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Suggest Treatment For Hives On The Face And Neck
Question: My roomates face had red welts all over it and his neck .. hasnt changed his routine and it showed up in the last 30 min
Pic attached
Pic attached
Brief Answer:
Hives
Detailed Answer:
Hello -
I looked at the picture and this looks like hives (urticaria). If he is breathing ok and no sensation of swelling of his mouth or throat, he can treat this by taking an antihistamine. Choices are Benadryl (diphenhydramine) 50 mg every 6-8 hrs, or Zyrtec (cetirizine) 10 mg (and if it doesn't help enough, in a few hours take a second one).
So what caused this reaction? We don't always know. Sometimes it can come on from an allergic reaction such as from an insect bite, from a food such as selfish or nuts or peanuts, sometimes from medications, food coloring, exposure to an animal, etc. And it can happen for the first time even in someone who never was allergic to a substance before. Laundry dryer sheets, soap or detergent with fragrance, etc.
It can also happen as an immunological response to a virus or other things.
Antihistamine is the mainstay of treatment, but if it does not respond adequately to antihistamine, or if he notices it is spreading, worsening or difficulty with his breathing, then he should go in to be seen where likely they will give him a short course of corticosteroids such as Prednisone, which will turn down his immune reaction.
So - go get some Benadryl, and if that doesn't do the trick then go in to an urgent care or ER.
Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Hives
Detailed Answer:
Hello -
I looked at the picture and this looks like hives (urticaria). If he is breathing ok and no sensation of swelling of his mouth or throat, he can treat this by taking an antihistamine. Choices are Benadryl (diphenhydramine) 50 mg every 6-8 hrs, or Zyrtec (cetirizine) 10 mg (and if it doesn't help enough, in a few hours take a second one).
So what caused this reaction? We don't always know. Sometimes it can come on from an allergic reaction such as from an insect bite, from a food such as selfish or nuts or peanuts, sometimes from medications, food coloring, exposure to an animal, etc. And it can happen for the first time even in someone who never was allergic to a substance before. Laundry dryer sheets, soap or detergent with fragrance, etc.
It can also happen as an immunological response to a virus or other things.
Antihistamine is the mainstay of treatment, but if it does not respond adequately to antihistamine, or if he notices it is spreading, worsening or difficulty with his breathing, then he should go in to be seen where likely they will give him a short course of corticosteroids such as Prednisone, which will turn down his immune reaction.
So - go get some Benadryl, and if that doesn't do the trick then go in to an urgent care or ER.
Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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