Antihistamines for Hives Treatment

Hives is known as Urticaria medically. Hives are raised bumps on the skin that itch al lot. Hives are pale in the center and red around the edges. Hives usually occur in response to an allergic reaction. Hives are quite common and about20 percent of people get hives during their lifetime.

There are several ways to treat hives. Hives generally respond well to medicines. The best way to prevent hives is to avoid whatever triggered the hives.

Antihistamines are medicines that can help reduce hive symptoms. It helps relieve itching. Most people with hives respond well to antihistamines. In some cases, you will need more than one type of antihistamine to control your symptoms.

There are mainly two types of antihistamines. These antihistamines differ in cost, side effects, how well it helps relieve symptoms, how long the medicine lasts with positive results and whether you can use it with or without a prescription.

• Older antihistamines - These antihistamines show results very quickly and help well to reduce symptoms. The only problem with older histamines is that, you have to take a medicine at least 4 - 6 times a day. Also, with this type of antihistamines there are side effects which can bother the patient with hives. Side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, double or blurred vision, or difficulty in urinating.
• Newer antihistamines - Newer antihistamines on the other hand have fewer side effects. Also, newer antihistamines have to be taken usually once or twice per day.

Some of the best antihistamines that can help relieve hive symptoms are listed below:

1. Benadryl - Benadryl is an antihistamine that can be bought both as an over-the-counter medication and as a prescription medication. Its medical term is diphenhydramine. Many physicians believe that this is the best antihistamine medicine available in treating hives and allergy symptoms. The side effect of this medicine is drowsiness and hence it is better to consume it at night.
2. Zyrtec - Zyrtec is another well-known antihistamine. Zyrtec is one of the newer antihistamines which can be purchases over the counter. It works well for many allergies and also helps relive hive symptoms. Zyrtec is also known by the name of Cetirizine.
3. Atarax - Another term for Atarax is Hydroxyzine. This antihistamine can be bought on prescription. Once consumed, the medicine starts working in thirty minutes and will continue working for four to six hours. Medicine lasts for a longer period. This drug is available in the form of tablet, capsule and syrup.
4. Periactin - Periactin is an older antihistamine and can be bought through prescription. It is also known as Cyproheptadine. Physicians prescribe it for a number of allergy symptoms and it can be used to treat hives as well.
5. Clarinex - Clarinex is one of the newer antihistamines available in the market and it can be bought through a prescription. Clarinex is used to treat many allergy symptoms including hives.