- Online Doctor
Hives
Hives treatment available online today
In order to treat your hives, consult with one of our board-certified doctors online today to prescribe medications to get relief from itching. Get a new prescription to treat hives or refill an existing prescription today.
Book an appointmentIn order to treat your hives, consult with one of our board-certified doctors online today to prescribe medications to get relief from itching. Get a new prescription to treat hives or refill an existing prescription today.
Medication services available for adults and kids (3+)
Top quality, board-certified doctors
Insurance accepted, but not required
Prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy*
*Prescriptions provided at doctor’s discretion
We accept these insurance plans and many more!
Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Otherwise, new patient visits are $129, and follow-ups are only $69 for members.
Don’t see your provider listed? Email [email protected] or call (888) 564-4454 to talk to a PlushCare specialist.
3 simple steps to get treated for hives today
Step 1
Book a hives treatment appointment.
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Talk to your medical provider regarding your hives symptoms.
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
Pick up a prescription for hives.
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Hives treatment pricing details
How pricing works
To request hives treatment and get a new prescription or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.
Paying with insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
Copay
For all visits
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price with insurance
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
- We accept these insurance plans and many more:
Paying without insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
$129
Repeats only $69
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price without insurance
Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $69 for active members.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Learn about hives
Hives, also called urticaria, are a skin reaction that causes itchy bumps or raised patches to suddenly appear on the skin. They happen when your body has an allergic reaction to an allergen. Hives can occur due to an autoimmune condition and systemic disease.
There are two types of hives: acute hives and chronic hives. While acute hives usually clear up within 24 hours, chronic hives last for more than 6 weeks. Sometimes, chronic hives can return for months or years.
Hives causes
In most cases, hives are caused by an allergic reaction to an allergen. When your body comes into contact with an allergen, your immune system releases histamines—chemicals made by allergy cells and immune cells that your body produces to get rid of an allergen.
During allergic reactions, the body may respond to the histamines with hives and swelling. Most hives clear up within 24 hours, but acute hives can sometimes turn into a chronic issue (chronic urticaria).
The skin reaction can also be triggered by:
Heat or cold
Sunlight
Pressure on the skin from tight clothing, belts, or sock bands
Stress
Medical conditions, such as infections, autoimmune conditions, or systemic diseases
Hives symptoms
The symptoms of hives may vary from person to person depending on the severity of an allergic reaction. The most noticeable symptom of hives is raised welts that appear on the skin. Welts can be red, or they may appear the same color as your skin.
Hives can be small and round, ring-shaped, or large and randomly shaped. They're often itchy, and they tend to appear in patches over the affected area. You might also notice your hives growing larger, changing shape, or spreading to different areas.
Hives may disappear or reappear over the course of an allergic reaction. Most hives clear up within 24 hours. Hives often turn white when pressed, and they may form together to create a larger skin rash.
Hives can occur anywhere on the body. Seek emergency care or call 911 if hives occur around your throat or tongue, or if you have difficulty breathing along with severe hives.
How to treat hives
If you have hives, the first step to getting treatment is to receive a diagnosis. In most cases, your doctor will be able to diagnose hives from a physical exam. If you schedule an online appointment, your doctor can diagnose hives through a video consultation.
Your doctor may perform blood tests or skin tests to determine the cause of your hives, especially if they're related to an allergy.
Hives usually don't require prescription treatment unless they're caused by an allergy or medical condition. If needed, your doctor can prescribe hives treatment online for allergies or health problems.
If you're experiencing a mild skin reaction, your doctor may recommend:
Taking over-the-counter antihistamine medications, such as diphenhydramine or cetirizine
Avoiding irritating the area
Avoiding hot water, which may further irritate your skin
Taking a lukewarm bath with colloidal oatmeal or baking soda
Hives medications
In most cases, acute hives go away on their own without treatment. However, your doctor may recommend medications for hives if they're caused by allergies or health problems. Effective medications for hives include:
Allergy medications
Antihistamine medications block histamine's effects on your body, relieve itching, and prevent allergic reactions. Fast-acting antihistamines can help you reduce allergy symptoms. If you have a severe allergic reaction, your doctor may recommend a daily over-the-counter or prescription medication.
Allergy shots
For chronic urticaria, your doctor may recommend monthly injections of omalizumab (Xolair). Allergy shots block your body's allergy antibody from causing allergic reactions.
Epinephrine
Severe allergic reactions and swelling can lead to anaphylaxis, a threatening medical condition. If you experience severe reactions, your doctor may prescribe an epinephrine injection (EpiPen) to reduce swelling.
Oral steroids
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, can help relieve itching, swelling, and other uncomfortable symptoms of hives.
How to prevent hives
In most cases, simple lifestyle changes can help you prevent hives from recurring. If you have allergies, take steps to identify your triggers. When you know what substances are likely to cause a severe allergic reaction, you can avoid possible exposure to those substances.
Some common triggers of hives include:
Certain foods, such as peanuts, eggs, and shellfish
Medications, such as antibiotics, aspirin, and ibuprofen
Insect bites or stings
Sudden increases or decreases in body temperature due to showers, sweating, or anxiety
Viral or bacterial infections, including the common cold
Pet dander, pollen, and plants
When to see a doctor for hives
In addition to hives, some people develop swelling deep in their skin. Swelling often happens around the lining of the mouth/lips and eyelids, but it can also affect other areas of the body. This swelling is called angioedema.
In most cases, angioedema is harmless. However, hives and angioedema can be early signs of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening medical condition. Seek immediate medical attention or visit the nearest emergency room if you experience:
Difficulty breathing
Swelling in your mouth or throat
In addition, talk to your doctor if your hives don't go away within a few days. If you've experienced hives symptoms for more than 6 weeks, you may have chronic hives.
Related conditions to hives
Anaphylaxis
Angioedema
Rheumatoid arthritis
Thyroid disease
Type 1 diabetes
Hives treatment FAQs
What are the symptoms of hives?
The hallmark symptom of hives is welts that appear on the skin. While hives often resemble insect bites, they're different in a few ways:
Hives can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, arms, chest, legs, and neck. Over the course of your skin reaction, you might notice your hives change shape, join together, or disappear. Sometimes, hives can spread to different parts of the body.
Hive bumps, which are red- or skin-colored welts with clear edges, tend to appear suddenly and disappear relatively quickly. In most cases, hives disappear completely in 24 hours without treatment.
When you press the center of a red welt, it may turn white for a few seconds—a process called "blanching."
Hives can happen in isolation, or they can be related to significant health problems. They can be small and round, ring-shaped, or large and randomly shaped. Hives are itchy and may feel painful to the touch.How do you treat hives?
Treatment will depend on the cause of your hives. If your hives are caused by an allergic reaction, your doctor may recommend antihistamine medications to relieve itching and reduce swelling.
Over-the-counter and prescription medications, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and loratadine (Claritin), can help reduce allergy symptoms. For more severe reactions, your doctor may recommend corticosteroids or epinephrine injections.
Meanwhile, if your hives aren't related to allergies or health problems, you won't need any treatment. Mild cases of hives typically disappear within 24 hours without any treatment.
If you notice any symptoms of hives, it's important to schedule an online consultation with your doctor. Because skin rashes and welts can have many causes, including significant health problems, early intervention is essential. After your doctor has diagnosed your hives, they can recommend the best treatment option.
Are hives a serious problem?
Although most cases of hives are mild, hives can be an early symptom of a severe (and potentially life-threatening) allergic reaction.
If you think your hives or angioedema (swelling) was caused by a known allergy to food, medication, or another allergen, it's important to monitor your symptoms. Seek emergency care or call 911 if you experience:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Nausea or abdominal pain
Swelling around your tongue, lips, mouth, nose, or throat