Home Symptoms Urticaria (Hives)

Urticaria (Hives) — what to take?

Urticaria = a rash of erythematous, itchy, migratory plaques that appear and disappear within hours. Acute (under 6 weeks) or chronic (over 6 weeks).

Also known as: welts itchy rash wheals on the skin
5 recommended OTC drugs
8,260 pharmacies available

In short: urticaria (hives) usually improves with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. On HartaFarmacii there are 5 commonly used options: Cetirizina, Loratadina, Desloratadina, Bilastina, Hidroxizina. For each one you can compare the price across the Dr. Max, Tei, Catena and HelpNet chains and see which of the 8,260 pharmacies near you has it in stock, with prices updated daily. OTC treatment is suitable for mild, short-lived forms. See a doctor if signs such as swelling of the lips, tongue, throat; dyspnea, wheezing appear. This information is for general guidance only, is not medical advice and does not replace a specialist consultation — for a diagnosis, or if symptoms persist or worsen, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for urticaria (hives)

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat
  • Dyspnea, wheezing
  • Hypotension, feeling faint
  • Urticaria after a new food/medication
  • Duration over 6 weeks (chronic)

Causes

Allergies (foods, medications, insects), infections, physical factors (pressure, cold, heat, exertion, sun), autoimmune, idiopathic (in 70% of chronic urticaria the cause is not identified).

OTC Treatment

Non-sedating antihistamines are the first line — loratadine, cetirizine, bilastine, fexofenadine, desloratadine. In chronic urticaria the dose may be quadrupled (under medical supervision).

Sedating antihistamines in the evening (hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine) help when itching prevents sleep.

Montelukast (Rx), omalizumab (Rx, biologic) — in refractory chronic urticaria.

Angioedema

Subcutaneous/mucosal edema, often associated with urticaria — lips, eyelids, tongue. Laryngeal angioedema with dyspnea is a medical EMERGENCY — adrenaline may be needed.

What to avoid

  • NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen) can worsen urticaria in some people.
  • Alcohol, excessive heat, intense exertion as triggers.
  • Foods rich in histamine (aged cheeses, red wine, smoked fish) in sensitive individuals.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for urticaria (hives)

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Search the pharmacy

Medicines for urticaria (hives)

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for urticaria (hives)

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For urticaria (hives) most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices on the comparator page first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for urticaria (hives) runs over weeks.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Mâncărime

Mâncărimea (pruritul) e una dintre cele mai frecvente probleme dermatologice. Cauze: piele uscată, alergii, dermatită, boli sistemice (tiroidă, ficat, rinichi).

 Symptom

Alergie

Alergia e un răspuns imun exagerat la substanțe în mod normal inofensive (polen, praf, alimente, medicamente). Se manifestă cu mâncărime, urticarie, rinită, astm, anafilaxie.

 Condition

Dermatită atopică

Dermatita atopică e boală cronică inflamatorie cutanată cu prurit, uscăciune, eczeme recurente. Apare în contextul triadei atopice (astm, rinita alergică). Debut frecvent în copilărie.

Frequently asked

What else do you want to know?

How long does urticaria last?
Each plaque lasts under 24h. The complete episode — from hours to weeks. Chronic urticaria — over 6 weeks, requires evaluation.
What triggers urticaria?
Foods (seafood, nuts, strawberries), medications (penicillin, NSAIDs), infections, stress, cold, pressure, exertion. In chronic cases it often cannot be identified.
The antihistamine isn't helping — what do I do?
Consult your doctor — the dose can be increased (x2-4) or combined with antileukotrienes, and in severe cases omalizumab.
Urticaria after exertion — what is it?
Cholinergic urticaria — small plaques with sweating/exertion/heat. Antihistamine + avoidance of triggers.

See also

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