Hives 101: Your common questions answered
Hives can be uncomfortable, but there’s no need to worry if you have itchy skin. We’ve scratched the surface for everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms and treatment of hives.
Hives, also known as urticaria, are those pink or red itchy rashes that can appear as blotches or raised lumps on the skin.
They are experienced by up to one in five1 of us at some stage of our lives.
Hives can typically appear suddenly and can migrate from one area of the body to another super quickly, sometimes in a matter of minutes.
While hives are usually just itchy and uncomfortable, they can be accompanied with a burning or stinging sensation.
So, what causes hives?
It turns out hives can be triggered by a wide range of things.
Allergic reactions to certain foods, medications, insect bites, or skin exposure to environmental allergens like certain plants or pet dander are common culprits.
It is important to remember that everyone’s triggers can be different, making it important to identify what has set off your particular case.
Taking the sting out of hives
When it comes to treating hives, the primary goal is to ease the itching, reduce inflammation and prevent further outbreaks.
Over-the-counter antihistamines like Telfast 180mg offer fast-acting relief for adults and children over 12 years old by blocking the histamine release responsible for hives.
Telfast tablets are designed to be quick and long-lasting, so that you can get back to your daily activities without the constant itch and irritation.
Through many clinical studies2, it’s been shown that Telfast significantly reduces itch severity, the number of wheals (raised red patches on the skin), and interference with the sleep and normal daily activities in patients with chronic hives.
For children aged six months and older, Telfast also offer an oral liquid option, providing speedy, non-drowsy 12-hour relief3 for hives.
Preventing Future Outbreaks
In addition to antihistamines, identifying and avoiding triggers is key.
Keeping a diary to track possible triggers can help pinpoint the underlying cause of your hives.
If stress is a trigger, try incorporating techniques like exercise, meditation, or deep breathing into your everyday routine.
Wearing loose-fitting clothing, using fragrance-free soaps and detergents, and avoiding hot showers or baths can all help reduce the risk of triggering hives.
This post is brought to you by Telfast. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
1Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, 2021, Hives (urticaria) Information for patients, consumers and carers, retrieved June 2023 from: https://www.allergy.org.au/images/pcc/ASCIA_PCC_Hives_Urticaria_2021.pdf
2Telfast Product Information (July 2021). Accessed June 2023. Available from https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2021-PI-01894-1&d=20230609172310101
3Telfast Product Information (July 2021). Accessed June 2023. Available from https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2021-PI-01894-1&d=20230609172310101
