The Pharmacy Care section is a sponsored resource, however, the sponsor has no influence over the content, which is editorially independent.
Pharmacy Care provides information about self-care, that is how to treat minor medical conditions with products available at the pharmacy. Find out how your pharmacist can help you to manage minor conditions yourself.
If you wish, myDr can notify you via email when this article is updated. Your notification settings can be changed at anytime by updating your member profile.
This feature can only be used when you register. Not a myDr member? Register now, it's free and takes only a minute!
Here you can increase the font to your preferred size. This setting will be saved temporarily, however if you are a registered member, this can be saved into your personalised profile.
Urticaria is a skin reaction that can appear as an itchy, red rash anywhere on your body. It is characterised by wheals (hives) which are red, raised, swollen patches of skin. Urticaria can be short-lived (24 to 48 hours) or can last longer.
Urticaria can be caused by an allergic or non-allergic reaction. Some people may have an allergic reaction to drugs, food (e.g. shellfish or nuts), preservatives or insect bites. Other people may have a non-allergic reaction to food, food additives or medicines.
Urticaria can also be caused by infection (e.g. sinusitis) or heat, cold, or pressure from elastic in clothing. However, the cause of urticaria is not always identified.
Symptoms of urticaria
wheals are itchy, raised and swollen and can appear anywhere on your body
wheals can be small or large, be different shapes, or they can change shape
wheals can last for hours or days
heat or stress, such as emotional upset, may worsen urticaria
other symptoms, such as fever or swelling on the lips, eyelids, tongue, and throat may be present and require medical attention
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
Seek medical advice urgently if you have any of the following symptoms:
marked swelling, especially in the face, eyes, lips or tongue
wheezing, tight chest or difficulty breathing or swallowing
See your pharmacist or medical professional if:
urticaria lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours
urticaria comes back after treatment
urticaria covers a large area of your body
you have fever or feel generally unwell
urticaria does not respond to treatment, such as an oral antihistamine product
the person with urticaria is a child aged under 12 or is elderly
you are pregnant or breastfeeding; some medicines may not be suitable
you have other medical conditions, such as asthma or eczema, or take other medicines
you have allergies to any medicines or have started taking a new medicine
Treatment Tips
try to identify what triggered the urticaria, such as a food or medicine, and avoid it if possible
if you have a severe reaction, you may need to carry an EpiPen (a PHARMACIST ONLY product) and wear a medical alert bracelet (such as Medic-Alert); ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information
if aspirin appears to trigger urticaria, see a doctor before using any other medicine, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
a cool or tepid (slightly warm) shower may be soothing to the rash, but heat may make the itch worse
avoid tight clothes, as pressure may worsen the wheals and itch
cool, moist compresses and moisturising creams, such as aqueous cream, can soothe a rash
Treatment Options
Oral antihistamines
urticaria is caused by the release of histamine in your body
antihistamines block the action of histamine and relieve itching. There are two main types of antihistamine:
older sedating antihistamines that cause drowsiness
newer, non-sedating antihistamines that do not typically cause drowsiness
these products may help if itching is severe and interferes with your sleep
these products may cause drowsiness, sometimes the next day, so it is important you do not drive or operate machinery, and that you avoid alcohol
these products are not recommended in infants under two years old; check product directions for other age groups
sedating antihistamines are not suitable for everyone; check with your pharmacist
if you have other medical conditions, such as glaucoma, epilepsy or prostate problems, or you take antidepressants, check with your pharmacist before taking
these can help relieve total body itchiness and redness
non-sedating antihistamines may rarely cause drowsiness; do not drive or operate machinery if you are affected
Anti-itch and healing/soothing preparations
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. Calamine Lotion, Eurax, Pinetarsol, SoloSite Gel
these products soothe skin irritations and promote healing
tar products help relieve skin itching but can discolour clothes
calamine lotion has a soothing, cooling effect but it may dry skin, so avoid it if you have eczema. An alternative option that is not drying to the skin is SoloSite Gel
Topical menthol 0.5–1% in aqueous cream
[PHARMACIST ONLY]
this cream is moisturising and can have a cooling, soothing effect
Urticaria due to heat rash or sweating
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. 3B Action Cream
contains an antiperspirant in an emollient base to prevent (not treat) chafing and urticaria from heat rash and sweating
More Information
Availability of medicines
GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.
PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.
This web site is intended for Australian residents and is not a sbstitute for independent professional advice. Information and interactions contained in ths Web site are for infomation purposes only and are not intended ot be used to diagnose,treat , cure or prevent any disease.Further , the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information available on this web site cannot be guaranteed. UBM Medica Australia Pty Ltd, its affiliates and their respective servants and agents do not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incured by use of or relance on the information made available via or throught myDr whether arising from negligence or otherwise.
See Privacy Policy and Disclaimer.
