About Hives Eye Treatment

Hives are a common allergic reaction, usually a local reaction, which affects individuals who not only suffer from an allergy, but who have lupus, an infection or thyroid disease. The hives can occur on any region of the body, including the eyes. When these do appear around the eyes, it is important to know how to treat them around such a sensitive area.

Antihistamines 

Antihistamines are one of the more common treatments for hives around the eyes, especially since these drugs can be over-the-counter treatments that provide little side effects when compared to other options. Diphenhydramine, known by the brand name Benadryl, is frequently used to treat hives and other allergic reactions. These drugs have the possibility of having a mild sedative effect, so do not drive after you have taken it and never mix it with other sedative-like drugs/depressants or with alcohol.

Steroids

Prednisone is a steroid used to treat hives; however, it cannot be taken on a long-term basis. Be careful when taking prednisone or another corticosteroid, because these medicines weaken your body's immune system, resulting in your body being unable to fight certain infections. Steroids cause an increased weight gain, due to water retention. Make sure you tell your physician about any other conditions or medications you are on if you have an allergic reaction around the eye, because steroids are not safe for everyone. Your doctor may prescribe cortisone, an injectable steroid, to reduce swelling. Tell your physician if you have had one recently, because you can only have so many in a short period of time.

Epinephrine

You may be given epinephrine, an injectable adrenaline in the sympthomimetic agent family, to combat the swelling and irritation, although this only is given in severe reactions. Never take someone else's Epi-pen, because it can be dangerous for people who have various heart conditions or who are on certain medications, such as quinidine or moraine.