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Urticaria - Management
How should I treat a first episode of urticaria?
- Treatment is not needed if the episode is mild; acute urticaria is normally self-limiting, and is not serious or infectious.
- If symptomatic treatment is needed:
- Offer a non-sedating antihistamine to control daytime symptoms.
- Consider giving an additional sedative antihistamine at night if the itch is interfering with sleep.
- For severe symptoms:
- Give a short course of oral corticosteroids (e.g. prednisolone 40 mg daily for 3–5 days) in addition to the oral antihistamine.
- If rebound symptoms occur after a short course of corticosteroids seek specialist advice. Repeat courses of steroids are not recommended.
In depth
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