Hives treatment, reviewed by a pharmacist
A short online consultation, a clinician-led prescription, and treatment delivered discreetly to your door. No GP visit needed.
- Answer a few quick questions about your symptoms
- Get a prescription from a UK clinician if suitable
- Treatment delivered discreetly to your door
Recognise the symptoms?
- Raised, itchy red or skin-coloured welts (wheals) that can appear anywhere on the body
- Patches that change shape, move around, or come and go within hours
- Swelling that may sting or burn as well as itch
- Individual patches usually clearing within 24 hours, though new ones can appear
- Symptoms that may be triggered by heat, exercise, stress, or certain foods
- Episodes lasting from a few days to several weeks
How it works
Answer a few quick questions
Tell us about your symptoms and medical history in a short online consultation.
Reviewed by a UK clinician
A GPhC-registered pharmacist checks your answers and, if appropriate, issues a prescription.
Delivered to your door
Your treatment is dispensed and posted out in discreet, plain packaging.
Common triggers
Hives can be set off by a range of everyday triggers, though in many cases no clear cause is ever found.
Food or drink
Insect bites or stings
Certain medicines
Stress
Heat or temperature change
When to seek urgent help
Ordinary hives are usually harmless and settle on their own or with treatment. However, call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you or the person affected has swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, wheezing, dizziness, or collapse, as these can be signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and need emergency care. See a GP if your hives last longer than 6 weeks, keep coming back, don't respond to treatment, or are accompanied by fever, joint pain, or feeling generally unwell, as these may need further investigation.
FAQs
Hives happen when the skin releases histamine, often as an allergic or irritant reaction, though in many cases, especially chronic hives, no clear trigger is ever found.
No, hives cannot be passed from one person to another.
Acute hives last under 6 weeks and often relate to a specific trigger. Chronic hives last longer than 6 weeks and may need ongoing management.
You'll describe your symptoms, how long you've had them, and any possible triggers. A UK clinician reviews this to decide on suitable treatment.
This service is intended for adults. Children with hives should be seen by a GP or pharmacist in person.
Acute hives often settle within a few days to a couple of weeks, with or without treatment, though some cases take longer.
If a specific trigger is identified, avoiding it can help. For chronic or unexplained hives, your clinician can advise on ongoing management.
Ready to get relief?
Complete a free online consultation today and let a UK clinician recommend the right treatment for you.
Get Started