May 2016 Moms

Hives/Class C meds

I have been battling hives basically all over my body for the past 2 weeks. They started under my lovely, ginormous boons and my OB thought it was yeast. Almost one week on that cream/powder combo they started spreading everywhere.

I went to the dermatologist on Friday and he said it's not yeast just bad case of hives. He prescribed a hydrocortisone cream and a steroid cream to use twice a day. They are giving me NO relief. I am still up all night itching. They are both class C meds so I am hesitant to use them especially if they aren't working.

The dermatologist also said that almost anything can cause hives and sometimes women just get them from being pregnant. Anyone else have this in prior pregnancies?? Any over the counter or homeopathic remedies you ladies have used for hives?? I am only 24 weeks and to think that I will have hives for the remaider of this pregnancy is almost unbearable.

Re: Hives/Class C meds

  • Pharmacist here: don't worry about them being class C meds. They're pretty much not absorbed into the body at all. As long as you're not using large amount on a large area and for a prolonged time. There are plenty of women using cortisone based creams for conditions like eczema and psoriasis during pregnancy. They're essentially considered safe. Just like steroid inhalers for asthma. You might be better off trying something like Benadryl tablets for the itching instead if the cortisone isn't helping. Other than that you don't really have many other options. Also homeopathy is basically just water...it won't do anything, don't waste your money.
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  • I have severe allergies and get allergy shots I have been told by my doctor that Claritin and Zyrtec are ok to take but not the decongestant versions and not Allegra. You might check w/ your doc or pharmacist to see if you can take Claritin or Zyrtec. For hives and itchiness I like to take warm milk and oatmeal baths (yup the milk and oats in your kitchen added to your warm bath water and soak 20-30 min) really helps me :)
  • I had a severe allergic reaction to a new box of my usual prenatals and my doctor also recommended a steroid cream and Benadryl/Claratin. I opted not to use the cream and used Claratin, and I felt noticeable relief immediately. Hope you feel better soon!
  • I take Allegra for my hives, my skin has been getting sooo itchy... Sometimes even in response to temperature changes! My doctor said it was fine, I take half a tablet most days and it works just as well.
  • TunieBeeTunieBee member
    edited January 2016
    Allergy NP here--are you taking an antihistamine? Claritin or Zyrtec? Benadryl works well but can be quite sedating so I would recommend Claritin or Zyrtec. How about Ranitidine? (usually use for acid reflux but blocks histamine 2 receptors and is useful for hives). You may end up needing multiple oral antihistamines (some work better for people that others and some combos work better than others). If the issue is ongoing, ask your healthcare provider about Singulair as well. I wouldn't worry about the topicals being class C, they are so minimally systemically absorbed (and actually oral steroids and generally considered ok in pregnancy if you need them, women going through fertility treatments often take them to reduce inflammation). Hives suck.  GL! 






  • Have you been eating a lot of something? Or maybe using a beauty product that has lots of fragrance? Might be a new allergy you've developed.
    Benadryl is safe for pregnant ladies, so I'd monitor your diet and beauty products and take a small amount of Benadryl to help with the hives.
  • I was diagnosed with chronic hives a few years ago, they come and go and fortunately haven't appeared during pregnancy. I would do a combination of hydrocortisone cream and 1/2 of a. zyryec (a full oneone makes me sleepy/weird) or other antihistamine. Loose clothing also helped me as they usually started at pressure points (pants waist or bra band). The antihistamines really help and seem to almost hit a "reset" button and the hives stay away for awhile. I'm so sorry you have to deal with hives. It's really frustrating not knowing why they appear.
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