Chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness on one side, a fit or heavy bleeding needs help now, not an appointment.

112Any emergency108Ambulance102Pregnancy and newborn
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Skin and hair

Sudden allergic swelling or hives

Also called allergy, hives, swelling allergy, chehre par sujan, sherp pitti

What it meansSafe at homeDo not doSee a doctorWarning signs
This can be a medical emergency. If it is happening right now, call 112 or 108, or get to the nearest hospital. Do not wait for an appointment and do not drive yourself.

What this means

An allergic reaction can cause raised itchy welts (hives) or sudden swelling. Most settle, but swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat with breathing difficulty is a life threatening emergency.

Safe to do at home

  • Stop and avoid the suspected trigger, such as a food or medicine
  • Apply a cool compress to itchy skin
  • Keep calm and watch closely for any breathing or throat symptoms

Please do not do this alone

  • Do not take a medicine again that you suspect caused the reaction
  • Do not wait if the lips, tongue or throat start to swell
  • Do not take other people's allergy injections

Book a consultation if

  • You get repeated hives or swelling
  • Reactions follow a clear trigger you need help to identify
  • Mild reactions are becoming more frequent

Get help immediately if

  • Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
  • Difficulty breathing, wheezing or a tight throat
  • Dizziness, fainting or a widespread reaction after a food, sting or medicine

The right doctor for this

Dermatologist (Skin Specialist)

This is the specialist who sees this symptom most often and can examine you properly. If you are not sure, a general physician is always a safe place to start and will refer you onward if you need it.

Consult a Dermatologist (Skin Specialist)Start with a General Physician

Get care for this

Doctors and care for sudden allergic swelling or hives

Verified Teleprac doctors you can see online or in a clinic, lab tests with home sample collection, and genuine medicines delivered to your door.

See all symptoms

How to use this page. It explains what a symptom usually means, so that you can decide whether to watch it, book a consultation or get help now. It does not diagnose you, it does not know your age, your pregnancy or your other medicines, and it cannot replace being examined. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own.

Consult a doctorDermatologist

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Emergency numbers in India

Save these in your phone now, not when you need them. Tap any number to call it.

112Any emergencyOne number for police, fire and ambulance across India108AmbulanceFree emergency ambulance in most states and union territories102Pregnancy and newbornAmbulance for mothers and babies in most states14416Mental health supportTele MANAS, free counselling every hour of the day, many languages1800 116 117Poisoning or overdoseNational Poisons Information Centre, AIIMS New Delhi1098Child in distressChildline India, free and confidential

Where to read more

Public health sources written for patients rather than for doctors, and kept up to date.

Ministry of Health and Family WelfareOfficial Indian health programmes, advisories and public guidanceWorld Health Organization health topicsGlobal fact sheets written for the public, on hundreds of topicsNHS health A to ZPlain language pages on symptoms, conditions, tests and treatmentsMedlinePlusPatient information from the United States National Library of MedicineTele MANASIndia's national mental health support service, free and available all day

Important: Everything in Teleprac patient resources is general health education. It does not give you a diagnosis and it cannot replace examination by a qualified doctor, because it does not know your age, your reports, your pregnancy or the other medicines you take. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own. Teleprac Healthcare is not liable for decisions made on the basis of this information. In an emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital immediately.