Chronic Hives
Chronic hives, known medically as chronic urticaria, is a condition that causes blotchy, red, raised bumps (hives) and itching for unknown reasons. In order to be diagnosed with chronic urticaria, a person must have hives and itching off and on for at least six weeks.
Desloratadine is used to decrease the itching. It also helps decrease the hives' severity, how often they appear, and how long they last. Desloratadine can be used to treat chronic hives in adults and children six months of age and older.
How Does Desloratadine Work?
When you come into contact with something you're allergic to, a chain reaction begins inside your body. During this chain reaction, special cells release powerful chemicals. Some of these chemicals can trigger swelling of the nasal passages, leading to nasal congestion (a "stuffy" nose). Other chemicals, such as histamine, can cause sneezing, itching, and irritation.
Desloratadine is part of a class of drugs called antihistamines. As the name implies, desloratadine blocks the effects of histamine. This can help with relief of
allergy symptoms. However, since histamine is not involved with nasal congestion, it will not help open the nasal passages.
Desloratadine Uses in Children
Desloratadine is approved for use in children as young as six months of age for
hay fever symptoms and chronic hives, and in children two years of age and older for indoor allergy symptoms.
Off-Label Desloratadine Uses
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend desloratadine for something other than the conditions listed above. This is called an "
off-label" use. Some off-label desloratadine uses may include treatment of an unexplained long-term (chronic) cough or as part of
asthma treatment.
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