I've had hives for two weeks, not sure what caused them, am I treating them correctly?

I keep reading to take Benadryl orally and use the cortisone creams but I tried that and neither was helping. So I switched to Predisolone (low dose steroid prescribed to me) and began using Benadryl topical ointments (extra strength). The hives were everywhere excluding my face and legs. They SEEM to be going away, the swelling is very limited, but the itching is persistent in some places. I've been using cool rags to avoid scratching. Am I doing this right? Are they going away or am I just treating the symptoms. I'm worried that as soon as I stop taking the steroids (only prescribed to me for ten days) the hives will return. Aren't they supposed to go as quickly as they come? Or could this be a process? I'm not sure what caused the reaction... sun exposure, using a new sleeping bag, a hair product, a new toothpaste... maybe stress? But I feel normal... not at all stressed.