5 proven ways to help with hives

Here are a few tips to help you get rid of hives by soothing and alleviating your symptoms.
Hives, or urticaria, are the body’s natural response to allergens, skin irritants or stress. When triggered, certain cells release histamine. Triggers may include:

• Medications
• Plants
• Insects
• Infection
• Excessive heat or cold
• Stress
• Exercise
• Alcohol, food or food additives

A hives outbreak can result in red welts or patches on the skin, often accompanied by itching and inflammation. They may even burn or sting. Your best bet is to identify the trigger and, if possible, try to minimize exposure or avoid altogether.

Here are some simple home remediesto help get rid of hives, along with some patience:

Run a clean cloth under cold water from a faucet or dip in a bowl of ice water. You can also use a bag of frozen vegetables or ice in a resealable plastic bag. If using ice, avoid direct contact with skin as it can cause damage. Create a buffer by wrapping an ice pack in a dry cloth. Apply the cold compress for 10 minute intervals to reduce swelling.

Colloidal oatmeal baths can provide relief from itching. Colloidal oatmeal is different from the oatmeal sold as a breakfast version of oatmeal. Grind plain old-fashioned oatmeal in a food processor until it becomes a fine powder. Add one to two cups of powder to a bath while running warm water. (Avoid hot water as it can further irritate the skin.)

The powder will dissolve in water, unlike oatmeal flakes, which settle at the bottom. Soak in the tub for about twenty minutes. If you don’t want to make your own colloidal oatmeal, you can find it in some over-the-counter bath products. Thanks to oatmeal’s anti-inflammatory properties, you should feel relief from itching, pain and swelling.

The cooling properties of corn starch are helpful in relieving symptoms of heat rash and hives. Dust corn starch powder on skin or make a paste using corn starch and warm water. Mix corn starch with warm water in a small bowl until a paste forms. Gently pat paste onto skin and let sit for 20–30 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. For larger areas, dissolve a cup of corn starch in a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes.

The aloe vera plant’s healing properties offer soothing relief from many skin irritants such as sunburn and hives. Apply aloe vera gel liberally to affected areas and repeat as needed.

There are lots of over-the-countermedications available to help get rid of hives. Oral antihistamines minimize allergic reactions but can have side effects such as drowsiness. Calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream can be applied topically to stop hives from itching. If over-the-counter options don’t work, a doctor can prescribe a stronger version.

Hives are frustrating though usually not life threatening. The above treatments should help get rid of them. Contact your doctor immediately if dizziness, wheezing, difficulty breathing or swallowing accompanies your hives.