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Your skin serves as a protective shield for delicate parts of the body, and is susceptible to a variety of medical ordeals, such as bumpy irritation and rashes. One of these rashes is hives – also known in medical circles as urticaria. Fortunately, home remedies for hives can help control symptoms and make the condition easier to bear.

What is Hives?

Hives consists of an outbreak of bumps (swollen and pale) that appear on your skin without warning. Sometimes, your body reacts to something (like an allergen) while other times there is no explanation. Hives can emerge on any part of the body, including the face, ears, throat, lips and even your tongue.

The size of hives varies. Some are the size of a pencil eraser, while others are as large as a dinner plate [1]. When hives join together, they create larger areas called plaques. The reaction can last for hours or for up to one day before gradually disappearing.

Causes and Symptoms

Histamine is a chemical that specialized cells release along your blood vessels. This chemical plays an important role in the development of hives. Your body responds to its presence and as a result, blood plasma escapes from small blood vessels in the skin. Histamine release can take place during allergic reactions, insect stings, exposure to sunlight, when taking medications, and as a response to chemicals found in certain foods.

Depending on the type of hives you encounter, the causes and symptoms vary [2].

• Acute urticaria lasts less than six weeks and is most commonly caused after you eat a certain food, take medication (such as aspirin, codeine, and ibuprofen), or suffer an infection. Nuts, chocolate, fish, tomatoes, eggs, fresh berries, and milk are common culprits. Pollen and pet dander have been known to trigger an acute case of hives. Sickness and disease (such as lupus, mononucleosis, and emotional stress) can cause hives.

• Chronic urticaria lasts more than six weeks and is typically more difficult to pinpoint. A patient may suffer muscle soreness, shortness of breath, vomiting, and diarrhea as part of the hives. The lungs, muscles, and gastrointestinal tract may also become affected.

• Physical urticaria appears with direct physical stimulation of the skin. Sweating, pressure, vibration, sun exposure, heat, coldness, and exercise can cause this type of hives.

• If you scratch or firmly rub the skin and encounter hives, you are experiencing a condition known as dermatographism.

Hives Home Remedies

When hives is most serious, you will experience dizziness, wheezing, tightness in the chest, swollen facial features, and have difficulty breathing. It is highly suggested to seek medical attention for these kinds of symptoms. For mild and average cases, consider the following home remedies for hives to speed up healing and encourage swelling to disappear:

a) Aloe Vera:

When applied to the skin, aloe vera gel reduces inflammation, cools the skin, relieves itching, as well as eases redness, stinging sensations and pain. Aloe vera gel also offers a protective coating for skin plagued with hives.

b) Pineapple:

The bromelain found in pineapple is said to offer more effective anti-inflammatory properties than some commercial drugs. The chemical decreases allergic reactions and helps alleviate the irritation of hives. Healing also speeds up when pineapple is consumed or applied directly to the skin.

c) Cool Compress:

Apply cool compresses or a wet cloth to affected skin to enjoy temporary relief.

d) Cool Bath:

Soak in a cool bath to ease the discomfort of hives. Avoid taking hot baths, which only causes itching to worsen.

e) Air Conditioner:

Turn on the air conditioner when working or sleeping to create a more comfortable environment.

f) Lightweight Clothing:

Forego heavy clothing choices that can brush against the skin and cause further irritation. Choose lightweight clothes that fit loosely.

g) Herbal Tea:

Some people develop hives associated with emotional stress. Herbal tea is an effective way to calm the nerves. Choose chamomile, peppermint, catnip or passion flower varieties, which possess sedating properties. A supertea remedy for hives may include one tablespoon each of tarragon, basil, chamomile, fennel, and oregano. Add the ingredients to a jar and fill with five cups of boiling water. Cover the jar and store in the refrigerator. Heat one cup of tea and drink three times per day.

h) Green Tea:

Treat chronic cases of hives by drinking one cup of green tea for two times per day.

i) Oats:

Soothe hives by taking an oatmeal bath. Fill an old sock with old-fashioned oatmeal (like Quaker Oats). While filling your tub with water, place the sock in the path of water so that the contents of the sock can enter your bath. You may also add finely ground oatmeal to your bathwater, but it must be powdery so you don’t clog your bath drain.

j) Ginger:

Cut around ½ pound of fresh ginger into chunks and add to one gallon of hot water in a large pot. Allow the blend to simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the mixture to your bath water and soak your body for at least 30 minutes.

k) Turmeric:

The curcurnin found in turmeric works towards stimulating the natural anti-inflammatory corticosteroids found in the body. The spice is an effective antihistamine and antioxidant that can help treat a case of hives.

l) Parsley:

Eat raw parsley or add to fresh juices to slow down the secretion of histamine that causes hives.

m) Lavender:

Calm and soothe hives by applying lavender essential oil directly to affected skin.

n) Acupressure:

There is a point on the trapezius muscle (which runs between the neck and shoulder) located midway the back that is said to offer relief from hives. Some people have deeply massaged this point and enjoyed quick results.

o) Ice:

Rub an ice cube over skin affected with hives. Coldness shrinks blood vessels and prevents the swelling and release of histamine associated with the condition.

p) Calamine Lotion:

If you have calamine lotion in the bathroom cabinet, you’re in luck. Best known for treating poison ivy, the lotion can also provide temporary relief for the itchiness of hives.

q) Witch Hazel:

The astringent properties of witch hazel can keep blood vessels from leaking histamine. Chill the liquid for better results.

r) Milk of Magnesia:

Alkaline substances can help ease itching. Directly apply milk of magnesia to hives.

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