Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is the itchy bumps on your skin.
Its size can be very tiny to several inches wide. Multiple hives can even appear connected to form spacious bumps on the skin.
Usually, these bumps are red or pink.
Individual hives can last for a few hours to a week. In chronic Urticaria (UC) cases, when the old hives disappear, new ones appear again in the same skin area.
Warning: While starting any new treatment or diet, seek advice from your physician or any other qualified health provider.
Allergic reactions are the most common reason for Urticaria. Insect bites, colds, stress, medications, food chemicals, and many more can also cause it.
Foods, environmental factors, or cosmetics trigger the allergies that give rise to the hives. The patient should be aware of the allergenic factors and avoid them to prevent the occurrence of hives.
Overstressed persons are highly prone to get Urticaria on the skin.
Another major cause of this skin disease is bacterial and fungal infections that affect the skin.
Prominent symptoms of hives include:
- Itching;
- Hives spread or join together to form a large mass of reddish bumps;
- The bumps are usually red or pink with visibly raised edges;
- Regularly changes the appearance of the infected area;
- Recurrence of new bumps in the place of old ones is common.
Simple Way to Rid of Hives
If you are wondering how to get rid of hives fast, the solution is straightforward and practical.
Removing and curing hives within a day or two by applying natural remedies at home is easy. You must only consult a doctor to treat this skin ailment if you suffer from chronic Urticaria.
Let us now look at some of the best-known DIY solutions that effectively cure and prevent Urticaria.
1. Cool Compress
You can soothe and comfort the irritated skin by doing a cool compress on the affected areas.
This is beneficial for stopping itching and reducing the bumps. You can wet a washcloth in ice-cold water and lay it over your skin.
Alternatively, you can use the ice pack (do not place ice directly on the skin). If you do not have a formal ice pack, you can bundle the ice cubes in a towel and use it for compressing.
You can compress the ice on the affected areas 2-3 times daily.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an effective natural remedy for treating various skin diseases.
ACV contains acetic acid and beneficial bacteria that can help eliminate skin infections.
For curing the hives, you can mix an ounce of ACV in 2 ounces of thick cornstarch to make a thick paste. Apply this paste to the affected area of the skin.
Let the applied paste remain on the affected area for an hour before you rinse it off with cold water.
3. Red Alder Bark
Red Alder bark is a traditional remedy used for curing Urticaria.
Make herbal tea by brewing the alder bark and drinking it thrice daily.
You can also grind the bark into paste form and apply it directly to the affected areas of the skin.
The bark you use for making the tea must be clean and brewed in boiling water for 10 minutes.
4. Raw Oatmeal
The first step to achieving faster healing of Urticaria is to stop itching and picking the affected area.
Raw oatmeal treatment for hives helps in reducing itching and irritation.
Grind the uncooked oatmeal into powder; take half a bowl of oatmeal powder and add one tablespoon of baking soda.
Blend the mixture into a thick paste by adding the required water. Apply this paste on the affected areas of the skin and rinse off the paste after 20 minutes.
You can repeat this treatment twice or thrice a day for fast relief from hives.
5. Vitamin C
Allergic reactions can result in the release of histamine that triggers the symptoms of hives.
Vitamin C can reduce the release of histamine by the white blood cells and increase its detoxification.
Research shows that 1,000mg of vitamin C reduces blood histamine by approximately 20 percent, and 2,000mg reduces histamine by over 30 percent.
You can consume 1000mg Vitamin C supplement daily; this will help reduce the recurrence of hives, especially those caused by allergic reactions.
6. Stinging Nettle
Many natural remedies for various skin diseases usually have Stinging Nettle as a major ingredient.
The hair-like projections from stinging nettle leaves usually create a stinging effect on the skin that causes red rashes on the skin, similar to hives.
However, the leaf and root extracts of stinging nettle are an effective remedy for treating hives when they are consumed internally.
Take three doses of stinging nettle root extract daily for two weeks to get rid of hives. You can get the nettle root extract supplements from any Pharmaceutical store or purchase them from online vendors.
You can drink 2 cups of stinging nettle leaf extract tea to get fast relief from UC.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera gel is well known for its several benefits in fighting skin disorders and infections.
Applying Aloe Vera gel to the UC-affected areas instantly soothes and removes the itching and irritation.
Aloe vera gel also prevents possible inflammation from UC. It helps moisturize the skin that becomes dry from bumps caused by hives.
You can slice the fresh Aloe Vera leaves and rub them gently over the affected areas of the skin. For fast relief from UC, apply the treatment 3-5 times a day.
6. Essential Oils Bath Soak
Essential oils contain anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, and soothing properties that can instantly relieve irritation and itches caused by UC.
Peppermint, Lavender, Myrrh, Tea Tree, Lemon, German Chamomile, and Helichrysum are the essential oils that best manage UC.
Fill your bathtub with cold water and add 10-15 drops of essential oil blend; the most effective are Tea Tree Oil, Lavender, and Peppermint oils.
Soak your body, especially the UC-affected parts, in cold water treated with essential oils for 15 minutes. Repeat this treatment once a day to get quick relief from itching and irritation from hives.
8. Green Tea
Green tea contains catechins (a type of natural phenol) and antioxidants that help soothe and remove the symptoms of Urticaria.
You can choose fresh or dried green tea leaves for brewing the tea.
Consume 3-4 cups of green tea daily to prevent and heal UC.
9. Licorice Root Tea
Researchers have identified several healing substances in licorice, including compounds called flavonoids and various plant estrogens (phytoestrogens).
Licorice root contains many anti-depressant compounds. Possibly by its action on the adrenal glands, licorice can improve stress resistance, which is effective for preventing urticaria caused by stress.
Licorice tea has effective anti-inflammatory properties that effectively contain the inflammation caused by UC.
It is effective in eliminating allergic reactions that give rise to hives.
However, Licorice Root tea is not recommended for diabetes patients as this herb is very high in sugar.
You can make licorice tea by boiling the roots. Add 0.5 oz (=one tablespoon) of licorice root to a pot for every cup of water.
Adding 5 grams of cinnamon and ginger root to the licorice tea is good for added health benefits.
Drink one cup of licorice tea twice a day.
10. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is an astringent, anti-inflammatory compound produced from the leaves and bark of the North American witch hazel shrub.
The astringent properties in this shrub shrink the blood vessels beneath the skin. This helps restrict the body from releasing histamine that may cause hives on the skin. The irritation and burning associated with hives can be reduced using witch hazel.
Apply the witch hazel to the affected skin area; after 15 minutes, you can rinse off the application.
You can use a mixture of Aloe Vera gel and witch hazel for better results.
Regular Solutions for Hives
Most people prefer to use prescription medicines to get relief from hives. Many are unaware of the natural remedies for Urticaria or do not have the convenience to execute them.
If you have a severe Urticaria problem, you should consult a doctor. Let us look at some of the medical options and emergency treatments you can try to get rid of hives fast:
1. Get Emergency Services
In severe cases of Urticaria, some find difficulty in breathing. The patient experiences a feeling of throat getting closed, and forceful efforts are required to inhale and exhale. In such cases, the patient must be given emergency medical care and call an ambulance immediately.
Usually, the doctor administers an epinephrine injection that quickly reduces the swelling in the throat caused by hives.
2. Antihistamine for Hives
Antihistamine is the most popularly used prescription medicine for treating uricaria. This medicine is effective at reducing itching and swelling.
You can find antihistamines in brand names like Cetirizine, Fexofenadine, and Loratadine. The most commonly used over-the-counter antihistamine pill is the Diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
A person who takes the antihistamine pills usually feels sleepy; it is better to avoid driving or other work that requires intense concentration after taking this pill.
This medicine will not work to its fullest potential if the patient takes alcoholic drinks or smokes during the treatment period.
It is also not recommended for pregnant women and patients under complicated health conditions.
3. Corticosteroids for Hives
Corticosteroid is an alternative medicine to antihistamines, especially when the latter has failed to produce satisfactory results.
This medicine works by reducing the immune response of the patient. This treatment involves a 3 to 5-day regimen of Prednisolone.
Please note that patients with health issues such as glaucoma, diabetes, cataracts, or high blood pressure should not take this medicine without the approval of the physician.
Prolonged consumption of Corticosteroids may cause side effects like weight gain, insomnia, and mood alteration.
4. Cyclosporine for Urticaria
“Cyclosporine is effective and capable of inducing remission in chronic urticaria in both observational and randomized controlled trials.”
This medication suppresses the immune system, which reacts to the histamine to cause hives.
Regular intake of this medicine may cause side effects like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, headaches, kidney problems, and vulnerability to infections. It is best to limit the use of this medicine to a short-term period.
5. Alternatives to Antihistamines
Here are some of the commonly prescribed medicines instead of antihistamine medication.
- Menthol cream is an aqueous cream that is useful to cool the skin and help to relieve the itch.
- H2 antihistamines like antihistamines help narrow the blood vessels and reduce swelling and redness. It is not recommended for a prolonged period of use as it may cause side effects like diarrhea, headaches, and dizziness.
- Leukotriene is usually prescribed instead of corticosteroids as it has fewer side effects. The side effects include headaches and nausea.
6. Phototherapy
Some of the severe forms of hives respond to narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy.
It is usually done by exposing the hives-affected skin area to narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy for a few minutes.
This treatment requires several phototherapy sessions for one or two months; the disease is effectively healed.
Phototherapy therapy treatment, if repeated for too many sessions, may cause sunburn and increase the risk of getting skin cancer.
However, laser therapy used for hair or scar removal can make hives severe or cause fresh hives in some people.
Tips for Preventing Hives
You can prevent the occurrences of Urticaria by making necessary changes in your lifestyle habits and adopting other preventive measures.
1. If you have hives caused by allergies, try to avoid the conditions, substances, and insects that trigger the allergy. Some common allergenic agents that can produce rashes on the skin are pollen, mites, animal dander, latex, perfumes, cosmetics, sanitation products, etc.
2. You have to protect your skin against the stings and bites of insects; the chemicals that insects leave on the skin after biting can produce allergic reactions, causing hives. You can minimize the stings from bees and wasps by applying insect repellents to the skin.
3. Shield your skin from extreme temperature fluctuations caused by harsh environmental factors such as heat, cold, sunlight, and pressure on the skin.
4. Wear loose, soft clothing to keep your skin cool and dry. Avoid tight clothes that prevent the skin from breathing and hold sweat against your skin. Do not wear scratchy fabrics like wool and velvet dresses.
5. Reduce stress and tension through meditation, deep breathing, visualizing calming images, and regularly engaging in exercises and leisure activities.
6. Identify the particular diets that may be causing the Urticaria in you. Maintain a food diary to track the foods consumed each day, especially be mindful of the changes you have made from the usual food habits. Usually, foods with certain chemicals such as vasoactive amines, salicylates, caffeine, and alcohol are more likely to trigger hives.
7. Be watchful of the reactions caused by some medications that you may be having. If you think a particular medication is giving you hives, you should discuss the matter with your physician. Some common medicines that may cause Urticaria are penicillin, aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen, and blood pressure medicines.
8. Do a medical examination to determine whether your hives could be a symptom of another underlying health condition. Health issues like intestinal parasites, bacterial infections, viral infections, lupus, thyroid, Lymphoma, genetic disorders, and blood transfusions can cause hives.