10 Effective Home Remedies For Hives

To say that an itch can be frustrating is an understatement. Yes, as much as you resist the urge to scratch that itch, you are bound to do just that! Hives are usually the outcome of an allergic reaction to something you have eaten (1). But worry not! Those red bumps or welts that erupt on your skin can easily be soothed and treated without having to frequent a specialist for help.
We bring to you 10 of the best home remedies for hives that may be as small as your favorite jujube candy or as big as a coffee saucer. But before we present to you these sure shot home remedies, let us quickly understand what hives actually are.

What Causes Hives?

Hives are also called as urticaria. The body’s cells begin to release histamine that causes the blood vessels to leak fluid into the layers of the skin. The trigger can be anything under the sun, but the discomfort that it causes can be overwhelming. Symptoms include itching and welts that may or may not contain liquid (1). Let us take a look at the causes of these annoying skin rashes.

 

• Pollen
• Insect bites
• Certain medicines
• Foods like shellfish, nuts, eggs, milk, etc.
• Shedding from animals
• Extreme temperatures
• Stress
• Infections due to bacteria, virus, fungi or other microbes/parasites
• Exposure to contaminated water
• Excess sweat

Hives can also crop up when you have cold or fever, and when you are pregnant.
Angioedema is another skin rash that looks very similar to hives. These swellings are usually seen around the eyes and lips and affect the deeper layers of the skin (2).

Home Remedies For Hives

Here is the list of the top 10 remedies that we have handpicked for you to try the next time you suffer from hives.

Get Rid of Hives With These Simple Solutions

1. Coconut Oil To Get Rid Of Hives

 

You Will Need
Organic virgin coconut oil
What You Have To Do

1. Gently massage the coconut oil on the affected area.
2. Leave it on for a few hours.

How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat this twice a day.
Why This Works
Coconut oil acts as a natural skin moisturizer and will relieve the intense itching sensation that accompanies the hives rashes (3). It also has antimicrobial properties that will protect the skin from developing any bacterial or fungal infections (4).
Caution
Do not use refined coconut oil as it may cause your hives to worsen.

2. Bath For Hives

 

You Will Need

• Cold water
• 2-3 cups ground oatmeal

What You Have To Do
Add the oatmeal to the cold water in the bathtub and soak in this for 10-15 minutes.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this every day to get relief from the itching.
Why This Works
The coolness of the water soothes your skin and also eases discomfort by shrinking the skin’s pores. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect (5). Oatmeal contains starches and beta-glucans that have skin-protective properties. It also contains phenols that have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin (6).

3. Baking Soda To Get Rid Of Hives

 

You Will Need

• Baking soda (as required)
• Water

What You Have To Do

1. Mix water with baking soda to make a smooth paste. Take enough baking soda to cover the entire affected area.
2. Spread this paste evenly over your skin. Leave it to dry.
3. Wash with cool water.

How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat this twice a day.
Why This Works
The alkalinity of the baking soda soothes the skin and reduces itching and irritation. Within a few applications, you will feel your skin soften and experience less irritation (7).

4. Aloe Vera Gel To Prevent Hives

 

You Will Need
Fresh aloe vera gel
What You Have To Do

1. Take out the fresh gel from an aloe vera leaf and apply this on the affected area.
2. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes. Wash with cool water.

How Often You Need To Do This
Do this twice a day for best results.
Why This Works
The glucomannans present in aloe vera gel accelerate the healing process. It also has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties (8). Aloe vera gel is an excellent home remedy for hives.

5. Herbs For Hives

(a) Devil’s Claw

 

You Will Need
Devil’s claw capsules or tablets
What You Have To Do
A daily intake of 500mg of devil’s claw herb capsules will help to relieve the symptoms of hives.
How Often You Need To Do This
Take this herbal supplement till you get relief.
Why This Works
Devil’s claw is commonly used for treating allergic reactions. Harpagoside, a key ingredient, helps in treating hives. It also has anti-inflammatory properties (9).

(b) Turmeric

 

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• A glass of water

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the turmeric in the water and drink this twice a day.
2. You can also make a turmeric powder paste and apply it on the rashes.

How Often You Need To Do This
Do this twice daily.
Why This Works
Curcumin is an important bioactive component found in turmeric. Overall, this miracle herb has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antihistamine properties (10). It is one of the most effective natural remedies for hives.

6. Tea Tree Oil To Get Rid Of Hives

 

You Will Need

• A few drops of tea tree oil
• Cotton or bandage

What You Have To Do

1. Apply tea tree oil to the affected area and cover with the bandage.
2. For larger areas, you can mix 15-20 drops of the essential oil in a cup of water. Soak a washcloth in this and place it on the affected area for a couple of minutes.

How Often You Need To Do This
This process can be repeated four to five times a day.
Why This Works
Tea tree oil is one of the most versatile essential oils. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. These will reduce the swelling, prevent infections, and also soothe the skin (11).

7. Green Tea For Hives

 

You Will Need

• Green tea bags
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 cup hot water

What You Have To Do

1. Steep the green tea bag in a cup of hot water for a few minutes.
2. To this, add half to one teaspoon of honey and drink while warm.

How Often You Need To Do This
Drink two to three cups of green tea in a day.
Why This Works
The polyphenols present in green tea reduce inflammation caused by hives and similar skin rashes. Green tea also has antioxidant and antihistamine properties, which will deal with the problem from its roots (12).

8. Lotions For Hives

 

You Will Need

• Calamine lotion or witch hazel lotion
• Cotton ball

What You Have To Do
Dip the cotton ball in the lotion and dab it on the welts on your skin for instant relief from itching.
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat this two to three times a day.
Why This Works
Calamine lotion acts as an astringent and skin protectant, and helps shrink the blood vessels. In this process, it not just alleviates the symptoms but also treats the condition itself (13). Witch hazel contains tannins that have astringent properties and reduce the irritation. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties (14).

9. Fish Oil To Get Rid Of Hives

 

You Will Need
Fish oil capsules
What You Have To Do
Take two to three capsules a day to treat even the most severe case of welts.
How Often You Need To Do This
Continue this daily until you get relief from the hives reaction.
Why This Works
These capsules can heal hives miraculously, thanks to the essential fatty acids they contains that have anti-inflammatory properties (15). Those who are prone to hives may also incorporate cold water fish, like salmon and tuna, in their daily diet.
Caution
Do not take fish oil capsules if fish or its related products are a trigger food for allergic reactions on your body.

10. Ginger To Get Rid Of Hives

 

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger juice
• 2 teaspoons honey

What You Have To Do
Mix the ginger juice with the honey and drink this concoction.
When You Need To Do This
Drink this two to three times a day.
Why This Works
Ginger works as a natural blood purifier and eliminates the itching sensation while stimulating blood flow. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the swelling caused by the hives (16).

Symptoms Of Hives

Let us look at the most common symptoms that you experience when suffering from hives:

• Intense itching

• Swelling of the skin to form welts (also called wheals)

• Red or skin-colored welts

These wheals can change size, color, and form in minutes. They may even disappear and reappear. If you suffer from this allergic reaction at least twice a week for six weeks, then you might be suffering from chronic hives or chronic urticaria (17). Consult a specialist in the case of such prolonged and recurring allergic reaction.
Now that you know how to treat hives at home, what are you waiting for? We have listed the best home remedies you can use to treat hives. Those who have tried them will vouch for their efficacy. At times, you may need to use two remedies in conjunction with each other for relief from hives. Try these, and let us know which one worked best for you.

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