Hives which we can also call urticaria is a rash on your body. A lot of people are going through this and the thought “how to get rid of hives” is almost always on their mind. In this article, we’ll talk about ways you can deal with this skin enemy.
Most of the time, allergic reactions lead to hives. But, they can also be triggered by:
- stress
- medications
- insect bites or stings
- sunlight
- cold temperatures
- infection
- other underlying conditions
Again, knowing what triggered your rash is very important. If you can identify the trigger, you can avoid contact with it and prevent the formation of more hives.
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How To Get Rid Of Hives
Generally, hives fade within 24 hours and don’t need treatment. However, seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following signs:
- dizziness
- swelling in your throat or face
- difficulty breathing
This is because they could be signs of a severe allergic reaction and require emergency care.
But, if your hives are mild, continue reading to learn how to ease any discomfort and quicken the healing process.
Home Remedies
There are home remedies that can help you get rid of your hives. A lot of times, all you need to find relief are home remedies.
With this in mind, let’s now talk about a few ways you can soothe your itchy skin. Some of these ways are:
#1. Avoid Certain Products That Could Irritate Your Skin
Some soaps might dry up your skin and cause more itching when you have hives. Try to use a soap that is recommended for sensitive skin. Typically, they omit fragrance and other irritating chemicals.
Furthermore, you should avoid using irritating moisturizers or lotions. When in doubt, go for a formula that targets sensitive skin. Again, applying them immediately after bathing may also help soothe the itch.
#2. Take Your Bath Using An Anti-itch Solution
This is another home remedy for getting rid of hives. There are a lot of products you can add to a bath to relieve itching. Some of these products are oatmeal (specifically marketed as colloidal oatmeal for bathing) or one or two handfuls of baking soda.
#3. Apply A Cold Compress On Your Skin
Applying something cool to your skin can help you deal with irritation. For you to do this, grab a bag of frozen veggies or wrap a handful of ice in a towel. Once you’ve done this, apply it to the affected area for up to 10 minutes. Repeat as many times as required throughout the day.
#4. Keep Things Cool
Keeping things cool is also another way to soothe itchy skin. Heat can worsen itchiness. With this in mind, try to wear lightweight clothing. Also, keep the temperature in your house cool and comfortable.
Additionally, avoid sitting in direct sunlight.
Natural Remedies
Natural remedies come in handy if home remedies aren’t relieving your symptoms and you’re not ready to head to the pharmacy. You might want to give a few natural solutions a try.
Typically, natural remedies aren’t regulated or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so carefully use them.
Let’s get into these natural remedies, shall we? Some of them are:
#1. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a plant known mostly for its healing properties. Even though it’s a natural anti-inflammatory, it could still cause contact dermatitis. Thus, it’s important to do a skin patch test before use.
For you to do a skin patch test, simply apply a little amount of the product to an unaffected area of your skin. If you can, apply to the inside of your forearm. If there’s no irritation within 24 hours, it should be safe to apply to any hives.
Also, you can apply topical aloe vera to your hives as required, likely a few times a day. Make sure you follow any instructions on the package.
You can purchase topical aloe vera gels or creams online or at your local pharmacy.
#2. Witch Hazel
The natural tannins in the herb Witch Hazel can help to relieve irritation. To maximize the tannins, you might want to prepare your own witch hazel mixture to use as an astringent.
For this purpose, the next thing we’ll share with you is how you can make your own Witch Hazel:
- Firstly, add 5 to 10 grams of witch hazel bark to 1 cup of water.
- Then, mash the bark up.
- After you’ve done this, pour the mixture into a pot.
- The next thing to do is to bring to boiling and remove from the heat.
- Next, Strain the mixture.
- Finally, let the mixture cool before using it.
You can use this on your skin like a mask a few times a day. Allow it to sit on the affected areas for about 20 minutes, and then rinse it off.
In addition, you can purchase Witch hazel online or at your local health store.
Over-The-Counter Options
Still, on the subject of how to get rid of Hives, let’s talk about Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. They may be your best bet if home and natural remedies aren’t enough to treat your hives. They don’t just relieve itching and irritation, but they can also target your body’s histamine response, which is what makes hives appear.
Some of these OTC options are:
#1. Calamine Lotion
Products that contain calamine can help relieve itching by cooling your skin. Thus, you can apply calamine lotion directly to your skin. To do this, follow these steps:
- Shake the container before use so you can mix the lotion.
- Then, add some calamine lotion on a cotton pad or cloth.
- Apply the pad or cloth directly to the hives and allow it dry.
In addition, note that you can treat the hives with calamine lotion as necessary.
#2. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
This is an oral antihistamine that can reduce the rash and other symptoms, like itching. It does this by working from the inside out. Try to follow the dosage instructions on the package. Usually, Benadryl kicks in within an hour, and you should see symptom reduction the same day.
However, Benadryl might make you drowsy.
#3. Fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin), and Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
These are antihistamines that typically come in 12- or 24-hour formulas to provide extended relief. Unlike diphenhydramine, they’re also less likely to cause drowsiness.
Also, you may need to adjust the dosage to effectively treat hives, so speak with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you advice on how much to take and how often you should take them.
Prescription Options
If you have severe or chronic hives, prescription medication may be just what you need. Speak with your doctor about your symptoms and how you can best find relief.
Common prescription options are:
#1. Prednisone (Deltasone)
This is a corticosteroid that you take orally. You are to only use it for a short period of time your doctor sees necessary.
Corticosteroids can have side effects, especially when they’re taken for a long period of time. Some of these side effects can include:
- elevated blood pressure
- swelling
- Glaucoma (elevated eye pressure)
- weight gain
Long-term use can lead to these side effects:
- cataracts
- high blood sugar
- reduced hormone release from the adrenal glands
- poor immune response to pathogens so you can get infections easier
- thinning skin
For you to reduce side effects, take lower doses of oral corticosteroids and transition to corticosteroid creams with your doctor’s supervision.
#2. Dapsone (Aczone)
This is an antibiotic that is available topically and as an oral medication. Dapsone can treat inflammation caused by hives or other skin conditions caused by a bacterial infection.
However, it’s important that you take all the antibiotics your doctor prescribes.
#3. Omalizumab (Xolair)
This medication has to be injected under the skin. It is an option only available if your hives have lasted for months or years.
Additionally, the common side effects are headaches, dizziness, inner ear pain, and cold symptoms.
#4. Leukotriene-Receptor Antagonists
This is a nonsteroidal treatment option and is taken orally. They should be used only after steroid treatment and antihistamines have been unsuccessful.
Furthermore, the common side effects are headaches, stomach upset, cough, and a low fever.
Conclusion
If your symptoms get worse or last longer than a couple of days, see your doctor immediately. They can identify the cause and prescribe medication that can help relieve your symptoms.
Again, to prevent future outbreaks, you need to understand what causes your hives.
Finally, I trust that by now the thought, “how to get rid of hives” no longer scares you. Carefully read through the article to understand the various methods we’ve talked about in this article. This will help you in selecting which one you should apply to your body.
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Regards,
Just Health Care Tips.
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