Five Home Remedies for Hives

Are you plagued by blotchy, itchy red patches on your skin that seem to appear for no reason? Do you sometimes break out in small, itchy bumps, or thick, itchy welts? If so, then you know what it's like to have hives.

Hives are caused by many different things. For some, they are an allergic reaction. But they can be caused by things besides allergies. Heat, cold, exercise, certain foods, infections, certain medications, and stress are just a few of the most common causes of hives.

If you've suffered from hives, you know how uncomfortable they can be. Luckily, there are home remedies that will help you deal with this condition fast.

Apply ice to your hives.

Unless you're prone to hives caused by cold, rubbing ice over your hives for several minutes will cause them to shrink, and will also relieve the itching. Taking a cool shower can also help you feel a lot better.

If you have hives, avoid heat.

When you have hives, any kind of heat (whether from the weather, warm water, or an indoor heating system) can make them worse, as well as making you itch more. So avoid heat as much as possible.

Relieve the itching with an oatmeal bath.

Soaking in an oatmeal bath (you can find commercial oatmeal bath powders at the drugstore) for fifteen minutes can go a long way towards alleviating the itching caused by hives. Remember to use lukewarm, rather than hot or very warm, water.

Check your medicine cabinet.

Common causes of hives are anti-inflammatory medications that you can buy over-the-counter. The next time you break out in hives, try to remember whether or not you've taken any ibuprophen (which is found in Advil and Motrin) or naprosyn (which is found in Aleve). If so, the medication you took might be the cause of your hives.

Try an over-the-counter antihistamine.

An over-the-counter antihistamine, like Benadryl or Claritin, can help keep hives from getting worse. It will also help sooth the itching, and alleviate swelling and inflammation. Just remember that an antihistamine can make you feel sleepy, so you might not want to take it before you head out to work or drive a car.

When should you see a doctor?

Hives aren't usually a serious condition. But you should see a doctor if:

• You have hives in your mouth.
• You have hives in your throat, which could cause your throat to swell shut.
• You're having trouble breathing.
• There are hives around your eyes.
• Your hives are extremely severe and are causing you discomfort.
• Your hives last for twenty-four hours or more.
• The hives go away, but there are bruises in their place.

Hives aren't a serious condition. But the itchiness and discomfort they cause aren't a whole lot of fun. And, with these home remedies, you can deal with hives fast.