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What Are Hives?
Hives or Urticaria are red, raised, itchy bumps on the skin. They are caused by a number of things that you come in contact with - foods, drinks, infections, medication, drugs, stress, skin allergens or other environmental elements. The longevity and severity of the hives depend on the cause and the person. While most hives are not so harmful, sometimes they are an indication of a serious underlying skin allergy or disease. Some hives are surprisingly a result of stress and anxiety. Hives can happen at any age, anywhere on the body and at any time of the year - they commonly prone to occur during the summer. Acute hives can happen suddenly without any forewarning and can disappear in a matter of 24 hours.
What Causes Urticaria (Hives)?
The most common causes of hives are:
1. Stress
Stress-induced hives are common and can happen anytime. While the exact reason for stress-induced hives is still unknown, they are debated to occur when the stress hormone called cortisol releases. Cortisol activates the unknown underlying instigator of the hives. Stress-induced hives can be both acute and chronic.
Also Read : How To Reduce Stress And Anxiety Naturally
2. Drug Allergies
The release of chemical histamine is also triggered by certain prescription drugs and even substance abuse. The most common type of drugs that causes negative reactions in the immune systems of the people prone to allergies are:
- Antibiotics
- Anticonvulsants
- Antifungals
- Ibuprofen
- Aspirin
- Morphine
- Vaccinations
- Allergy shots
3. Food Allergies
Food allergies are common throughout the world. It occurs when the immune system reacts negatively to a certain food or drink. During this reaction process, the body releases a chemical compound called histamine which triggers several other outcomes such as - breathing problems, sneezing, stomach ache, swelling of the skin, redness, rashes and hives. The following foods are usually a cause of an allergic reaction are:
- Soy
- Nuts - walnuts, cashews, almonds, etc.
- Shellfish - shrimps, lobster, crab, etc.
- Chocolate
- Berries - fresh raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, etc.
- Eggs
- Gluten - wheat, flour, gram flour, etc.
4. Infections
Infections occur in the body when the immune system is not strong enough to uphold and fight back. The immune system can respond negatively to a simple infection such as a cold or a cough. Hives are a common symptom of viral infections in children. However, these hives resolve with a week or two of receiving proper treatment. Hives are commonly associated with the symptoms of the following infections and diseases:
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Lupus
- Type 1 diabetes
- Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Dermatitis Herpetiformis
5. Exercise
Exercise on itself does not cause hives. However, if you exercise within 30 minutes of consuming foods that cause your immune system to react negatively and release the chemical compound histamine then it can trigger the appearances of hives.
How To Treat Hives At Home?
1. Oatmeal Bath
What You Will Need
- Uncooked oats - 1 cup
- Cheesecloth - 1
What To Do
- Pour 1 cup of uncooked oats in a cheesecloth and tie it safely, making sure that the contents don’t leak out.
- Soak the oats filled cheesecloth under the running water of your bathtub.
- The water is the bathtub is now infused with nutrients and minerals released from the uncooked oats.
- Soak your infected body in the oats infused water.
How Often To Do
You can do this 3-4 times a day.
Why This Works
Oats have nutrients and minerals which have anti-inflammatory and calming properties. It has high levels of salicylic acid which calms hives and prevents the eruptions of rashes in other parts of the body.
2. Aloe Vera
What You Will Need
Fresh aloe vera gel - 1 tablespoon
What To Do
- Apply fresh aloe vera gel directly on the hives.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes after which you can wash it off using room temperature water.
How Often To Do
You can do this twice a day.
Why This Works
Aloe vera gel has glucomannans which quickly heals the inflamed and irritated skin. It also moisturises and soothes the skin.
Also Read : Benefits of Aloe Vera for Skin, Hair and Health
3. Witch Hazel
What You Will Need
- Witch hazel - 6-8 drops (depending on requirement)
- Cotton ball - 1-2
What To Do
- Soak the cotton ball with few drops of witch hazel.
- Dab the cotton ball on the hives and around the inflamed skin.
How Often To Do
You can do this several times a day.
Why This Works
Witch hazel has skin-healing and anti-inflammatory properties which calm the irritated skin. It also has antioxidant and astringent properties.
4. Baking Soda
What You Will Need
- Baking soda - 1 tablespoon
- Water - 1 teaspoon (as per consistency)
What To Do
- Add 1 teaspoon of water (or more depending on the consistency of the paste).
- Mix well until it becomes a smooth paste.
- Apply the baking soda paste as a spot treatment to the hives.
- Let it sit on for 30 minutes before washing off with room temperature water.
How Often To Do
You can do this every day until the hives disappear.
Why This Works
Baking soda has a mineral called Natron. The mineral contains large amounts of sodium bicarbonate which soothes and calms inflamed skin.
5. Tea Tree Oil
What You Will Need
- Tea tree oil - 6 drops
- Water or carrier oil - 6 drops (optional)
- Cotton ball - 1-2
What To Do
- You can either apply tea tree oil using a cotton ball - topically or diluted.
- First, do a patch test to check the reaction of your skin to topical application.
- After that either apply the oil diluted with water or other oils (for example jojoba oil).
- Dab it on the hives using a soaked cotton ball.
How Often To Do
You can do this every day.
Why This Works
Tea tree oil reduces redness, calms rashes and irritated skin and heals swelling of the skin. It has both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
Also Read : Top 10 Benefits of Tea Tree Oil for Health
Why don't you check out Anveya Tea Tree Oil? It combats bacteria and various other infections that causes ill health for your skin, hair, nails and overall wellbeing.
ANVEYA AUSTRALIAN TEA TREE OIL, 100% PURE, 15ML
- Works on ACNE, SCARS & PIGMENTATION due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
- Application in treating SKIN, NAIL & TOE INFECTIONS
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- Diffuse for fresh & CLEAN HOME
6. Turmeric
What You Will Need
- Turmeric powder- 1 tablespoon
- Distilled water - 1-2 teaspoons (depending on consistency)
What To Do
- Add 1-2 teaspoons of distilled water to fresh organic turmeric powder.
- Mix it into a smooth paste. Add more water depending on the consistency of the paste.
- Apply the turmeric paste using fingers to the hives.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes before washing off with room temperature water.
How Often To Do
You can do this every day.
Why This Works
Turmeric has curcumin which has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antioxidant properties. It heals the inflamed skin and reduces the swelling.
7. Ginger
What You Will Need
- Ginger juice - 1 tablespoon
- Organic honey - 1 tablespoon
What To Do
- Combine the ginger juice and honey together in a bowl.
- Apply the mixture to the hives and leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Wash it off using room temperature water.
How Often To Do
You can do this once every day.
Why This Works
Ginger improves the blood circulation to the inflamed skin. This helps in healing the hives quickly and soothing the irritated skin. It also removes the redness, rashes and itching sensation associated with hives.
8. Coconut Oil
What You Will Need
Organic coconut oil - 1 tablespoon
What To Do
- Rub the extra virgin coconut oil on the hives.
- Leave it on for a few hours.
How Often To Do
You can do this once every day.
Why This Works
Coconut oil relieves the itching sensation and protects the skin from harmful bacteria. It prevents the eruption of fungal infections around the hives and quickly heals the inflamed skin.
9. Fish Oil
What You Will Need
Fish oil capsules - 1 per day
What To Do
Consume a fish oil capsule every day until you see an improvement in the appearance of hives.
How Often To Do
Take every day until the hives go away.
Why This Works
Fish oil has the essential fatty acids which miraculously heal the hives because of their anti-inflammatory properties. You can also consume cold water fishes which contain omega-3,6 fatty acids.
10. Green Tea
What You Will Need
- Green tea bag - 1-2
- Distilled water - 1 cup
- Cotton ball - 1-2
What To Do
- Soak 1-2 green tea bags in distilled water.
- Apply the solution to the hives using a cotton ball.
- You can also consume green tea twice a day.
How Often To Do
You can do this twice every day or drink green tea.
Why This Works
Green tea has polyphenols which reduce inflammation caused by hives. It also prevents the formation of bacteria and fungus around the inflamed skin.
Disclaimer: All the content on anveya.com/blogs is solely for information. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health care provider. The information, suggestion or remedies mentioned on this site are provided without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied.
