Repeat this treatment several times a day as needed for relief.
Opt for lukewarm showers and gently pat your skin dry afterward to prevent further irritation.
Instead, gently pat the itchy area or distract yourself with other activities.
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Keep your nails short, and consider wearing gloves at night if youre prone to scratching in your sleep.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has natural anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, making it a popular remedy for skin conditions.
Always do a patch test first, as some people can be sensitive to aloe vera.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal, which is finely ground oatmeal, can help soothe the skin and relieve itchiness.
If colloidal oatmeal is too costly, you might use regular oatmeal instead.
They work by blocking histamine, a chemical that causes allergy symptoms.
Calamine lotion is helpful for mild cases of hives and is safe for use in most children and adults.
Its readily available at most drugstores and can be used multiple times a day for ongoing relief.
By reducing histamine activity, these medications can lessen the severity of hives and provide relief from discomfort.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids like prednisone can rapidly reduce inflammation and provide significant relief for severe hives.
Your healthcare provider will guide you on the appropriate dosage and duration for corticosteroid treatment.
Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers like Singulair (montelukast) work by blocking leukotrienes, chemicals involved in allergic reactions.
These medications are beneficial for those with chronic hives who dont respond to antihistamines alone.
Theyre usually prescribed as part of a longer-term treatment plan under medical supervision.
It helps reduce itching and inflammation and is prescribed when other antihistamines are ineffective.
Doxepin requires close monitoring due to potential side effects like drowsiness and dry mouth.
Cyclosporine should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Its prescribed when other treatments, such as antihistamines, are ineffective.
Anti-Inflammatory Antibiotics
Certain antibiotics like dapsone have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce chronic hives.
Special Diets
Some people have food allergies or food intolerances that trigger hives.
By following an elimination diet (i.e.
Avoiding trigger foods can help prevent or reduce flare-ups.
These usually resolve within hours or a few days but may persist for a few weeks in some cases.
Chronic hivescan persist for a year or more and often have no identifiable cause.
Due to their persistent nature, treatment for chronic hives often involves a combination of therapies.
Summary
Hives can appear anywhere on the body, and the time to treat them varies.
Mild hives will clear up independently, but more serious ones may need specific treatments to reduce symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: Signs and symptoms.
Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges.Hives: causes and natural remedies.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: How to get relief at home.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Hives.
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Allergy and Asthma online grid.Hives.
Medline Plus.Learn to manage stress.
Allergy and Asthma web link.What is chronic urticaria?
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.
National Institutes of Health.Calamine lotion.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: diagnosis and treatment.
