If you’ve ever had an outbreak of hives, then you know how painful — and often embarrassing — it can be to experience them. The good news is that you usually can diagnose the reason pretty quickly and execute home remedies for hives in minutes. An occurrence of hives usually is the outfall of some kind of allergic reaction. When your body reacts to an allergy, then it releases a protein called a histamine to fight the allergy. This leads to itching, redness, patchiness, swelling and redness that are characteristics of hives.
Common allergies that result in hives include nuts, animal dander, pollen, latex and various chemicals. If you’re looking for easy home remedies for hives, then read on to get our top 10 most helpful tips for addressing your hives outbreak.
You Don’t Want to Miss These Top 10 Home Remedies for Getting Rid of Hives!
1. Baking Soda Bath
Baking soda works well as a hives home remedy because its ingredients are made of anti-inflammatory agents that help to reduce itchiness and redness. You can try either of these baking soda home remedies for hives once a day.
Instructions
- Fill a bathtub with warm water.
- Add a 1/2 cup of baking soda to the water.
- Soak in the mixture for about 10 minutes.
Alternative:
- Place two tablespoons of baking soda into a small bowl.
- Add warm water slowly and a little by little in order to make a paste in the bowl.
- Spread the baking soda paste on your hives-inflamed area.
- Allow the paste to dry on your affected area for about 10 minutes.
- Wash off with warm water and pat dry.
2. Cold Compress
The cold compress helps to shrink your blood vessels and block the release of the protein called a histamine, which causes your body to begin itching and swelling. You’ll feel almost instant relief from the itchiness and the redness will begin to dissipate.
Instructions
You can do this several ways. First, create your own compress with everyday household items:
- Place a few ice cubes in a wash cloth.
- Secure with waterproof tape.
- Press your compress to the itchy area for about 10 minutes at a time.
You can apply the cold compress to the hives four times a day or as needed. As an alternative, it also works to take a cool shower every now and then to relieve the itchiness and redness caused by hives.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar Bath
Apple cider vinegar is another substance that has antihistamine properties and will help to reduce inflammation. It also is an excellent agent for clearing up the skin and boosting the immune system.
Instructions
- Fill a bathtub with warm water.
- Add about two cups of your preferred apple cider vinegar to the water.
- Soak in the water for about 20 minutes.
- Mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar in a bowl if you want to apply the remedy topically.
- Dip a sponge into the mixture and apply it to the affected area.
4. Oatmeal Bath or Paste
Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and soothing elements that helps take away redness and irritation. This home remedy for hives is also ideal for sunburn relief, as it is calming and soothing for irritated skin.
Instructions
Oatmeal Bath
- Combine one cup of baking soda with two cups of oatmeal.
- Add the mixture to a warm bath.
- Soak in this mixture for about 15 minutes before washing off and patting yourself dry.
Oatmeal Paste
- Mix together two tablespoons of cornstarch and two cups of oatmeal.
- Add warm water a little bit at a time to form a paste.
- Apply the paste to the irritated skin.
- Apply this treatment once a day and wash off with warm water.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera, also soothing for burns, is a natural remedy to alleviate the itchiness and redness of hives. You can access this home remedy via the actual aloe vera plant.
Instructions
- Grow an aloe vera plant right in your kitchen window via a potted garden.
- Break off a stem, swipe it across the affected area.
- Leave it on for 15 minutes until is dries.
- Wash it off with warm water.
6. Ginger Drink
What is so unique about a ginger-infused drink is that it actually has the superpowers of targeting the enzymes that cause the hives inflammation.
Instructions
- Combine a quarter cup brown sugar, 3/4-cup vinegar of your choice and a tablespoon of fresh ginger.
- Boil and then dab lightly on the hives-infected area for a few minutes.
- Do this once daily for relief.
- Slice off fresh ginger and cool it down in the refrigerator for a quicker remedy.
- Swipe the red area with the sliced ginger. It will cool down the inflamed are and provide relief.
7. Hot Turmeric Milk
Turmeric stimulates the body’s corticosteroids, which aids in fighting against inflammation. In addition, it acts as a natural antihistamine.
Instructions
- Heat up a cup of milk.
- Mix in one teaspoon of turmeric powder.
- Sip slowly.
- Try this spicy concoction twice a day if you can take the spiciness.
Warning: Be forewarned that you shouldn’t drink this or use turmeric in your cooking if you are on blood thinners.
8. Nettle Tea
Nettle leaves are known for both astringent and antihistamine properties, which makes this specialty herb one of the most effective home remedies for hives and a fan product among herbalists. It clears your system and your skin, helping to soothe the redness and itchiness over time.
Instructions
- Purchase dried nettle from your local organic food or health food store.
- Boil one cup of water and add a tablespoon of the dried nettle leave to the water.
- Allow the mixture to steep in the pot. Pour a little honey in the bottom of your mug and top off with the strained nettle tea.
- Drink this tea up to three times a day to relieve the conditions associated with hives.
There also is the option of taking a nettle capsule every day, but you should consult with your doctor before exploring any concentrated methods for nettle.
9. Mint Tea
Who doesn’t love a mint julep? You almost can get this effect by making a minty tea — sans the alcohol. Mint has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that make it a natural coolant and itch-reliever. This tea is refreshing and energizing to your entire system. That’s because mint acts as coolant to your red or inflamed area that has been invaded by pesky hives. If you choose to apply the refreshing tea topically, you’ll get a cooling effect directly on your skin that will feel comforting and soothing.
Instructions
- Boil mint leaves and a cup of water.
- Add a little sugar or honey and sip.
- Prepare a tea by boiling the leaves and then cool it in the refrigerator. This alternative is for topical application in case you don’t want to drink the tea.
- Use a clean, soft cloth to gently apply the mixture to your inflamed skin.
- Make sure the mixture is fully chilled before you use it.
10. Basil Paste
Basil is a natural antihistamine that provides an herbal relief to the red, itchy areas of your skin. Make an easy, fragrant paste using this cooking herb that also has medicinal powers.
Instructions
- Fill an empty jar with dried basil leaves — about a tablespoon.
- Add enough hot water to form a paste.
- Mix well and until the basil and water is fully blended.
- Apply to the itchy area and let dry.
- Wash away with water after about 20 minutes.
11. Cream of Tartar
Cream of tartar is a spice that you probably have hiding somewhere in your kitchen cabinet. Make a quick and easy paste out of it for your hives:
Instructions
- In a bowl, place two teaspoons of cream of tartar.
- Heat up a cup of water.
- With a droplet, squeeze a few drops of the steamy water into the bowl.
- Mix until your form a paste. You may need to add more cream of tartar and/or water to get the desired consistency of a paste.
- Apply to the hives and let dry before washing off.
12. Witch Hazel
If you have hives, witch hazel can be one of your best friends when it comes to home remedies for hives. It is a natural astringent that will provide instant relief.
Instructions:
- Purchase a small bottle of all natural witch hazel.
- Drop a few droplets onto your skin and gently smooth.
- Let the witch hazel soak in and dry.
- Re-apply as needed.
In conclusion, if you have an outbreak of hives, then you need to take immediate action with these twelve home remedies for hives. The problem with allergic reactions is that they can be very severe for some people and can lead to irreversible outcomes for your body. Some people who suffer from allergic reactions can actually die — and quickly — so you’ll need to know your full medical history and your children’s full medical history.
Have you had a recent bout with hives and found relief from your allergic reaction by using our home remedies for hives? Make sure to let us know which remedies were most effective for you. Don’t forget to include your specific symptoms, any amendments you made to the remedy instructions and how long it took you to feel some relief. Your additional comments about our home remedies for hives will be helpful to users who are seeking help from hives right now. Rest up and get better soon!
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