Is a bath good for hives
15 Ways to Get Rid of Hives
You may be able to relieve hives with home remedies, including aloe vera or an oatmeal bath, and over-the-counter products. But a doctor may need to treat severe or chronic hives.
Hives (urticaria) are a rash on your body. Identifying what triggered your hives is crucial to preventing them from happening again. If you can identify the trigger, you can avoid contact with it.
Although hives are often associated with allergic reactions, they can also occur due to:
Hives generally fade within 24 hours and dont require treatment.
However, you should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- dizziness
- swelling in your throat or face
- difficulty breathing
These may indicate a severe allergic reaction and require emergency care.
If your hives are milder, continue reading to learn how to ease any discomfort and speed up the healing process.
Some remedies and other products may cause a skin reaction. Its best to do a skin patch test before applying.
In most cases, home remedies can help you find relief. Here are a few ways to soothe itchy skin:
Use a cold compress
Applying something cool to your skin can help relieve irritation and swelling. To do this, grab a bag of frozen veggies or wrap a handful of ice in a towel and apply it to the affected area for up to 10 minutes. Repeat as needed throughout the day.
Take a bath with an anti-itch solution
There are several products you can add to a bath to relieve itching. These include colloidal oatmeal or one or two handfuls of baking soda.
Learn more: How to make an oatmeal bath
Avoid products that may irritate the skin
Certain soaps may dry your skin and cause more itching when you have hives. Make sure to use a mild soap thats marketed for sensitive skin. These typically omit fragrance and irritating chemicals.
You should also avoid using irritating moisturizers or lotions. When in doubt, opt for a formula that targets sensitive skin, such as these options. Applying immediately after bathing may also help soothe the itch.
Keep things cool
Heat can make itchiness worse. Wear lightweight clothing and keep the temperature in your house cool and comfortable. Avoid sitting in direct sunlight.
If home remedies arent relieving your symptoms but you arent ready to head to the pharmacy you may want to give a few natural solutions a try.
Natural remedies arent regulated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so use them with caution.
Witch hazel
The natural tannins found in the herb witch hazel can help relieve irritation. Despite this, it
You can apply witch hazel to your skin like a mask a few times each day. Let it sit on the affected areas for about 20 minutes, and then rinse it off.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a natural anti-inflammatory. According to the
But, as with any new product, its important to do a skin patch test before application, especially if you have sensitive skin. Some aloe products may also have added fragrance or other chemicals, so be sure to read the label.
You can apply topical aloe vera to your hives as needed, likely a few times a day. Be sure to follow any instructions on the package.
If the above remedies arent enough to help your hives, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments may help relieve your symptoms. Not only can OTC options relieve itching and irritation, but they can also target your bodys histamine response, which is what causes hives.
Calamine lotion
Products containing calamine can help relieve itching by cooling your skin. You can apply calamine lotion directly to your skin:
- Make sure you mix the lotion before using it by shaking the container.
- Put some calamine lotion on a cotton pad or cloth.
- Apply the pad or cloth directly to the hives and let dry.
You can treat the hives with calamine lotion as necessary.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
This oral antihistamine can reduce rash and other allergy symptoms like itching by working from the inside out.
Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the package. Benadryl usually kicks in within an hour and should start to relieve your symptoms the same day.
Benadryl may cause drowsiness.
Fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin), and cetirizine (Zyrtec)
These antihistamines typically come in 12- or 24-hour formulas to provide extended relief. Theyre also less likely to cause drowsiness than diphenhydramine.
You may need to adjust the dosage to effectively treat hives, so talk with a doctor or pharmacist. They can advise you on how much to take and how often.
If youre experiencing severe or chronic hives, you may need prescription medication. Talk with a doctor about your symptoms and how you can best find relief.
Common prescription options include:
Prednisone (Deltasone)
This corticosteroid is taken orally. You should only use it for a short period of time as directed by a doctor. Corticosteroids can have side effects, especially if taken for extended periods of time. Side effects can include:
- elevated blood pressure
- elevated eye pressure (glaucoma)
- swelling
- weight gain
- immunosuppression, which means you may get infections more easily
To reduce side effects, take oral corticosteroids at a lower dose and transition to corticosteroid creams with your doctors supervision.
Omalizumab (Xolair)
This medication must be injected under the skin. This option is
- headache
- dizziness
- inner ear pain
- cold symptoms
Dapsone (Aczone)
This antibiotic is available topically and as an oral medication. This medication can treat inflammation due to hives or other skin conditions that are caused by bacterial infection. Its important to take all antibiotics as prescribed.
Antibiotics only help relieve symptoms caused by a bacterial infection.
Leukotriene-receptor antagonists
This nonsteroidal treatment option is taken orally. These drugs should be used only after steroid treatment and antihistamines have been unsuccessful. There is
- headache
- nausea
- cough
- low fever
If your symptoms worsen or last longer than a couple of days, you may want to talk with a doctor. They can identify the cause and provide medication to help relieve your symptoms. Understanding your triggers may help prevent future outbreaks.
Epsom Salt for Hives
Experts at Mayo Clinic suggest soaking skin in an Epsom salt solution can sooth skin irritations like swimmer's itch or hives by reducing the itch and inflammation associated with the outbreak 12. The Epsom salts are dissolved in warm water and the affected area is submerged and soaked in the liquid. Chronic hives that occur from an underlying health issue can not be treated or cured by either internal or external Epsom salt treatment 1.
Define
Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate is, according to Drugs.com, sometimes referred to as a drug because of its medicinal uses 1. However, the substance is a naturally occurring mineral found in nature. Hives are small round bumps that may appear in reddish batches on nearly any part of the body. Mayo Clinic experts indicate that while topical treatments like Epsom salts can relieve random hive outbreaks, chronic hives need professional diagnosis and treatment 2.
Causes
Herbal Remedies for Hives
Hives are the immune system's reaction to an irritation to the body. The irritation triggers a reddish inflammation of the skin when histamines and other chemicals are released into the bloodstream. The reaction causes small blood vessels to leak and produce the patches. Mayo Clinic further explains that chronic hives are a sign of more complicated health issues that need a doctor's care 2. An occasional hive outbreak can be treated topically with Epsom salts or baking soda.
- Hives are the immune system's reaction to an irritation to the body.
- Mayo Clinic further explains that chronic hives are a sign of more complicated health issues that need a doctor's care 2.
Side effects
DoubleCheckMD verifies that side effects from using Epsom salt externally as a soak are rare and limited to actually causing hives themselves or further escalating the existing skin reaction 1. If either occurs, you should discontinue use immediately. Epsom salts taken internally show no clinical signs of curing or reducing the signs of skin hives. Because high levels of magnesium sulfate in the body can be toxic, Epsom salts should only be taken as prescribed, when used internally.
- DoubleCheckMD verifies that side effects from using Epsom salt externally as a soak are rare and limited to actually causing hives themselves or further escalating the existing skin reaction 1.
Cautions/Interactions
Difference Between Hives & Shingles
Drugs.com cautions consumers that Epsom salts do interact harmfully with some other drugs 1. If you are taking digoxin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, a tetracycline antibiotic, nitrofurantoin or penicillamine you should consult your physician before using Epsom salts. In addition, consult your pharmacist about any over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals or herbs you are taking before using Epsom salts medicinally, to prevent harmful interactions.
Expert Insight
Epsom salts can be administered in a few different ways, according to DoubleCheckMD. They can be injected intravenously, diluted in water and drunk, diluted in water and used as an anal enema or mixed in a bath for external soaking. In all instances, the mixtures should be made only according to specific doctor or packaging dosage instructions. Always consult your physician before beginning an Epsom salt regimen 1.
- Epsom salts can be administered in a few different ways, according to DoubleCheckMD.
- In all instances, the mixtures should be made only according to specific doctor or packaging dosage instructions.
New Health Advisor
A rash is usually a sign of an allergy and can be traced back to something that has aggravated the skin or a specific item that was taken internally. Many times this rash is a sign of hives, also known as nettle rash or urticaria.
If the rash is due to hives, it will appear as blisters or blotches that are itchy, red, and tiny. Hives can show up anywhere and is caused by blood plasma that has seeped into the skin because of too much histamine.
Does Oatmeal Bath Really Work?
While hives can leave you quickly or stay for several weeks, there are things you can do to treat them and an oatmeal bath is one of them. The benefits of oatmeal on the skin dates back through time. Because it relieves the itching, it is a proven cure for eczema and hives.
Some of the advantages of using an oatmeal bath for hives are:
- It works best on rough dry skin.
- It returns your skin to its natural state and replenishes the moisture.
- The oatmeal gently exfoliates the skin removing the dry patches.
- When you use an oatmeal bath, you wont have to use soap which can dry the skin even further.
- You will find other irritations on your skin restored as well.
- You will get relief from the itching.
How to Make and Take an Oatmeal Bath for Hives
There are only a few items you need to prepare:
- Unflavored plain oatmeal: Fine oatmeal is ideal; whole grain is preferred.
- 1/2 cup to 1 cup of milk or buttermilk: This is optional; water works fine.
- A coffee filter (size 4 works well or any type that you would use for 8 to 12 cups of coffee; or a piece of muslin cloth and an elastic band)
- Epsom salts: This is also optional but it does create a refreshing soak.
- Essential oils such as lavender or even lavender buds if you would like a soothing scent for your bath.
Here are the simple steps needed to create your oatmeal bath for hives:
- Measure out around 1/3 cup to 3/4 cup of oatmeal. If you are using a coffee filter, you can use the smaller amount; if the muslin cloth is larger, use 3/4 cup.
- Put the oatmeal in a bowl.
- If your oatmeal is still coarse, take the back of a spoon and mash it down until there are no clumps. If you need to, you can put the oatmeal into a plastic bag and smash them with a rolling pin.
- If you are adding any essential oils of lavender buds, you can add them now. If you are using this bath to treat hives, you may want to leave them out this time so you don't aggravate your skin any more than it already is.
- Put the oatmeal mixture into the coffee filter or cloth piece and close it up with the elastic band.
- Turn on the hot water and begin to fill the tub. If you are adding the buttermilk or milk, you can add it now by pouring it in as the water is running into the tub. If you are using Epsom salts, you can add about 3/4 cup in at this time.
- Put the oatmeal bag at the end of the tub so it is not near the running water. Wait until the bathwater cools as this is when the benefits of the oatmeal will begin to infuse the water.
- When the water is just tepid, you can get into the bath. If you want to get more of the essence of the oatmeal into the bath you can gently squeeze the filter. If you squeeze it too hard, it could break apart and you will have a bathtub filled with oatmeal. Soak in the tub for around 10 minutes then gently dry your skin when you step out of the tub. You can repeat this oatmeal bath routine every day if you wish.
Other Remedies That Help
While the oatmeal bath for hives is an excellent remedy, there are other things you can try as well.
- You can mix together borage and chickweed together and brew the mixture just like you are making tea. You should be able to find both of these items in a health food store or an herbal shop online. When the mixture cools down, you can apply it to your rash.
- Witch hazel that is in a gel form or as a cream can be added to a warm bath with some baking soda. A handful or two of baking soda along with the witch hazel will bring down any swelling and relieve the itching.
- There are a number of oils that can also be used to treat the inflammation of hives that is caused by the excess histamine. Lavender oil and tea tree oil can each be mixed with 1 tablespoon of base oil to 9 drops of either oil. This type of dilution will protect you from causing another reaction to your skin. Apricot kernel oil or jojoba oil are also effective at treating rashes from hives.
