Is it bad to moisturize hives
9 Ways to Ease the Itch of Chronic Hives
They're itchy, red, and raised and often appear at the worst possible times. About 20 percent of the population will get them at least once in their lives, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. They're hives. And hives that last more than six weeks are considered chronic (persistent or recurring). For some people, these hives are a result of allergies, but for others there's no discernible cause. Chronic hives with no known cause are called chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives).
The itching associated with these hives, which stems from the release of natural chemicals called histamines by your bodys immune system, can dramatically affect your quality of life. This is among the main findings of a study published in August 2015 in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Still, there's a lot you can do to ease the itch of chronic 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.
How to Treat Hives
If you have only one outbreak of hives and you dont have breathing difficulties, you probably dont need medical attention. Yet if you continue to get multiple bouts of hives that continue after a couple of weeks, you may want to call a doctor, Elmariah suggests. Most often, the hives will resolve during this time or youll figure out whats causing them.
But hives that continue for weeks warrant a trip to a specialist, such as a dermatologist or an allergist. If they continue for six weeks or longer theyre considered chronic hives, which tend to be caused by the same triggers as short-term or acute cases of hives. Because dermatologists and allergists are skilled at working with hives, theyre your best bet for getting appropriate treatment, Dr. Rossi explains.
How Doctors Diagnose Hives
Expect to undergo a thorough physical exam. The dermatologist or allergist will also likely ask you to review your hives experience in detail, including when the hives started, if you suspect anything in particular triggered your hives, what medications youve tried, and what type of response youve gotten. Come prepared with this information.
Doctors will also verify that the bump (or bumps) is hives, often circling the spot on your skin to see if it disappears the next day (if so, its a hive, Elmariah says).
Once theyve confirmed that it is hives, theyll work to determine the trigger. Rossi says: Figuring out the cause can be the most frustrating part of it, especially if the tests arent helpful.
You may require additional testing. If an allergy is suspected, you may need to undergo allergy testing. If you are diagnosed with a severe allergy, the doctor may prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) in case youre accidentally exposed to your allergen. (1)
And because chronic hives can signal autoimmune disorders, you may need to have a blood draw in which doctors will look for a common antibody found in many autoimmune disorders. In rare cases when a bout of hives doesnt disappear within 24 hours, your doctor may do a skin biopsy to see if theres inflammation of the blood vessels, Rossi adds.
Treatments Doctors Use for Hives
Doctors usually prescribe antihistamines as the first course of treatment for hives. Acute cases can generally be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines like loratadine and pseudoephedrine,cetirizine, fexofenadine, or diphenhydramine.
If your hives are persisting (or youve already tried OTC antihistamines without success), your doctor may move to another class of antihistamines called histamine type 2 receptor antagonists, or H2 blockers, including cimetidine (Tagamet) and famotidine (Pepcid)(both available over the counter); up the dose of antihistamines (some as high as four times); or combine several antihistamines, Friedman says.
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe an oral steroid, such asprednisone (Deltasone), if your hives still arent responding. Oral steroids are stronger but can cause more significant side effects than antihistamines. (3)
If youre still not seeing results, your doctor may recommend even stronger medications, like an injectable prescription medication called omalizumab(Xolair). There is also evidence that off-label use of stronger medications that suppress the immune system under careful monitoring by a specialist may be helpful in patients with difficult-to-manage hives.
Its important to note that you shouldnt try taking high doses of vitamins or any other off-label medication on your own without instruction from your doctor. No one treatment works for everyone, Friedman says. And for some, such therapies may not be safe.
When to Go to Urgent Care or an Emergency Room for Hives
Hives usually arent a sign of a serious medical condition. But their sudden appearance may merit a trip to urgent care or the emergency room if they show up along with other symptoms.
Hives are itchy, raised patches, bumps, or blotchy areas of skin that can show up anywhere on your body. They usually appear red or pink on light colored skin, but the color will be less evident if you have Brown or Black skin.
Hives develop when your body releases a substance called histamine in response to a perceived threat, like a toxin or infection. But the body also sometimes releases histamine even though there isnt a real threat. An allergic reaction to a bug bite, medication, or food can trigger this. Stress, sunlight, and changes in temperature can also trigger hives.
If hives are accompanied by symptoms like trouble breathing, you may need to get urgent care.
Here, we cover when to get medical attention for hives at an emergency room or urgent care center.
An ER is the right choice for any life threatening illness or injury. Along with hives, if you also have any shortness of breath, swelling in the throat, or wheezing, call emergency medical services or go to an ER immediately. This could be a sign of a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Other symptoms that can occur with hives and signal an emergency include:
If a doctor prescribed you an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) in the past for an allergy and you think youre having a severe allergic reaction, you should use it to prevent anaphylaxis. Its still important to go to the ER for an evaluation after using an EpiPen.
For mild cases of hives, you may get relief with first aid, such as:
If you know the underlying cause of hives, try to avoid that substance or trigger. Also, avoid scratching as much as possible. A pharmacist can give you advice about which OTC treatment can help with hives.
Most mild skin rashes arent a medical emergency and are manageable at home. Hives usually go away on their own in a few hours or days without leaving any marks or bruising.
You dont usually have to get emergency treatment for a mild case of hives. However, you may still need medical attention from a primary care doctor, a dermatologist, or an allergist, especially if you dont know whats causing your hives.
An allergist may want to perform a skin prick test to identify triggers. You may want to see a dermatologist if youre not sure what you have really is hives.
Schedule an appointment with an allergist or dermatologist if you have:
- hives that occur almost daily for at least 6 weeks
- hives that keep going away and coming back without an identifiable cause
- a rash that is painful or leaves a bruise
- a rash thats interfering with daily life
- a rash that is spreading
Hives arent usually a medical emergency. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about when to seek medical treatment for hives.
When should I go to urgent care for an allergic reaction?
Though you can treat most cases of hives at home, here are some reasons why visiting an urgent care center might be a good choice:
- the hives cover your whole body
- you also have a fever
- you also have swelling under your skin
- the rash is spreading
- youre worried about your or your childs rash
You may also want to visit an urgent care center if this is the first time youve experienced hives.
Any allergic reaction accompanied by trouble breathing or throat swelling is a medical emergency. Call emergency medical services or go to an ER immediately.
Should I go to the doctor if I break out in hives?
Hives are typically harmless and you can manage them at home. But you may need to see a doctor if they cover your entire body, they dont go away, or they keep coming back. You may have an allergy or underlying condition that requires additional diagnosis and treatment.
Should I go to urgent care if I have hives all over my body?
You should visit an urgent care center if you have hives all over your body that are itchy or painful and dont respond to first-aid measures like an antihistamine.
You may also want to visit an urgent care center if youre concerned about hives or this is the first time youve ever experienced them.
Hives are typically harmless and you can manage them at home. But you may need to see a doctor if they cover your entire body, dont go away, or keep coming back. Hives accompanied by trouble breathing or throat swelling are a medical emergency and could mean youre having a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Call emergency medical services or visit an ER immediately since anaphylaxis can be life threatening if not treated right away.
