What gets rid of hives immediately
How to treat hives
Home remedies and medications can help treat hives quickly and effectively. Examples include cold compresses, aloe vera, antihistamines, and more.
Hives are intensely itchy, discolored, raised areas of skin. They may occur anywhere on the body. Hives usually have a trigger, both allergic and non-allergic.
While the symptoms of hives can be very irritating, there are many ways to treat, soothe, and get rid of them.
In this article, we detail how to treat hives at home, medical options, and possible complications.
What does hives look like? Pictures and more
People often use home remedies to treat hives and do not seek further medical attention or intervention. In fact, many cases of hives disappear naturally within minutes or hours of appearing. Most often, symptoms of hives will disappear within 24 hours, but in some cases, it may take a few days.
Effective home remedies to treat hives include:
- Applying a cold compress: A person can apply a cool, damp cloth to the affected area. This can provide relief from itchiness and help reduce inflammation. A person can use a cold compress as often as necessary.
- Bathing in an anti-itch solution: Oatmeal and baking soda baths can soothe skin and reduce irritation. Adding witch hazel to a bath is another effective home remedy.
- Applying aloe vera: The healing properties of aloe vera may soothe and reduce hives. However, it is best to do a patch test before applying aloe vera to a wider area.
- Avoiding irritants: This includes perfumes, fragranced soaps or moisturizers, and staying out of the sun. A person should also aim to maintain a comfortable temperature and wear loose, cotton clothing.
Some people with chronic hives
In more severe cases of hives, medical treatment may be preferable. Some over-the-counter options include:
People with more severe and persistent hives may need to see a dermatologist. These doctors specialize in conditions of the skin, hair, and nails.
Hives are a skin condition that usually results in a raised, itchy rash. There are several different types of hives, although the effects are mostly the same.
Hives may be the same color as the surrounding skin or may have a reddish hue. This discoloration may be less evident on darker skin tones.
Learn more about hives on black skin here.
Acute urticaria and acute angioedema
Acute urticaria is a short-lived type of hives. In this condition, rashes last less than 6 weeks and usually occur due to an adverse or allergic reaction to certain foods or medications. Urticaria only affects the upper layer of the skin, called the dermis.
Infections and insect bites can also cause this type of rash.
Angioedema is the rapid swelling of the area beneath the skin, known as the mucosa. A person with hives will not always experience this type of swelling. Angioedema can occur with many different disorders.
Acute angioedema can occur with acute urticaria and is essentially anaphylaxis of the subcutaneous tissues. It is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction. It can lead to anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal.
Learn more about anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock here.
Chronic urticaria and chronic angioedema
Chronic urticaria and chronic angioedema last for more than 6 weeks.
In these conditions, a person will typically experience daily, or almost daily, symptoms without an allergic, infectious, or drug-related cause.
Chronic urticaria and chronic angioedema more commonly result from underlying medical causes, such as thyroid disease, cancer, or hepatitis.
Hives affect around 20% of people at some point during their lifetime. They are more common in children and female adults than in male adults.
A hives outbreak happens when high levels of histamine and other chemical messengers release into the skin, causing a rash and other symptoms to surface.
The high levels of histamine cause blood vessels in the affected area to open up and start to leak. The resulting fluid in the tissues causes swelling and itchiness.
Different triggers may cause a person to have an outbreak of hives. Some common causes include:
- an allergic reaction to food, an insect bite, or an animal
- a reaction to a plant irritant, such as nettles
- an infection, such as the flu or a cold
- certain medications
- preservatives and food additives
If hives develop, it is useful to identify the trigger. Factors that can worsen hives include:
Physical urticaria
The effects of heat exposure and overheating can cause a type of hives called physical urticaria.
Common triggers for physical urticaria include:
- extreme heat or cold
- overexposure to the sun
- excessive sweating
- clothes rubbing the skin
This rash rarely spreads beyond its original location.
Some people experience dermatographism, a type of physical urticaria. This condition occurs
Some people refer to dermatographism as skin writing. The condition is
What is the difference between hives and a rash? Pictures and more
The severity of a hives can vary between individuals. Most symptoms are manageable at home, but medical attention may be necessary in some cases.
A person should see a doctor if:
- symptoms last more than a few days
- symptoms worsen over time
- the rash is painful or leaves a bruise
- symptoms interfere with daily life
- they experience dizziness
A person will need immediate medication attention if they experience:
- any swelling of the tongue, mouth, or throatSimilarly
- difficulty breathing
- tightness in their chest
A doctor will examine the rash and ask questions to determine the cause. Doctors may also use blood and allergy tests to rule out specific causes.
Hives are usually treatable and do not cause complications on their own. However, in more severe cases, angioedema may occur.
Angioedema is a buildup of fluid in layers of the skin that causes swelling and can affect the eyes, lips, hands, feet, and genitals. Doctors can prescribe medication to manage and reduce swelling.
Recurrent hives can negatively impact the quality of a persons life, causing them to feel stressed or anxious and can even lead to depression. A person should always speak to a doctor if hives are affecting their quality of life.
Here are some questions people often ask about hives.
How do you treat hives naturally?
Ways of treating hives naturally include:
- avoiding scratching
- applying a cool compress
- bathing in lukewarm water with colloidal oatmeal
- wearing loose, cotton clothing
- avoiding soaps with fragrances or strong chemicals
- applying aloe vera
What is the fastest remedy for hives?
A cool compress may offer immediate relief from discomfort, but topical medicines may be more effective. Ask a pharmacist about over-the-counter options.
Hives are a skin condition that results in itchy, raised, patches of skin. There may also be discoloration.
Hive can result from allergic or non-allergic causes. Home remedies and medications can often reduce symptoms.
People with severe hives may have a risk of further complications. A person should seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, ongoing, or affect their quality of life.
How to Get Rid of Hives, According to Dermatologists
If youve developed a rash thats hot, swollen, bumpy, or itchy, its possible you have hives. Finding hives on your skin can be unsettling, and usually you cant be sure where they came from. No matter what caused the irritation, we know that you want to find relief fast. So, if youre asking yourself how to get rid of your hives, youve come to the right place.
Hives are a skin reaction that occur when cells in our blood stream called mast cells release histamine, says Mona Gohara, M.D., board-certified dermatologist, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University, and member of Preventions Medical Review Board. Mast cells are triggered to release histamine by a whole host of things including medications, infections, and allergens.
Want to get rid of your hives ASAP? Here, expert dermatologists weigh in on natural remedies you can do at home, over-the-counter (OTC) options, and when to see a doctor about your irritated, inflamed skin.
What do hives look like?
Hives, also called urticaria, appear as red to pink areas of superficial swelling in the skin, says Blair Murphy-Rose, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. These swollen areas or welts can be small or large, she says. Any one hive lasts less than 24 hours by definition, but the episodes can recur for days or weeks. Acute urticaria is defined as episodes lasting up to 6 weeks.
What causes hives?
Hives can be triggered by a wide variety of causes, including both allergic and non-allergic causes, says Dr. Rose. The most common allergic triggers of [hives] include medication and food allergies. Common medications triggering hives include aspirin, NSAIDs, opiates, many antibiotics, sulfonylureas, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and iodine.
If you develop hives after eating meat, you might consider getting tested for alpha-gal syndrome, adds Dr. Rose, which can be caused by certain tick species like amblyomma, the lone star tick. Bed bug reactions can also look like hives, says Dr. Rose. Particularly suspicious are hive-like bumps in groups of three.
Still, sometimes your hives are not a result of any allergy or tick-borne syndrome. Some people may also develop hives due to pressure on the skin, hot or cold temperatures, and physical exercise, says Dustin Portela, D.O., board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon of Treasure Valley Dermatology.
Hives can be accompanied by tongue swelling and shortness of breath, and in this case are obviously considered an emergent matter, notes Dr. Gohara, and you should seek emergency medical care.
How to get rid of hives
The best way to treat hives is to prevent them from developing to begin with, says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., associate professor of dermatology and the director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Avoid processed or canned foods and stick to fresh options. Aspirin is also a known trigger, so you should use an alternative pain reliever if you are prone to developing hives, adds Dr. Zeichner.
Natural remedies for hives
If you feel hesitant to go straight to OTC treatment options, here are some remedies that you can try from the comfort of your home, according to Peterson Pierre, M.D., dermatologist and founder of Pierre Skin Care Institute.
- Use a cold compress
- Draw yourself an oatmeal bath
- Apply witch hazel or aloe vera to the irritated area
- Stay cool, as heat tends to make the itch worse.
Dr. Zeichner adds that you should make sure to keep the skin barrier hydrated and intact, especially if you are scratching your skin. Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion is ultra lightweight and can be spread over large surface areas without leaving the skin feeling greasy. The lotion also contains ceramides which help repair the skin barrier and pull in hydration, he adds.
OTC remedies for hives
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, antihistamines can be taken on a daily basis to prevent hives from developing, says Dr. Zeichner. Allegra Hives is an FDA cleared option to consider.
Antihistamines reduce the amount of histamine circulating in your body to decrease symptoms, says Dr. Rose. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is one of the best OTC treatments for hives. It has a quick onset so it works fast, but can cause sedation and fatigue, so it is best to take it before bedtime or a nap. Note: some people, especially older individuals, have an opposite response to Benadryl and it keeps them awake, warns Dr. Rose.
Some of the newer generation antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec), Fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin) are much less likely to cause sedation, and while they have a slower onset, they work for a longer duration of time, continues Dr. Rose. These are best for prevention of allergies and hives when used daily over a period of time, she says. Dr. Rose notes that Zyrtec and Claritin are considered safe to use in pregnancy, but not Allegra.
If you want to go the topical route, over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream can be applied to an individual hive to help reduce itch, says Dr. Zeichner. It should not be used for more than two weeks in a row to any individual area, he n.otes. Additionally, Dr. Pierre suggests calamine lotion for itch relief.
When should you see a doctor about hives?
Hives are incredibly common, and while usually not a sign of something more serious, they can be, says Dr. Rose.
If you are getting recurrent hives, and over-the-counter antihistamines and cortisone creams are not helping, visit a board-certified dermatologist for evaluation and treatment, suggests Dr. Zeichner. Your dermatologist can discuss prescription, topicals, and prescription systemic medications that can get your skin under control. You also can visit an allergist for specific testing that may uncover your particular trigger, he adds.
Additionally, if your hives have been occurring daily for greater than 6 weeks, its time to see a dermatologist, says Dr. Portela. If you develop hives that last longer than 24 hours in the same location, this may also be a more serious condition for which you should seek medical care. Lastly, if you experience hives that cause swelling of the lips or tongue, or make it difficult to breathe, this constitutes a medical emergency and you should seek emergency care, he notes.
..Madeleine, Preventions assistant editor, has a history with health writing from her experience as an editorial assistant at WebMD, and from her personal research at university. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscienceand she helps strategize for success across Preventions social media platforms.
With more than a decade of experience, board-certified dermatologist Caroline Chang, M.D., is nationally recognized as a top doctor in both medical and cosmetic dermatology. She is also the founder of Rhode Island Dermatology Institute, the states first direct care dermatology practice with the goal of providing high-quality, customized care.
