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10 ways to get relief from chronic hives

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You can search by location, condition, and procedure to find the dermatologist thats right for you.

What is a dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails. Dermatologists care for people of all ages.

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Hives, also known as Urticaria, is a condition in which the skin breaks out in clusters of raised, red bumps that cause intense itchiness and stinging. At times, hives may have a light reddish appearance with a pale center. Hives may appear on any part of the body and may occur as small patches or may even cover large skin areas.

Hives appear as a result of allergic reaction of the bodys immune system to certain allergens like insect bites, nickel, certain foods like nuts, chocolate, fish, stress, viral infections, etc. As a response, the immune cells release a chemical substance known as histamine that causes the blood vessels to become leaky due to which fluid oozes out of the blood vessels and collects in tissues, causing swelling.

How to Make Hives Go Away

1. Apply Cold Compresses

Applying cool, moist washcloth or compresses to the affected skin site can help relive the itchiness and stinging sensation.Use the cold compresses till the itchiness goes away or reduces significantly.

Using ice pack also yields the same results.Or you can just freeze some packaged vegetable. However, do not apply it directly to the skin as it mayhurt your skin and aggravate the condition. Instead,wrap the ice pack in a towel or washcloth and leave it on for about ten minutes.

2. Take Anti-Histaminic Drugs

Antihistamines like Cetirizine, Loratadine, etc. work wonders for soothing the discomfort of hives since they block the actin of histamine, the key chemical mediator of inflammation responsible for eruption of hives. Use these drugs only after proper prescription from a doctor. Pregnant women should avoid using anti-histamines.

3. Alleviate Stress

While stress does not cause hives by itself, it is one of the most common known risk factors for hives. In order to decrease the odds of hives, decrease the stress factors in your life. You can also use techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga poses and visualization in a soothing place to calm your nerves. Indulging in positive activities like exercise, book reading, etc. and adopting a positive attitude towards life can also help reduce anxiety.

4. Brew SomeStinging Nettle

Being a natural anti histaminic agent, stinging nettle is one of the best answers to the question of how to make hives go away. Take 1 teaspoon of dried nettle leaves and boil them in 1 cup of hot water to extract the essence of stinging nettle leaves.Soak a cotton ball in the brew, squeeze out the excess nettle tea and apply it directly on to the involved skin areas. Using this remedy at least twice daily can yield significant results within days.

5. Bathe withOatmeal

The pH regulating property of oatmeal can help soothe the hives-affected skin by counteracting the action of histamine. Add 1 cup of ground oatmeal to a bath tub full of lukewarm water and disperse it evenly. Soaking in oatmeal-infused bath for about 20 minutes provides significant relief.

6. Apply Aloe Vera Gel

The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant characteristics of Aloe Vera come from two key enzymes present in it: Auxin and Gibberellins. These substances in Aloe Vera help alleviate the itchy and irritated skin caused by hives.

The application process is quite simple. Slice a leaf of Aloe Vera open along its length, scoop out its gel and apply generous amount of Aloe Vera gel directly to the inflamed skin for instant relief.

7. Make a Vitamin C Mixture

Besides providing structural support to skin, vitamin C counteracts the action of histamine, thereby easing the discomfort of Urticaria. Blend together powdered vitamin C and zinc tablets (both of these are easily available over the counter), apply the mixture on the affected skin. Repeat the procedure twice a day.

8. Wash with Soap and Water

Washing the affected skin site regularly with soap and plenty of water is one of the easiest way to try if you want to knowhow to make hives go away. The trick is to use a soap that is free of perfume, chemicals and other additives to avoid aggravating the condition.

9. TryApple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most effective remedies for skin breakouts, including hives, because of its pH regulating, cleansing and detoxifying characteristics. Its malic acid content makes it a powerful antimicrobial agent. Mix apple cider vinegar with corn starch to make a paste of even consistency and dab it on the site of hives with a cotton ball. Leave it on for half an hour and then wash it off with cold water for visible difference.

10. Drink Green Tea

Being rich in catechin and phytochemicals like polyphenols, green tea prevents the oxidative damage in the skin cells and helps get rid of hives. In 2 cups of water, brew the green tea leaves till about one cup of water remains. Drink the tea at least twice daily for substantial results.

11. Rub Some Castor Oil

Castor oil has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and skin strengthening actions that help treat Urticaria. Use a cotton ball to apply castor oil directly on the affected skin, leave it on for about an hour and then wash off with cold water. Regular use of castor oil helps lessen the distress caused by hives.

Know When to Call the Doctor

Hives are, quite often, a harmless condition but it is time to see the doctor if the hives dont go away even after six weeks or if the skin breaks out frequently. Sometimes, hives may be a part of life threatening situation known asAnaphylaxis which may even result in death of the patient if not treated promptly.

Look out for symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, throat constriction, wheezing, continuous vomiting, chest pain, confusion, etc. These symptoms indicate that the person's life is in danger and he/she needs to be rushed to the emergency department at once.

What are cold hives?

Cold hives are raised, itchy bumps that appear on the skin after exposure to cold temperatures. It is a rare type of hives that only affects a small percentage of the population.

This information comes from the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.

People with cold hives may develop symptoms if they drink ice-cold water, go outside on a cold day, or stand near freezers. The hives may also occur when a person warms up after being cold. Severe reactions can be life threatening.

This article looks at what cold hives are, why they happen, the symptoms, types of treatment, and ways to prevent them.

The main symptom of cold hives is raised welts on a persons skin that appear when a part of their body gets cold. The welts may itch, but not always. Other symptoms include:

• a burning sensation
• swelling of the skin
• feeling lightheaded or faint

If the persons mouth experienced cold temperatures, then their lips, tongue, and throat may also swell up. This can make it hard to breathe. If this occurs, people must seek immediate medical help.

Many people with cold hives start to experience symptoms in early adulthood, though they can develop at any age. The hives typically develop around 510 minutes after skin exposure to the cold, and they last for around 12 hours. The symptoms often worsen as their skin warms back up.

The things that trigger the hives can vary from person to person. Some people only develop the hives when their skin comes into direct contact with something cold. Other people are more sensitive and can develop symptoms in air-conditioned buildings or near open freezers.

Doctors do not know exactly what causes cold hives. It does not appear to be related to genetics, as people who develop the condition often do not have a family history of cold hives.

In certain cases, cold hives may develop in response to:

• insect bites
• some medications
• certain types of blood cancer
• infections

However, in most cases, there is no clear cause.

Physiologically, the reason hives happen is due to an individuals immune system. If their immune system perceives something as a threat, it causes mast cells to release histamine and other chemicals. Mast cells are located in connective tissue, including the skin.

These chemicals cause blood vessels to dilate and fluid to accumulate under the skin, leading to swelling or hives.

Anything cold, especially sudden or intense cold, can trigger cold hives. Some potential triggers include:

• cold air or wind
• cold water
• ice
• cold foods, such as ice cream
• being around machines that release cold temperatures, such as freezers
• air conditioning

To diagnose cold hives, a doctor will ask questions about someones symptoms and when they occur. They may also ask about any:

• preexisting allergies
• current medications
• recent dietary changes
• recent infections or insect bites

If cold hives seem likely, the doctor may perform an ice cube test. This involves placing a bag containing ice against the persons skin for 15 minutes. Most people with cold hives will develop symptoms after the doctor removes the ice-filled bag from their skin.

Not everyone with cold hives will respond to this test, so a doctor may base a diagnosis on a persons symptoms alone. They can also order other tests, such as blood tests, to rule out other conditions.

There is no cure for cold hives, but treatment can reduce the symptoms. This may involve:

• Avoiding triggers: For some, avoiding triggers is enough to reduce the impact cold hives has on their life. This involves identifying the specific triggers of the hives, and then seeing if it is possible to reduce exposure to them. Keeping a symptom diary may help with this process.
• Antihistamines: For people whose triggers are difficult to avoid entirely, antihistamines can help. These medications reduce the amount of histamine in the body, and so reduce the symptoms of hives. People can take them before they become exposed to the cold (e.g., before getting into an unheated swimming pool) or when hives appear.
• Other medications: If antihistamines are not enough to manage cold hives, someone may take stronger medications that prevent allergic reactions, such as omalizumab (Xolair). This is a type of monoclonal antibody medication.
• Epinephrine: For people who have previously had serious allergic reactions to the cold, it may be necessary to carry an epinephrine pen in case this happens again. This emergency medication can stop anaphylaxis.

A common recommendation for other types of hives is to use cold compresses to soothe itching. People with cold hives should not use this method. For immediate symptom relief, they can try topical anti-itch cream. Wearing loose cotton clothing can also reduce further irritation.

It is important to avoid any topical products or treatments that cool the skin. People should tell medical or cosmetic professionals about having cold hives before undergoing any procedures.

In some cases, cold hives do go away on their own. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, around half of people with cold hives find that the symptoms resolve within 5 years. For some, it may go away quicker than this, resolving in a few weeks or a few months.

Once cold hives go away, they typically do not come back again. However, some people have cold hives permanently.

Anyone who experiences hives in response to cold exposure should talk with a doctor. This could be a primary care physician, an allergist, or a dermatologist. They can diagnose and treat the condition, reducing the impact it has on someones life.

Seek emergency medical attention if someone develops any signs of anaphylaxis. The symptoms include:

• swelling of the tongue, throat, or mouth
• trouble breathing
• feeling faint, lightheaded, or passing out
• severe headache
• racing heartbeat
• clammy skin

Cold hives are a rare condition that causes an allergic skin reaction in response to the cold. People with cold hives develop raised welts on their skin if they come into contact with cold air, water, drinks, food, or objects. The symptoms come on quickly and typically last 12 hours.

Individuals should talk with a doctor if skin symptoms develop in response to cold exposure. Seek emergency medical attention if hives occur alongside swelling in the mouth and airways, or anaphylaxis.