Hives are red, circular welts that may be itchy or painful. Hives often form as a result of exposure to an allergen. Hives, described medically as urticaria, is a skin condition that can appear and disappear suddenly on your skin when histamine is released in the body. If it is OK with your doctor, you can use home remedies to reduce the the itching and irritation of hives.
Ice and Cold Compresses
Ice can help reduce the redness and swelling associated with hives. Apply an ice cube directly to the hives, recommends "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies." Rubbing an ice cube on the hives may only reduce the hives temporarily, but it can also help prevent itching and irritation.
Additionally, placing a cold compress over the hives can help prevent you from scratching and reduce the red welts, says the Mayo Clinic. Rinse a clean washcloth in cold water, then wring it out and apply it to the face for several minutes. Repeat as needed to reduce itching and swelling.
Oatmeal Bath
A cool bath in colloidal oatmeal may help reduce the swelling and itchiness associated with hives. Colloidal oatmeal, which is oatmeal ground into a fine powder, is available at the drugstore or grocery store. If you don't have colloidal oatmeal, place a handful of regular oatmeal in the bathwater, then use a strainer to remove the oats before draining the water. Or, make your own colloidal oatmeal by placing regular oatmeal in a clean coffee grinder for 30 seconds, then adding a handful to the bathwater.
Red Alder Tea
Boil the bark and leaves of the red alder tree in water to create a tea, recommends Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D., author of "The Honest Herbal." Once the leaves and bark begin to break down and the water becomes dark, cool the liquid. Apply the tea mixture directly to the skin. Additionally, Tyler suggests taking about 2 tsp. of an alder bark powdered supplement daily until your skin has returned to normal.
Member Comments