Urticaria Self-Care: Ways to Stop Hives From Itching Right Now

If you’ve ever experienced the itchiness or burning or stinging sensations that hives (raised red bumps and splotches on the skin) can cause, you know that remedies and self-care strategies that offer immediate relief are what you want.

From home remedies to over-the-counter medications, here’s a look at key urticaria self-care strategies that may help you treat and get immediate relief from hives symptoms.

If you’re grappling with an outbreak of hives, your go-to solution should be over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines, which you can readily find in the pharmacy, says Adnan Mir, MD, PhD, a pediatric dermatologist and dermatopathologist and an assistant professor of dermatology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York. (More on these below.)

But while you’re waiting for those antihistamines to kick in, there are some ways to get relief quickly.

“These (complementary) approaches will resolve that itch,” Dr. Mir says. They are:

• Oatmeal Baths One study suggests that oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory compounds called avenanthramids that can relieve itchiness and calm the skin.

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  It also forms a protective barrier on the skin to promote healing. To make an oatmeal bath, buy specific oats packaged for bathing from the pharmacy, and pour the ingredients into a tub of warm water, following the instructions. Avoid using very hot water, which may irritate the skin.
• Cold Compresses Wrap ice cubes in a washcloth or prepare an ice pack to provide a cooling sensation to the irritated, inflamed parts of your skin.

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  While this doesn’t treat the underlying cause of your hives outbreak, it will make your symptoms feel better.
• Staying Cool Some hives can be caused by your body temperature rising, which is called cholinergic urticaria. It’s an immune system reaction that happens when you’re exposed to heat, such as from exercise or a hot shower.

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   In these cases, wear loose-fitting cotton clothing that’s breathable and avoid taking hot showers.

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• Staying Calm Stress can trigger hives and worsen symptoms.

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  Take steps to calm down — try breathing exercises, go for a walk, or watch your favorite TV show to take your mind off the hives, Mir says.

Over-the-counter medications, which don’t require a prescription, should be your go-to for getting rid of hives, says Chris Adigun, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

• loratadine (Claritin)
• cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• fexofenadine (Allegra)
• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• desloratadine (like Clarinex)

While oral antihistamines are the ones that actually make the hives stop from the source, some ointments and creams can provide temporary but quick-acting results to relieve your itchiness, Adigun says.

• Pramoxine
• Menthol
• Calamine lotion

Adigun says your drugstore should carry several ointments that contain these itch-relieving ingredients and topical anesthetics. Some may even be formulated with several of these ingredients at once, such as calamine lotion that contains pramoxine.

“You can even put these in the refrigerator so that when you apply them, there’s more of a dramatic cooling effect,” she says.

These OTC remedies are the best solution for acute hives, which means you have sporadic hives breakouts that tend to disappear within a few days, especially after you use antihistamines. If you have chronic hives, which means they linger for at least six weeks, you may be prescribed medications, including anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs that suppress the immune system, and drugs that reduce pain and swelling from hives.

These can include complementary therapies, such as:

• Light Therapy Also called phototherapy, light therapy is a noninvasive treatment in which patients are exposed to a controlled amount of light. You may need sessions several times a week over the course of a few months to see results.

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   Research suggests that when used in conjunction with antihistamines, it can be a great complementary therapy for people grappling with chronic hives.

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• Vitamin D Supplements Small studies have found that vitamin D as an add-on therapy provided some relief to people with chronic hives as long as it was taken alongside prescribed or OTC antihistamines.

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   Vitamins B12, C, fish oil, and quercetin may also help with hives outbreaks.

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• Acupuncture Some studies looking at the efficacy of acupuncture in treating hives have yielded positive results. One review with more than 400 participants found that acupuncture “significantly improved” symptoms when used alongside prescription medication.

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• Hives or swelling that lasts more than a week
• Infected-looking bumps that are red, swollen, or pus-filled
• Recurring hives that keep coming back every few months
• Severe itching that’s keeping you from sleeping or doing daily activities
• Signs of anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction), including wheezing, shortness of breath, or vomiting
• Swollen lips or face

• Swelling inside of your mouth or in your throat
• Trouble swallowing or breathing
• Feeling lightheaded or faint
• Racing heart

• Hives are raised, red bumps and splotches that are often itchy and irritating to the skin.
• There are many ways you can quickly relieve your symptoms via over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines, minty ointments, cold compresses, and oatmeal baths.
• If your hives don’t dissipate after you use OTC antihistamines for more than a week, you should book an appointment with a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis.
• If hives are causing swelling inside your mouth or in your throat, seek emergency help.