Home Remedies for Hives: What Works & What Doesn’t

Learn why visiting the allergist is the best remedy for hives.

Looking for relief from hives? In most cases, hives will fade on their own, leading many people to seek out home remedies for the itching and swelling to make waiting for their hives to disappear more bearable. Unfortunately, some home remedies are not so helpful as others, and all of them pale in comparison to getting help from a qualified allergist.

Here is some helpful information about some of the more common home remedies for hives.

What to Skip

• Calamine Lotion: When suffering from a mystery itch, many people automatically grab the calamine lotion. This is a standby in the medicine cabinet for treating rashes like poison ivy, but it typically doesn’t do much to relieve hives.
• Over-the-Counter Anti-Itch Lotions: While applying a basic moisturizer can help relieve itching if you have dry skin, it is not necessarily a good idea to try an anti-itch lotion. Some individuals with hives may have a reaction to these lotions so it is not wise to self-prescribe them.

What to Try

• Oatmeal Bath: Taking an oatmeal bath may help reduce itchiness for some hives sufferers. The typical home remedy recipe calls for about 1 cup finely ground raw oats mixed into a warm bath.
• Ice Packs: Most home remedies focus on relieving the itchiness of hives, but this one helps reduce swelling by shrinking blood vessels in the area. Simply place some ice in a plastic bag, wrap with a thin towel, and apply to the affected skin for about 5 minutes at a time 3 to 4 times a day.
• Loose Clothing: If your hives appear where clothing normally rubs against your skin, such as at your waistband or under a bra strap, switching to looser-fitting garments could help prevent a recurrence of the condition.
• Antihistamines: Taking an antihistamine such as Benadryl can help relieve itching and swelling from hives. It will typically also make you drowsy so it is particularly helpful if itchy hives are keeping you up at night.

#1 Must-Do Remedy for Hives

• Visit the Allergist: While home remedies may help manage the discomfort of hives—especially the itching—the single best way to actually treat your hives and hopefully discover how to prevent a recurrence is to visit an allergist. At Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Medical Group, we can provide allergy skin tests to help identify the triggers of hives caused by skin allergies or food allergies, as well as blood tests to check whether the hives may be related to an underlying autoimmune disorder. We can also provide prescription medications for your hives, such as antihistamines or XOLAIR, an immunomodulating agent that can help people who do not respond to antihistamines.

You Can Rely On Us to Provide Expert Care

Our experienced allergists will work closely with you to develop the best treatment plan for your unique situation. Please contact one of our clinic locations to make your appointment.