Hives Treatment Center Over 150,000 patients helped since 2001

#1. Use The Over The Counter Medication OxyHives

Because it can take weeks to get an appointment, I always recommend my patients have OxyHives on hand for when they have an outbreak. It's non-addictive, and unlike antihistamines, it won't make you drowsy. Simply put two sprays under your tongue and the hives go away naturally within 1-2 hours. While OxyHives is the only treatment that is scientifically formulated to make your hives go away fast, there are other home remedies that can help at least lessen the itchy, burning feeling that hives causes.

#2. Take a Cool Bath - NOT A HOT BATH

Because warm to hot water can make your hives rash worse, you should only take cool baths. A cool bath with some baking soda, uncooked oatmeal (rolled oats) or colloidal oatmeal, will help relieve the itching by blocking any further release of histamine. However, it won't make the red welts go away. Only a medication like OxyHives can do that.

#3. Apply a Cool, Wet Compress

If taking a cool bath is not an option, then you can get temporary relief from the itching by applying a cool, wet compress to the affected area. This will help soothe the skin and deter you from scratching.

#4. Avoid Scratchy Clothes
Avoid wearing any clothes that are not loose fitting and made of smooth textured cotton. Highly textured scratchy clothes (like wool) should be avoided completely as they will further aggravate the skin (especially on your neck and body) where you are currently having your hives outbreak.

#5. Apply a Little Witch Hazel or Calamine Lotion
Anti-stringents like witch hazel and calamine lotion will help shrink the blood vessels near your welts so that they don't leak as much histamine. They won't reverse the process, but they at least will help keep it from getting worse. Applications like this are ideal if you don't have OxyHives on hand and have hives on your face.

#6. Dab The Welts With Pepto Bismol or Milk of Magnesia
If you don't have any witch hazel or calamine lotion on hand, you can also try Pepto Bismol or Milk of Magnesia. Either of these two should help relieve the itching a little as they are both alkaline.

#7. Apply a Thin Coat of Water & Baking Soda
Similar to #2 above, applying a small amount of baking soda and water mixed together into a paste, should help relieve it bit of the itching. If you don't have any baking soda, you can also use cream of tarter to make the paste.

#8. Apply a Thin Layer of Vinegar & Water
If you lack any of the ingredients in the home remedies above, but you have vinegar, then you can mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar (any kind will do) to 2 tablespoons of cool water. Be sure to use something soft, like a cotton ball, when applying it to your hives. It won't make the welts go away, but it should help lessen the itchy feeling.

#9. Remove As Much Stress From Your Life As Possible
Over 83% of hives cases are due to too much stress. If you can remove whatever is currently stressing you out, then you significantly lower your chances of getting another hives outbreak on your face, neck, hands or body in the future.

#10. Avoid Any Potential Triggers
17% of hives cases are caused by environmental factors, such as cold, heat, sun, water exposure, alcohol, caffeine, tight clothing, certain foods, insect bites, new laundry detergents, fabric softeners or soaps, etc. If any of these triggers correlate to your current hives outbreak, then you know what to avoid in the future in order to reduce your chances of getting another one in the future.