Hives are characterized by the appearance of raised, itchy red rashes and bands of thick welts which materialize on the skin all of a sudden. The medical term for hives, which is also called nettle rash, is Urticaria. People who suffer from hives, which is basically an allergic skin reaction, often complain of a burning or an intense stinging sensation on their skin.
The body reacts to allergens, by releasing inflammatory mediators from mast cells which are present on the skin. These inflammatory mediators, which include histamines, can cause superficial blood vessels located just below the skin’s surface to leach fluids. This in turn can lead to the appearance of itchy swellings on the skin, known as wheals. Hives, especially those of an acute nature, do not last for periods in excess of six weeks. On the other hand, chronic hives can last for six weeks or more.
Home Remedies For Hives
1. Turmeric Powder
Reach for some turmeric powder if you come down with hives. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric can soothe skin swelling due to an allergic reaction. Additionally, turmeric if applied topically on the skin, or when taken internally with a glass of warm milk, can trigger the natural anti inflammatory corticosteroids which are inherently present in our body.
Mix half a teaspoon of organic turmeric powder with a couple of drops of water to form a thick paste. Smear this paste liberally over the itchy red rashes. Allow the turmeric paste to remain on the skin welts for ten to fifteen minutes. Wash off the excess turmeric paste with some luke-warm water. Pat the skin dry with a clean towel. Repeat this process twice or thrice a day till the skin rashes disappear.
2. Ginger
Fresh ginger paste is another potent home remedy for hives. Peel half an inch of fresh ginger. Grind the fresh root ginger to a fine paste in a food processor. Apply the ginger paste liberally on the hives breakout. Ginger paste applied in the initial stages of a hives breakout can suppress the body’s natural allergic response in next to no time.
Additionally, if you take ginger paste diluted in a cup of water orally, it will improve the blood circulation drastically. A sudden boost in blood circulation can relieve skin swelling by transporting the inflammatory agents away from the body. The natural antihistamine properties of ginger can prevent further itchy skin rashes from appearing.
3. Green Tea
Doctors recommend taking a glass of strong green tea to counter hives. Green tea possesses strong antihistamine compounds which can reduce skin inflammation and the itchy sensation due to the presence of allergens in the body.
If the allergic reaction is of a severe nature it can even damage the delicate tissues of the body. The powerful antioxidants which are naturally present in green tea, like flavonoids and polyphenols, can protect the tissues of the body against irreversible damage due to the presence of these toxic, inflammatory agents.
4. Aloe Vera Gel
The thick, itchy red welts which appear randomly all over the body due to hives can cause acute physical discomfort. To soothe the intense itching sensation, apply cooling aloe vera gel on the skin welts liberally. Furthermore, the gooey aloe vera gel acts as a natural skin barrier and prevents dust and other allergens present in the atmosphere from settling on the rashes and aggravating the condition any further.
You can also drink aloe vera juice to counter the negative effects of hives. Fresh aloe vera juice can boost the body’s natural immune system. A strong immune system can effectively fight not just allergic skin reactions, but a host of other diseases as well.
5. Pineapple
Medical research has shown that the natural compound bromelain, present in pineapple, is even more effective than most anti inflammatory drugs when it comes to fighting different allergic reactions. People who have hives should apply ripe pineapple pulp on the skin rashes. The pineapple pulp can reduce the skin swelling and the itching sensation in a matter of minutes.
Drink two to three glasses of fresh pineapple juice to wash away the inflammatory toxins which accumulate inside the body. Not only does bromelain, which is present in the pineapple juice, remove the allergens from the body, but it does so without causing any unpleasant side effects.
6. Mustard Oil
If you come down with hives, massage your whole body with some warm mustard oil. Leave the warm mustard oil on your body for ten to fifteen minutes. After the prescribed period of time, wash the mustard oil off, with soap and water. Warm mustard oil is known to relieve the intense itching sensation due to hives.
