How to Get Hives to Stop Itching
If you have hives, you should see a doctor in order to find out what could be causing the condition. Until then, here are 8 natural remedies for hives that you may already have around the house!
Bruce and Jeanne Lubin
Ice for Hives
Chill the burning itch with a makeshift ice pack: Place some ice in a soft cloth and hold it against your hives, gently caressing the irritated skin. The cold compress will interfere with that itchy sensation and offer welcome (if temporary) relief.
Reusable (R)ice Pack
Rather than use up all the ice in your freezer, make a “rice pack” that you can use again and again with no mess and less waste! Pour uncooked rice into a sock, sew the opening closed, then pop it in the freezer for a couple hours. Press the cold pack on your rash to cool the burn and alleviate the itch. No more dripping, melting ice—same relief!
A Bath Can Help
If the hives are widespread on your body, take a soothing, warm bath (make sure the water is not hot!). Prepare a bath with one third of a cup of baking soda or uncooked ground oatmeal to calm and comfort your enflamed skin.
DIY Hives Ointment
For quick and inexpensive relief, simply add water to some baking soda until it forms a paste, then apply the paste over the affected skin. Baking soda is an alkaline that offsets the acidity of substances that might be causing the irritation.
Head to the Baby’s Room
Commonly used for diaper rashes, Desitin works wonders on skin irritations such as hives, burns, and scratches. The cream contains a mild astringent called zinc oxide, which heals and calms skin inflammation.
Antacid Rash Relief
Yup, you read that right! Liquid antacids like Pepto-Bismol and Maalox are fantastic itch-stoppers if you have hives. Their alkaline properties are intended to neutralize acids in the stomach, and they also soothe inflammation on the skin. Moisten a cotton ball or cloth with the antacid and pat on the rash.
Surprising Hives Reliever
Head to the kitchen! Most often needed in baking, cream of tartar is an acid salt also used for homemade cleaning solutions and, yes, for skin rashes! Despite its name, cream of tartar is not actually a cream but rather a powder, and you’ll need to combine it with water to create a paste-like texture for use on your skin. Blot on the affected area using a clean cloth or cotton ball.
See also: 9 Ways to Get Rid of Foot Calluses and Corns Naturally
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About the Author
Bruce Lubin and Jeanne Bossolina-Lubin are the proud parents of three boys and more than a dozen books. After saving thousands per year using everyday tips and simple lifehacks, they started their own business in the hopes of sharing their knowledge with others. They have been known to go into their friends’ refrigerators to turn their eggs upside down so that they last longer.