Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Home Remedies
• Method 2 of 3: Medication
• Method 3 of 3: Preventing Hives

Hives, or urticaria, is a type of skin rash that occurs as a result of an allergic reaction.At the same time, itchy reddish bumps appear on the skin, which turn white when pressed. Hives are caused by an allergic reaction to environmental factors. The rash can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, and treatments are not specific to the location.

Attention:the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Check with your healthcare professional before using any medication.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Home Remedies

1. 1 Apply cold compresses. Cold water can help reduce swelling and irritation from hives. Take a clean cotton towel and dampen it with cold water. Squeeze out excess water and place a towel over the affected area.
   • Cold compresses can be applied as long as you like. To cool and soothe your skin, dampen the towel every 5-10 minutes.
   • Do not use water that is too cold, as it can aggravate the rash in some people.
   • Warm or hot compresses can temporarily relieve itching, but they make the rash worse and should be avoided.
2. 2 Relieve hives with oatmeal. Oatmeal baths are widely used to relieve itching from hives, chickenpox, sunburn, and more. This folk remedy helps with itchy and irritated skin. Oatmeal baths are most effective if the hives are covering large areas of the body, but you can prepare a bath in a large bowl and dip your face into it while holding your breath, or soak a towel in it and place it on your face. You can also try oatmeal face masks. Use raw or colloidal oats that are specially formulated for baths.
   • Take a clean knee-length stocking and pour a glass (about 100 grams) of oatmeal into it. Tie the stocking over the faucet so that the water seeps through the oatmeal and then drains into the tub or bowl underneath. This will prevent the flakes from getting into the water, and you will not contaminate the water pipes. If you have colloidal oats, you can simply sprinkle it into the water. Use cool water, as warm, hot, or too cold water can make hives worse. Dip a towel in an oatmeal bath and place it on your face. You can do this as often as you like.
   • To make an oatmeal face pack, mix 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of colloidal oats, 1 teaspoon (8-9 grams) of honey, and 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of yogurt. Apply the mixture to your skin and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Then wash off the mask with cool water.
3. 3 Use pineapple. Pineapples contain the enzyme bromelain. This enzyme helps relieve inflammation and swelling. Try applying fresh pineapple slices to the affected area.
   • Please note that this method has not been scientifically proven to work and should not be applied to the skin or eaten if you are allergic to pineapples.
4. 4 Make a paste. To relieve hives on the face, you can make a paste with baking soda or tartar (potassium hydrogen tartrate). Both of these ingredients are astringent. When applied to the skin, they help reduce allergic reactions, swelling and itching.
   • Mix 1 tablespoon (about 20 grams) of tartar or baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Apply the paste to rash-covered areas of your skin.
   • After 5-10 minutes, wash off the paste with cool water.
   • Make masks as often as you like.
5. 5 Prepare the nettle tea. Nettle has long been used to treat urticaria, it is not for nothing that the names of the plant and the rash are similar. To make a 250 ml glass of nettle tea, take 1 teaspoon of dried nettle leaves and pour a glass of boiling water over them. Wait for the water to cool. After that, dampen a cotton towel with the broth, squeeze out the excess liquid and apply the damp towel to the areas of the skin covered with a rash.
   • The effectiveness of this method has not been scientifically confirmed, and all information about it is based on the stories of individuals and their personal experiences.
   • You can use this method as often as you like. A new broth should be prepared every 24 hours.
   • Store unused nettle tea in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
   • Although nettle tea is safe for most people, do not use it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and do not give it to children. If you have diabetes, low blood pressure, or are taking any medication, consult your doctor before using nettle tea.

Method 2 of 3: Medication

1. 1 Use medications to treat hives. Antihistamines are often used to treat mild to moderate hives. These drugs block the production of histamine, which causes hives. Over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines include the following:
   • non-sedating antihistamines such as Loratadin (Claritin, Claritin-D, Alavert), Fexofenadine (Allegra, Allegra-D), Cetirizine (Zyrtec, Zyrtec-D) and Clemastin (Tavegil);
   • sedative antihistamines such as Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Brompheniramine (Dimetapp), and Chlorphenamine (Chlorpheniramine maleate);
   • over-the-counter nasal spray corticosteroids such as triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog);
   • prescription corticosteroid drugs such as prednisone, prednisolone, cortisol, methylprednisolone;
   • mast cell membrane stabilizers such as Cromoline sodium (Nalkrom);
   • antagonists of leukotriene receptors, for example Montelukast (Singular);
   • topical immunomodulatory drugs such as Tacrolimus (Protopic) and Pimecrolimus (Elidel).
2. 2 Rub lotion into the affected skin. You can apply a soothing lotion to your face. For example, Calamine Lotion helps relieve itching from hives and can be applied as often as desired. Rinse off the lotion with cool water after use.
   • You can also apply bismuth subsalicylate (called "pink bismuth") or milk of magnesia to the skin using cotton balls or swabs. Dampen cotton wool with liquid and pat your skin with it. Leave the product on the skin for 5-10 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water.
3. 3 If you have a severe allergic reaction, use an injection of epinephrine (epinephrine) solution. In rare cases, hives can cause swelling of the throat, and in such an extreme situation, an epinerfin solution may be required. For an acute allergic reaction, epinephrine injections (in the form of hydrochloride or tartrate) can be used to prevent anaphylactic shock, which can occur with or without urticaria. The following symptoms indicate anaphylactic shock:
   • skin rash, including hives, which may be accompanied by itching and redness or pallor of the skin;
   • warming of the skin;
   • feeling of a lump in the throat;
   • wheezing and other signs of difficulty breathing;
   • swelling of the tongue or throat;
   • rapid pulse;
   • nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
   • dizziness, weakness.
4. 4 See your doctor. If you are unsure of what is causing the hives, or home remedies have failed, you should see your doctor. You may need the help of an allergist to help identify the allergens that are causing the rash. Your doctor may prescribe stronger drugs for hives.
   • Giant urticaria (Quincke's edema) is a deeper form of the disease that often occurs on the face. It is characterized by deeper edema, and it is possible anywhere on the body. On the face, giant urticaria most often occurs around the eyes and lips. This condition can be serious because it causes throat swelling.If with hives on your face you feel pressure in your throat, your voice has changed, or you find it difficult to swallow or breathe, seek immediate medical attention.
   • If you suspect you have giant hives, seek immediate medical attention.

Method 3 of 3: Preventing Hives

1. 1 Identify the symptoms of hives. Sometimes the symptoms and external signs of urticaria are very short-lived and appear within a few minutes. However, hives can be long lasting and last for several months or even years. Hives usually appear as a round rash, although a large, irregular rash can also be seen.
   • Hives can cause severe itching and burning.
   • Hives can cause severe redness of the skin, and the affected areas can be hot to the touch.
2. 2 Find out what causes hives. Anyone can get it. An allergic reaction stimulates certain skin cells that contain histamine and other chemical mediators. As a result, histamine and other cytokines are released, resulting in swelling and itching. Usually hives occurs for the following reasons:
   • Long-term exposure to sunlight. Sunscreens do not seem to protect the skin sufficiently, and some creams can even cause hives.
   • Using unsuitable soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and other skin care products.
   • Allergy to drugs. Common medications such as antibiotics (especially sulfonamides and penicillin), aspirin, and ACE inhibitors, which are used to control blood pressure, can cause hives on the face.
   • Prolonged exposure to cold, heat or water.
   • Food allergies to foods such as shellfish, eggs, nuts, milk, berries, fish.
   • Certain types of fabrics.
   • Insect bites.
   • Pollen, hay fever.
   • Physical exercise.
   • Infection.
   • Treating conditions such as lupus and leukemia.
3. 3 Avoid known triggers. To prevent hives, try to stay away from the sources of the allergic reaction if you know what is causing it. These can be certain plants (for example, poison ivy), insect bites, woolen clothes, pets. Try to avoid anything that is causing you an allergic reaction.
   • For example, if you are allergic to pollen, try to leave your home less often in the morning and evening, when the concentration of pollen in the air is at its highest. If you are allergic to sunlight, wear a hat and closed clothing.
   • Avoid common irritants such as insect sprays, tobacco and wood smoke, fresh tar and paint.