Hives Overview

Generally, hives are caused when your body releases the chemical histamine in reaction to something, often in response to an allergic reaction.

Some causes of hives include:

In as much as there are many possible causes for hives, there also are many treatments for it. To discover what treatments work best for different kinds of hives, read on.

The first option for treating your hives is to do nothing. While the itching may be annoying, if it's a mild enough case and it doesn't really bother you, then you can simply ride it out, waiting to see if your hives will clear up on their own.

However, if your hives aren't mild and they are causing you distress, you should talk to your general physician or dermatologist about using an antihistamine. There are a number of over-the-counter antihistamines to choose from, as well as a range of prescription drugs.

Some common over-the-counter antihistamines include diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine. And you can get over-the-counter versions of loratadine and cetirizine, which used to be prescription-only medications. Antihistamines that you can still only get with a prescription include fexofenadine, hydroxyzine, desloratadine and levocetirizine [source: Mayo Clinic]. Some antihistamines can make you drowsy, so make sure you ask your doctor about any potential side effects.

How do antihistamines work? Histamines are kind of like people vying to go to a sold-out concert -- in this case, the concert venue is your receptor site, and the histamines want an all-access pass. When your antihistamines work, they are taking up all the space at your receptor site concert venue, so the histamines can't get in. While your antihistamines are inside enjoying the concert, the histamines are left hanging outside the venue. This is a good thing because it is the histamines that are causing the allergic reaction -- in this case, the hives [source: WebMD].

In rare and special cases, your doctor may instruct you to carry an EpiPen, a portable, injectable epinephrine device for emergencies. If you have severe hives or hives that occur internally, an EpiPen could save your life in the event the swelling increases to the point where can no longer breathe [source: Saini].

Are there other options to treat hives besides using over-the-counter and prescription medications? Keep reading to learn about natural remedies for hives.

Some people prefer the "natural" route to curing their hives instead of taking over-the-counter or prescription drugs. But what natural remedies are there for hives?

Soaking in a cool bath can soothe the itching. Adding baking soda and/or oatmeal might make that bath even better. You can use uncooked, regular oatmeal or oatmeal that's made exclusively for the bath (sometimes called "colloidal" oatmeal). Don't have time for a bath? A cool, wet compress should work too [source: Mayo Clinic].

Acupuncture is one of the most popular alternative-medicine choices for the treatment of hives -- some people find it very effective [source: Saini]. Although there's some debate on whether acupuncture works (as well as how it works), one theory suggests that acupuncture affects the nervous system, working with the body's signaling systems to promote healing [source: Institute for Traditional Medicine].

If the baths aren't working and the thought of acupuncture is a little scary, you could give herbs, supplements and essential oils a try. Some herbalists recommend quercitin, which is a natural antihistamine found in leafy green vegetables, for treating hives [source: American Chronicle]. Taking vitamin C has been linked to lowering histamine levels, which in turn might help prevent hives [source: How Stuff Works]. Chamomile, lavender or sandalwood oils are used to soothe hives [source: American Chronicle]. You may find value in the way these oils smell, too. Some people use essential oils to aid relaxation when they're feeling stressed -- being in a constant state of itchiness could certainly be stressful.

Of course, if you're already following the care of a physician, talk to your doctor before starting any natural therapies to see how it will affect your overall treatment strategy.

Now that you know how regular hives are treated, you might be wondering how to help chronic hives. Continue reading to find out.

Chronic hives can be a real trial to people who suffer from them. Not only do chronic hives last for more than six weeks, they can last for months or even years. And even if they do go away, they're not necessarily gone forever. In fact, estimates say that 40 percent of people with chronic hives will have at least one more outbreak in their lives [source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology]. What's even more perplexing is that in more than 80 percent of cases, the cause of chronic hives is never discovered [source: Cleveland Clinic].

Even so, there are some tests you can take to try to solve the mystery of your chronic hives. As with acute hives, your doctor can order blood and allergy tests to determine a cause. Additional tests might be necessary to rule out any underlying conditions, such as thyroid disease, that could be causing your hives [source: Mayo Clinic].

If your doctor can't find the cause of your chronic hives, then the treatment will become more about managing your symptoms than about finding a cure [source: Saini]. You will probably start out by trying some of the oral antihistamines that typically are used to treat acute hives. If they don't work, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids, tricyclic antidepressants or a combination of antihistamines and H2 antagonists. The immune suppressant cyclosporine, the allergic asthma medication omalizumab and leukotriene receptor antagonists are currently being studied as potential treatments for chronic hives [source: Mayo Clinic].

Whether your hives are chronic or acute, you don't have to endure them alone. If you're suffering from hives, make an appointment with a doctor who can help you identify causes and treatments that will work for you.

To learn more, visit the links on the next page.