Natural Remedies for Hives - Holistic Symptom Relief

Dietary Changes

Posted by Jose (Salt Lake City, Ut, USA) on 02/27/2012
★★★★★

About 2 years ago, I started having hive outbreaks that completely changed my lifestyle. Initially I and the multiple doctors I visited had a difficult time identifying my body's reaction as hives. They started by appearing as crescent shaped welts as well as targets, or circular welts with clear centers. Not long after, however, these outbreaks became quite severe. Tightly clustered hives formed super hives the size of dinner plates on my chest, back, and legs. I also experienced deep tissue hives that I could feel below the skin and near joints, which caused painful swelling. In addition, as if things were not bad enough already, I also suffered from pressure hives--too much physical pressure actually caused hives! I couldn't even carry a basket at the supermarket without my hands swelling from an outbreak.

Eventually, I found a naturopathic doctor that helped me identify my outbreaks as an immune dificiency. It turns out that I developed an allergic reaction to gluten, which was basically in everything I was eating. At the time all this happend, I was in my mid-thirties and in relatively good health. Cutting gluten out of my diet helped tremendously, but I found a few things that helped with my condition prior to receiving my diagnosis.

If I did nothing, my outbreaks would pass within two or three days, which was just far too long for me, so I found a few different ways to move the hives out of my system within a day to half a day. In some instances, I was able to rid the current outbreak within a few hours.

1. Cayenne pepper. I took cayenne pepper to increase blood circulation. I added 1/4 tsp to a glass of water (8 oz) and chugged it once or twice a day. This might be too much for some people (it was too much for me at times), so I would recommend experimenting with this measurement. As bad as it was at times to drink this concoction, it was worth the relief.

2. Physical exercise. Again, the idea was to increase blood circulation. I joined a local field hockey team and we played 3 times a week. This was better than a treadmill because it was fun, I made new friends, and I got the serious cardiovascular workout I needed.

3. Sea water. I was visiting the Dominican Republic for a wedding and had a breakout every single day that I was there. I discovered, however, that taking a dip in the ocean soothed my outbreaks and got rid of them pretty quickly. I never actually tried it but perhaps an epsom salt bath would also help? Anyway, I include this here in case it helps someone reading this even though I only used it during my visit.

4. Juicing. Hands down this is the best thing I tried for hives AND my gluten allergy. I bought a single auger juicer for about $260 (US). The reason I decided to juice is because I not only wanted the vitamins and minerals, but I wanted to make sure I was also getting the live enzymes that come from juicing. I mostly juice vegetables and some fruit. Initially, I juiced every day for about 3 weeks. I made some form of green juice and had a tall glass of it right away. After that time period, I juiced a few times a week instead of everyday. By the way, I'm not talking about juice fasting. All I did then, and continue to do now, is incorporate juicing into my existing diet.

There are obvious benefits to juicing, and with a little research you can find certain recipes for different ailments. I have a favorite one that I make specifically for heavy metal toxicity, which I suspect is the cause of my pressure hives. The overall result from jucing? I rarely have any hive outbreaks anymore. They're all but gone. I can also have foods that contain gluten such as pasta, breads, ketchup, soy sauce, beer.... The list is endless. Although I can have it again, I'm choosing a cleaner diet. I'm able to carry a basket at the supermarket again and I want to keep it that way.

Nettle Tea, Quercetin

Posted by Lindsey (Columbus, Ohio) on 12/05/2011
★★★★★

I have had 2 bouts of Hives after going gluten free. I believe contact with gluten is the culprit but I'm not positive. I had a very untimely breakout before Christmas and the only way I got through it was to drink tons of nettle tea and taking quercetin. Both suppress the production of histamine which causes the itching and ill side effects.

There are great supplements out there that contain both. I can't believe this hasn't been posted yet!

Dry Brushing

Posted by Maria (Silver Spring, Md, Usa) on 12/15/2010
★★★★★

Activated charcoal did not work for my hives, but dry brushing, oil of palm and alkalizing did: I had a horrific case of hives, all over my body for about 3 months. It was triggered by taking acidophilus pills, which I believed would get rid of yeast that was causing my toenail fungus. I took the pills twice a day for about 3 weeks. I almost died. The pills did kill a lot of the yeast, which generated so much toxins I broke up all over. I had hives so bad that it looked as if someone had whipped me. I was itching so severely I could not sleep at all. I could not go out. I got a horrible case of athlete's foot, I had a vaginal yeast infection, my ears itch to the point of burning. I was desperate and clueless as of what was going on. I tried activated charcoal and hardly made a ripple. Then reading this site I realized that I had toxins coming out of my skin because I was so overwhelmed with the that my lymphatic system could not get rid of them quick enough.

I started dry brushing before showering, and that helped a lot. A night I would apply oil of palm all over my body for further relief. I started a plan to alkalize my body: stop eating acidifying foods like chocolate, black tea, red meats, etc. And using Ted's alkalizing formula of lemon and baking soda. I added alkalizing foods like cayenne pepper, celery, beets, raw spinach, etc.

The hives and itching went away 100% after about 3 weeks. It has been 4 months and I am free. The itching went first, and then the hives. While I was still healing I helped myself by drying extremely well after showering and by eating mint leaves to minimize the hives. I am now slowly introducing antifungals like garlic, oregano tea, Niacinamide and borax to help me get rid of the excess yeast in my body. The key is to do it slowly, as to not trigger a horrible reaction.

L-Lysine

Posted by Rimanosov (Miami, Fl Usa) on 07/20/2010
★★★★☆

YEA. I've been having hives for 2 months now. After reading this post, I did a search on the internet and went last Friday (July 16, 2010) and bought for $3 a bottle of 500mg L-Lysine. I am taking one at a time on an empty stomach, three times daily. The Saturday I had practically no hives. The itching went away almost completely. Now, four days later, for the first time in two months, I feel something is working. They haven't disappeared completely, but I know I'm getting better every day. I didn't try antihistamine drugs that only mask the symptoms and are not good for the internal organs. I also ordered a blood cleanser on ebay, because I read that according to ayurveda, allergies are usually caused by blood impurities. Thank you for the advice.

Almond, Lavender and Tea Tree Oils

Posted by Ainhi (Buena Park, Ca) on 09/11/2009
★★★★★

I have hives on and off most of my life, but the last month I have breakout a couple time a day and my regular med doesn't seem to work anymore. I usually breakout during the night and wake up with wheal all over my body and face. The eyes and the lips are the worst area because it takes almost a whole day for it to go down. I read somewhere that baby oil help. I don't have baby oil so I mix what I have. Almond oil, lavender oil and tea tree oil together. This really work for me. It stop the crawling itching and it seems to stop the wheals from getting bigger. As soon as I feel the tingling in my lip or eyes I rub on this oil and it calm down right away. I like to pass on what work hopefully it will help someone too. I'm currently on ACV baking soda with honey 3 times a day. I can't tell if this is helping but will keep trying for a few months.

Apple Cider Vinegar, L-Lysine

Posted by Hives In AZ (Phoenix, AZ) on 07/15/2009
★★★★★

Thank you, Earth Clinic! I found your website while searching for something, ANYTHING, that would relieve and cure my hives. My first outbreak was July 2008 and they started as a general itching after I'd been in the pool. I was miserable with them until September when I finally went to see a doctor (after trying to take care of them myself--I thought it was eczema). The doctor gave me a steroid shot and told me to use cortisone cream for the itch and that they would run their course. By the end of September they were gone. They reappeared this year in late June. Not quite as bad, but one hive is enough to drive a person mad! I started on Zyrtec which seemed to help and dabbed Witch Hazel on them to relieve the itch (read about WH somewhere on the web). The WH seemed to work well, but soon lost its efficacy.

I started researching again and found this site and decided to try the apple cider vinegar (2 tsp in 16 oz of water as suggested, plus applied topically to the hives). Miracle of miracles, this is working!! I also added 2,000 mg of L-Lysine/day. Not sure if it's because of the ACV or the L-Lysine or both, but I can honestly say that the ACV works topically and they are clearing up with just a little bit of itching after about 3 days of this treatment. And they seem to be clearing in the order of their appearance: legs then arms and lastly underarms and a few on my back.

I'm also back to using the Witch Hazel for the little bit of itching and it doesn't seem to be as harsh as the ACV and is working great again.

Thank you! So glad I stumbled upon this site. I'll continue with the 2 tsp of ACV in my water as a preventative....

L-Lysine

Posted by Patricia (Los Angeles, California) on 11/04/2011

I have suffered with chronic Hives for the last 4 years!! Woke up with my eye closed shut or my lips all swollen.... I am so grateful to find this page & all the wonderful information, for the first time I feel that I am not alone & not losing my mind!! Thank you so much to all!

Laundry Soap With Bleach

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 03/10/2024
★★★★★

Tide Powder Detergent with Bleach Crystals for Hives

It was 1970's and Kim was 7 years old. She broke out with a case of hives. Her father started a hot bath and put Tide Powder Detergent with Bleach Crystals (about half of the normal amount used in the washing machine) into the bath water. He had Kim get into the bath and soak. She said to felt like it was burning. After 30 minutes of soaking, she got out of the tube and the hives had stopped spreading. The next day, her mom took here to the base hospital (he dad was in the military). She told the Dr. what her dad did and the Dr told her that daddy saved your life.

Medicated Foot Powder

Posted by Renee (Boston) on 09/14/2022 41 posts
★★★★★

I started getting urticaria hives about a year ago, around the same time I developed rheumatoid arthritis - so I believe it's an auto immune dysfunction in my body. The doctors only prescribe Zyrtec, which doesn't work. I thought mine were caused from ibuprophen so I stopped taking that but still got hives anyway. I get them 2x a week but can go 2 weeks without so I have no idea what triggers them. I just started lysine this week but woke up with a swollen face today, upper lip and cheeks. So not sure if lysine is working, it's only been 3 days though.

Last week I had giant hives all over my legs and they itched horribly. I tried witch hazel, cortisone cream and aloe, no relief. I remembered that I used medicated foot powder on my dog's itchy skin and it stopped her itching and calmed all the redness down. It worked for my hives! I wish I could stop them from coming in the first place but for now I have a way to stop the itch. My face and lips don't itch, only the other parts of my body that get the hives. I'd rather them there and itch than have such a swollen face that you can't go out in public because you look like a monster.

Try the foot powder or jock itch powder, I think any medicated powder will work. I'm going to try AC vinegar and baking soda to see if that helps. I'll update and let you know if lysine works too.

Probiotics

Posted by Karen (San Francisco ) on 01/30/2020
★★★★★

Had terrible hives nearly everyday for a year. Now they are gone. I took a basic probiotic for a few weeks and also avoided gluten. Apparently my hives were a gut issue. Wheat seems to be a trigger, bit a wheat free diet alone didn't rid me of hives. Wish I had known about this earlier! A short course of probiotics was a very simple fix.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Karin (Ny State) on 06/05/2018

Thanks for your sage advice Tim. Quercitin is now in my supplements ðŸ˜„

Everything I read about Quercitin is good for histamine intolerance and inflammation.

With Histamine Intolerance, food must be fresh- especially fish. Otherwise, it becomes an extremely high histamine food as the bacteria grow. Histamine cannot be eliminated when frozen or cooked. Once histamine is in the food, it's there until you ingest it. So canned fish is a complete ‘no' and fish that isn't immediately frozen or eaten right after the catch is also a “no.” I wish it wasn't so, because I know Fish oil is usually great for inflammation and joints. I had to discontinue krill oil because the histamine load is too great for my body. I will look into Celadrin. I haven't heard of it before. Thanks!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Anon (Anon) on 10/10/2017

I also tried mixing colloidal silver with hydrogen peroxide and applying it to my underarms and got hives on the insides of my elbows again. So the wild oregano oil probably was fine, it just did its job. I don't want to needlessly scare anyone away from oregano oil. The hives must be a herx reaction. I've been drinking colloidal silver and that seems to make the hives worse, too. Before I had hives the wild oregano oil and colloidal silver both worked well and I had no complaints. And I still use the same brand of each. So yeah, the hives are most likely herx. Olive leaf tea makes it less itchy. I was mushroom hunting through brush not long ago and happened upon some Virginia creeper, so it could even be something like that.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Lalaland (Los Angeles, CA) on 11/28/2014
★★★★★

Greetings all! Wanted to chime in this discussion in the hopes that I can help someone.

Earlier this year I suddenly started having hives...it was super uncomfortable. I would wake up at four with hives all over my body and would get them at various times of the day [they tend to manifest at the same time everyday].

Anyway, I did tons of research as to WHY I was getting these hives! After much trial and investigation I realized that I was GLUTEN SENSITIVE--or at least that I was having this issue because of GRAINS. I stopped eating wheat and also other grains--oatmeal, rice, etc.

It took about 2-3 weeks but the hives went away..until I ate some soy sauce [has gluten] and got the hives again....then went away until I ate flour at a restaurant that claimed there salmon was served with a "butter" sauce...who knew that it had flour in it? Anyway, I got hives again. I called the restaurant and sure enough, they fessed up about the flour. I took a good week for the hives to go away.

Its been about 4 months since I cut out grains and I am happy to report that I no longer have the dreaded hives!!

Now I see the hives as a blessing: my body was talking to me, telling me that grains were not good for me. They were ALSO causing me to put on weight and causing aches and pains.

Since cutting out grains four months ago I have lost about 2 dress sizes [I also later cut out sugar three months ago] and my constant knee pain is also gone!

No way would I consider going back to my old habits! I hope this post helps someone. Consider cutting out all grains for 3-4 weeks, then eat them again. You might find you improve by cutting them out--then a flare up when you add back in. But then, you'll have your solution!

Writing this as I am so sad to see so many people paying their docs good money only to be given meds or topical creams that don't work.

Lastly, grains, nut and diary are very related in some ways...also try cutting out the latter two items...people that have problems with grains can also have problems with nuts and dairy. [you can google this]

Good luck!! :)

""Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." Hippocrates

Iodine

Posted by Sylvia (San Francisco, Ca) on 10/12/2014
★★★★★

I started developing hives recently on a Saturday evening for the first time in my life. Raised bumps on my arms and upper thigh and trunk. Some of the bumps seemed to be joining in pink raised patches which scared me. I am not sure what the trigger was.

I have a bottle of 2% Lugols iodine in a small bottle with a glass dropper in my cabinet which I use topically for minor wounds and scratches. I've aways found topical iodine to also be a wonderful balm for red, itchy, swollen bug bites so I thought I'd try it for the hives.

I placed the iodine drops directly from the dropper onto the hives (or onto my finger tips) and rubbed the iodine in. Within 10-15 minutes the itch was gone. Within hours I noticed the hives had settled down. I woke up the next morning with a few new hive 'patches' on my back which were large and a few new bumps elsewhere. Everyplace I had put iodine on the night before, the hives were gone. So I proceeded to rub the iodine, direct from the dropper, onto the new hives. Within the hour the large patches on my back were no longer raised and after several hours were starting to 'breakup' in terms of color.

Please note that I did not dilute the Lugol's iodine. I placed drops directly on the hive and rubbed it in. If itching didn't stop I reapplied the iodine on the hive 2-3 times until it did. I applied the iodine on all my hives and did not worry about dosage since dermal application generally allows your body to absorb what it needs (in my opinion). Also, if you look at the tremendous amounts of iodine the Japanese ingest daily and their good health I just don't feel the need to be too alarmed with a 2% solution applied to the skin (again, just my opinion).

Topical iodine was a fantastic topical relief solution for me but it still doesn't answer the question as to what triggered my hives. The day before my hives was very stressful so it could be that but I also tried a few new foods - I may never know. If I continue to have hives in the future I will dig deeper, but for now this is a good topical remedy that relieved my itch and my fear. Getting hives is a little scary.

Note: this is obviously not a remedy for people with an iodine sensitivity. Also note, your fingetips will turn quite yellow/reddish so keep that in mind if your hands need to be presentable.

Digestive Enzymes

Posted by Luellamac (Middle Tn) on 02/09/2014
★★★★★

I am satisfied that the digestive enzymes have been the foundation of recovering from hives. My stomach has been rumbling for weeks and has accompanied the onset of hives. The rumbling has stopped and the hives are clearing up. Additionally I rub my body with castor oil once a day with special attention to the hive areas. I take l-lysine three times a day…500 mg and one benadryl. I have tried everything recommended short of prednisone and have very nearly lost my mind itching for weeks. This is the first cessation.

Castor Oil

Posted by Tammy (San Jose, Ca, Us) on 09/13/2013
★★★★☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Regarding Castor Oil- I've had hives for approximately 45 days. I've tried everything. Nothing seems to work. Prescriptions have done nothing but make my skin severely dry. I have applied Castor Oil directly to the hives. It seems to calm them down. But want to warn that, soon after my skin became hot for a short period then I became nauseous. But I figured it was doing something. I feel okay today. I suggest just putting a small portion into skin. Don't over do it. I wasn't able to drink any because of nausea. I think I'll try the ACV next. But Castor oil works well on the surface! Thank you

Nettle Tea

Posted by Ky Mama (Clinton, Ky) on 01/22/2013
★★★★★

My son was three years old when he woke up from a nap covered in hives. I had no idea the cause; he had no unusual exposure to food or anything that I could think of. In trying to figure out what to do (I was worried it was going to get worse! ) I considered that one of his older brothers, whom he is a lot alike, has had trouble with allergies and asthma in the past. If that son took Nettle capsules and Quercetin daily, his problems stopped and eventuallly healed. No was could I get a three year old to swallow capsules. I made him some Nettle Tea, sweetened it (honey, stevia, whatever) and he drank it in a sippy cup. In twenty minutes, his hives were gone. The next day it happened again... He woke up from his nap with hives. Less this time. I gave him Nettle Tea again and they were gone very quickly. That was over a year ago and he hasn't had hives since. Nettle is amazing! I had trouble with chronic hives years ago and I wish I had known about Nettle back then.

Beer

Posted by Abel (Munchen, Germany) on 10/01/2012
★★★★★

Hello, When I had Hives in the past, Benedryl worked wonders, but now it doesn't seem to help. The two things I found that help are chemical-wise a pill called Cetirizin which is an offshoot of Benedryl, and the second, now don't laugh till you try it... Is Beer! In Germany there is a purity law which Bier can only be produced from Hops, Water and Malt, nothing else. As I was drinking one evening, about two hours later I noticed ALL the hives (welts) were gone! No I don't advocate drinking beer till you drop, but try Hops as a tea, this too has been helping. I boil water, let the hops soak for about 5 min. , add some honey and there you go.

For now, it's five o'clock somewhere, so PROST and good luck! =) Abel.

Castor Oil

Posted by Djhanet (FL) on 05/04/2025
★★★★★

I was so desperate... I tried everything and nothing worked. I decided to try the BLACK CASTOR OIL and wow.... it stops ALL ITCHING for HOURS and helped me sleep. I just started - day 2.... so I hope it clears my hives.

L-Lysine

Posted by Anon (Whittier, CA) on 05/28/2009
★★★★★

Hi,

I have had episodes of hives/rash since the 1980's. I read about L-lysine here on Earth Clinic and I decided to try it. Thankfully my episodes are a lot fewer now with the help of L-lysine. I only take L-lysine as needed and of course if possible at the onset one 1000mg. My hives/rash has not gotten full blown since I started taking L-Lysine.

Before L-lysine my hives/rash would follow a defined pattern (nerve endings) on my upper body, my neck, hairline down to both elbow creases, down to the back of my knees.

I would feel hot to the touch and very fatigued but wouldn't run a temperature or so they told me at the doctor's office. It would run it's course and fade away. I hated wearing mock turtlenecks during the summer.

After several doctor visits I stopped going they couldn't give me any answers one doctor brought out a medical book, one wanted to do a punch biopsy.

I also had a thumb nail that got 100% better after soaking in Apple cider vinegar again I credit Earth Clinic. It really looked bad before treating with Apple Cider Vinegar in fact my mother noticed my improvement and began soaking her finger and she had improvement too it's not 100% yet but it works. It didn't take months to see the improvement.

Hopefully by sharing my story it may help someone.

Thank-you Earth Clinic and to all the contribute their experiences.

Medicated Foot Powder

Posted by Jay (Canada) on 09/14/2022

Try borax. Washing affected area with borax as required should provide quick, lasting results with no side effects. Take collagen for the arthritis. Let us know how it goes.

Medicated Foot Powder

Posted by RW (OH) on 09/16/2022

Hi Renee,

Your post brought back memories of having giant hives for many years! My doctor, back then, gave me a refillable prescription for 50 mg of Benedryl that I took for many years. Now, I have memory interruptions that I believe came from that and other statin and sleep meds prescribed, but the Benedryl works fairly quickly. Another thing that helped was a suggestion from a nurse to use liquid starch (comes in a quart or gallon bottle, I believe) and pour it into a cool bath until the water feels “starchy, ” and just soak for a half hour or so. Not sure if this is available at grocery stores still since people seldom starch their clothes any more.

I hope you get relief soon. Best wishes.

Dietary Changes

Posted by All Dogs Go to Heaven (USA) on 08/04/2023

Hi Karin, I have some information that may help you. Sea salt is a natural antihistamine. I discovered this when I researched why salt made me feel better. My sodium levels are always low or low normal. The normal dose is a teaspoon per day in divided doses. I need more. Also, liposomal Vitamin C helps. I take quite a bit. Avoid being dehydrated, as this increases histamine. There is also an “H” block supplement you take with meals. I have found that chocolate and tomatoes increase my need for salt drastically. Of course avoid anything aged or fermented.