The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by V. (Orlando, Fl) on 10/02/2011
★★★★★
I have had hives for over a year and a half now. I got it a month after the passing of my grandmother who raised me. Many doctors discard the fact that emotional changes can trigger hives, yet there are some that do not discard that. In my case, I have been diagnosed with chronic urticaria. I have experienced it all, swelling of tongue and throat, and huge welts on my skin and even my face! I was so desperate because I have been to 2 specialists, and all they do is keep prescribing different anthihistamines and steroids like prediscone, which I hate because the relief is temporary, yet the side effects are horrible and more permanent. In my desperation, I said to myself there has to be a natural way to cure this.
So, here is what I have done, and have been doing for a week now, and let me tell you, even though I cannot say yet that the hives are permanently gone, the difference is pretty much close to it. So I really hope this will help some of you: First, ACV does work. You have to however, get the organic ACV! That is very important! I started drinking ACV and it has tremendously improved my breakouts! I no longer get big welts, and I do get a few small breakouts on my legs, but they dissppear quick. Haven't had swelling since I started drinking ACV. The other thing I found really helps with the itching besides the good o'l aloe vera plant, is oatmeal body lotion! It's miraculous! Oatmeal is an anti itching agent. I rub it on my skin everyday and night, and the itching is gone almost instantly! I also use castor oil to rub on my skin! Yes, the combo of castor oil and oatmeal lotion really helps. There is something about the castor oil, that helps diminish the welts and stop them from coming out and spreading. They sell the castor oil you can rub on your body at the beauty section of any health food grocery store. It's amazing! So you may want to try this to see if this brings as much instant relief as it has done for me. Good luck and God bless!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dodge (Lincoln, Ne/usa) on 12/11/2009
★★★★☆
I have been dealing with chronic urticaria of around 20 years. Each year they get a little worse. For the past 5 years of so I have been dealing with them with Cimetidine and Cetirizine. During warmer weather I can get by with very little but when it gets colder I need more. When winter hit this year it got really bad and I was taking a lot of Cimetidine trying to slow it down. Was not working and I was getting concerned. I found the information about using ACV and gave it a try taking it three times a day. Within 2 days the wheals where gone just a little iching or tingle left. I have even been able to cut back the meds to more normal summer levels. I have not played with different amounts of ACV yet but pleased so far.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Crystal (South GA, GA) on 03/27/2008
★★★★★
I break out in hives from food allergies. The last rash of hives was very bad and would stop itching so I rub AVC on it and it burned but the itching stopped and the rash wash gone in about a week. I also have herpes so I though I would try it on a sore and again the itch disappeared and the sore healed in two days. Next I am going to try drinking it and hopefully it will help prevent the allergies and outbreaks. I applied the AVC twice a day with a cotton ball.
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.
Borax and DMSO
Posted by Renee (Boston) on 05/25/2022 41 posts
Thank you, yes I have read that. The cream I used was almost pure emu so I'm assuming it's OK. It was hand made by a person who suffers from multiply muscular ailments with all natural ingredients, which were very few. I think next time I make a batch I am going to use organic coconut oil because the other stuff was very expensive.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Us) on 08/13/2019
Dr. Batmanghelidj wrote in his books that histamine is a dehydration signal . Dehydration is a mineral /water imbalance. Histamine can cause hives . So if one mineral or water is out of balance you can have many things happen, Hives, runny nose ,itchy skin or eyes, headaches, nausea, digestion issues, brain fog, fatigue , vomiting. Stress makes the body produce cortisol and that further dehydrates the body. Swimming or bathing takes water out of the body. Mineral salts hold water in place. Bile is slowed or stopped by cortisol and also by low fat diets. Take ox bile supplements to restart bile flow. Bile is needed to absorb nutrients when you eat or drink. I am still trying to learn how to be well. Blessings, Charity
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 10/03/2017
★★★★★
I got hives for the first time ever. I'm 38. I think from a bottle of wild oregano oil. I put some under my arms to see if it could be used for deodorant. Yes! But then I noticed itchy bumps on my arm inside my elbow. Thinking back I also got itchy bumps on my face and scalp from it. I have used the same brand before without issue so dunno what happened. Anywho. This morning more hives on my hip and waist and on my lower legs, too.
I've been scrubbing with a washcloth soaked with 3% hydrogen peroxide on the hives on my legs and they are nearly gone. The hives on my hips and waist are still there. So yay! for hydrogen peroxide for hives. :)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Forge On! (Midwest Of Usa) on 01/06/2022
★★★★★
Yes, drinking ACV (ALWAYS diluted! ) helps. However, my 2-cents here......I had shingles on my face & eye over 10 years ago. Using DILUTED ACV in a spray bottle (or gently dabbed) helped relieve / reduce itch. Probably also prevented scarring......
Detox
Posted by Larry (Fairfax, Va) on 02/10/2016
To: Steve (Alaska) - Thanks for reporting on how you overcame your severe hive problem. Can you please give more details as to the amount & frequency of the ACV, activated charcoal, DAO Histaminase, and Quercetin that you had used? Thanks. - Larry / Fairfax, VA
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 05/19/2015
I've heard of this a number of times in the past few months...
In most recent case a male, aged 30 reports a rash breaks out intermittently on torso, legs, arms. Very itchy and with small welts. It goes away in a few weeks but a month later reappears in a different location.
This has been going on for about a year and a half. He has been to three doctors and given antibiotics. The rashes continue.
I asked him, if prior to onset, he had had any significant viral infections. Yes, he reported; a very bad and long lasting sinus infection plus some serious dental work that produced a long lasting infection on one side of his face.
With that I wondered if he had a blood born virus infection and discounted a fungal infection. However, I asked a long shot question....have you had any problem with mold in some damp area, at house or work, and ... one more...any problem with infection where dirt might have been involved. No mold...but yes to the dirt! He'd been playing softball and slid into a base and severely tore off skin while sliding into the dirt. Leg became infected and swollen for weeks.
So my thought is a possible double issue...virus plus fungi.
He is now on doses of colloidal silver three times daily. If his energy levels begin returning within 2 weeks, the infection theory might have some validity and he'd continue taking the CS for a considerable length of time.
If anyone else on EC has any other ideas please post.
Oh, also in the past 3 weeks he had begun having intestinal problems...digestion difficulty. My fear...perhaps the infection is not just in the blood but is invading other systems. So now he is also taking Apple Cider Vinegar in the evening...a tablespoon in glass of water.
Chickweed Tea
Posted by Madelyn (Idaho) on 05/15/2022
Yes, KADI. You can absolutely drink chickweed tea! I buy a pound of organic, dried chickweed at a time and use it to make tea. I like to boil about a quart of water and add a handful of chickweed. Cover and let steep 4 or more hours. Strain and drink. It's delicious and very nutritious! Totally safe to drink during pregnancy.
Hives Triggers
Posted by Kate77 (Hudson Valley, Ny) on 02/19/2015
It's been below zero in the Hudson Valley for over a month with no January thaw. We have forced hot-air heat and DO RUN a humidifier because of the dryness. I take lysine, Vit. D, C, B-complex, acidophilous, Kelp, and drink a green drink each day with psyllium hulls, chlorella and spirulina. Yesterday when I came home it was so cold. I put on my fleece thermal underwear and low and behold, felt very itchy on my back. After several minutes of scratching and no relief, I realized I had hives! I removed the fleece (polyester), had my husband put aloe vera on my back and put on a cotton T-shirt. Immediate relief! But this morning my back is irritated from all of the scratching I did. I usually wear only cotton, so that my body can breathe. Lesson learned.
Hives Triggers
Posted by Mr. Ree (Usa) on 02/19/2015
★★★★★
Kate77, If your clothing was new it contains bromide which can cause horrific hives...I know several people who got bad cases from new mattresses. Sealy being the worst. "Bromide is a flame retardant that they put in carpeting, furniture, mattresses, clothing, computers, iPhones and automobiles-just to name a few." (to quote Stephanie Buist). The punch line is the flame retardant does no better job from stopping a fire than without it...You can "Google" the test results. Another govt. regulation that is causing the public it's health, but making someone a lot of $$$.
Chia Seeds
Posted by Lorrainez (Concord, Ca) on 02/12/2013
★★★★★
In 2012 I started to juice a lot of kale. I beleive that I released too many toxins into my system and began breaking out in hives (entire body) and vaginally bleeding. I went to 5 different specialist and all the test said I was fine. Bendaryl didnt work after a week or two. From this website I found ACV which I bathed in daily (to keep the hives under control). But I wanted to fix the problem not just maintain. A friend of mine who sells chia seeds gave me a bag to try. I took a scoop a day and within 3 day the hives went away and the bleeding stopped. My belief is that I had way too many toxins floating around in my body and my body was naturally trying to eliminate it. The chia seed allowed it to be flushed out through my bowel movements instead of my skin. I am blessed that I found the answer for my body and I hope this helps someone.
Dry Brushing
Posted by Sarah (Leicester, Uk) on 01/03/2013
★★★★★
Hi, I've suffered with cronic urticaria for 6 months... I've been allergy tested for everything to no avail and am taking constant high doses of certirizine. When very severe I have taken steroids which clear it up for about 2 weeks. After another week of swelling from top to toe (literally! ) I found this website the night before another trip to the Dr for more steroids... Wow... I dry brushed my entire body, had a tepid shower and smothered myself with bio oil (the only thing I had made from mineral oil) before going to bed. My rash is always worse in the morning so I didn't know what to expect but I woke up so the tiniest rash and jumped for joy! As recommended I have also invested in some oil of oregano (capsules for ingesting) and charcoal to try and alkalise my body, reducing toxins and acidity. I thing the suggestion is to apply the oil at night, dry brush in the morning then shower. I hope this helps someone. This is a horrible condition with no medical answers so finger crossed and good luck to you all.
Beer
Posted by Dv (Naples, Fl) on 05/04/2017
★★★★★
Everyone is different! I have also noticed beer alleviates my hives! I will try the hops in tea since I usually don't drink at work, although tempting...
Beer
Posted by Amie (Florida) on 10/26/2024
Perhaps it is the Vitamin b's found in Malt and hops? I will start taking a vitamin B complex and see if that helps.
Alkalize
Posted by Mclovin (Saint Petersburg, Fl) on 05/20/2012
★★★★★
I have suffered from chronic hives (daily) since 1994. I have been on every allergy med known to man!
On a fluke, my husband mentioned my pH balance. I went to the vitamin store, bought some pH testing tape and pH-basic herbal supplements. It turns out that I was DANGEROUSLY ACIDIC (5.0)! This morning, my pH levels are 5.8... Less than 24 hours after taking the pH-basic!
Doctors don't want to tell you that a majority of people's problems are pH balance related! They just want to get the pharmaceutical companies money! I really hopes this helps. As someone who has suffered from severe daily hives for 18 years, and popped 250mg of allergy meds every 6 hours, I know what I'm talking about!
Toothpaste
Posted by Natasha (Auckland, New Zealand) on 02/07/2012
★★★★★
I have never had hives before but two weeks ago I started getting them first on my legs. Then on my arms. At the beginning they were small in size. Later they appeared on my upper arm, underarm, neck and even face. It was itching crazy. Immidiately after I scratched them, they was growing in size and was looking like raised flat topped bumps.
I was searching everywhere for some remedy and decided to try using tooth paste. I rubbed it onto hives and minutes later itching disappeared!! Hour later the hives were not swollen any longer and started to dissappear fully.
I don't know if it will help me to get rid of them fully, cos I tried this today, so I just have to wait and see. At least it helps to get rid of itchiness for sure.
Nettle Tea, Quercetin
Posted by Ursula (Weston, Florida, Usa) on 01/05/2012
★★★★★
I gave my 10 year old son quercetin 500 mg with bromelein caps a few days ago and he hasn't had hives since then. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this might be his cure or at least the best way to manage his daily hives.
My son has had hive attack daily for the past two years. They appeared suddenly out of the blue and have plagued him ever since sometimes multiple times a day. We never go anywhere without Bendadryl and Zyrtec and sometimes even those don't work so well. He also had about 20 NAET treatments with a chiropractor that gave him marginal results while he was getting them but had no long term results.
Banana Peel
Posted by Sarah (Littleville, Alabama, Usa) on 11/23/2011
★★★★★
Rub the inside of a banana peel anywhere you have hives. The itching will be gone in a second or two. You won't be sticky or anything, it soaks in just like lotion, nice and dry, not greasy. You still need to figure out the cause if it's a chronic condition, but you won't itch anymore!
Alkalize
Posted by Ruben (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 10/31/2011
★★★★★
hi There
I'm having hives every morning for the last 3 weeks
I did some research and after 2 days 90% hives are gone.
1) Checked Body PH balance by testing urine, if acidic PH
If PH
Then you need to do the followoing to bring your balance to 7. 0 and hoping the hives will improve.
a) Take ACV 2tbsp and 1/4 tsp in 8oz/ 1 cup of warn water in the morning and night for 5-7 days.
b) Take Antacid Alkaline Salts 3 tablets in the morning and night. (pH Balance Pascoe)
You should see an improvement after 2 days.
In addition, I'm taking grape seeds 2 capsules in the morning and night instead reactine or benadryl.
Hope this helps..
Ruben
Baby Oil
Posted by Misty (New Mexico) on 12/23/2023
Have you done 24hr urine Histamine clearance test? If so sorry, I dealt, still started again from hives, everyday 2010 till 2019. Nobody wud listen to me, nor acknowledge that I have them.Finally went out network found an allergist who was most sympathetic toward me with the issue. That was 2018, but they had go in network, had return to the place that basically threw me out in 2010 & 2017. Looking at Histamine clearance in 24hr urine results from out network dr came up with game plan. I was, am desperate. Started giving me Cromolyn Sodium, it is medication put into water, ingested 4x day. If I put any kind of lotion, oil, baby oil onto my skin while hives acting up makes it a million times worse. There is more to this tale, but if you are just find out if it is NOS hives or from Histamine Intolerance, it could be helpful for you.
Sorry if you have already done this test and I am rambling. Good luck.
L-Lysine
Posted by Jfm (London, England) on 07/29/2011
To Janet from Kendal, Uk. Thanks for your reply. When you say your hives have now gone was that due to bathing in the AVC or Hydrogen Peroxide? If so, what quantity of AVC or HP did you use in the bath? And how long did it take before you completely got rid of the hives? Thank you.
L-Lysine
Posted by Janet (Kendal, U.k) on 07/30/2011
RE-bathing in Vinegar I used the plain old malt , much cheaper only used a couple of times a couple of cup fulls to a bath. Was a bit scared to be honest with the HP, but same with that. (and I am still here.!!! Lol. )but the relief I got was instantely felt.
The burn, itch, pain cycle was broken. Let me sleep far more restfully. And help me feel much better all round. I continue to do the above once a week to maintain but but never felt this good in months.
Maybe you can persuade your daughter to drink a little too I do but ACV with BS. it alkalise your systom which I believe was the root of the problem.
Hope she feels better soon , for anyone that hasn, t had this to contend with it, s a blessing because it, s damned right awful.
P.S be great to know if it helps her. :)
Iodine
Posted by Laurie Anne (Ridge Manor, Fl, Usa) on 07/26/2011
★★★★★
After finding temporary success with many therapies such as ACV, digestive enzymes and an antihistamine diet, I am very pleased to share that I have permanently resolved my hives by taking lugols iodine 2% 2-6 drops, twice a day in water ( with 1/2 tsp. ACV when I remember ). As advised on other websites, I also am mindful to continue taking selenium, magnesium and vit. C, but not at the same time as the iodine (vit. C ). I have been suffering from this condition for 3 years and found it to exacerbate with heat, many different foods and stress.
Apparently iodine is beneficial for every dermatological condition, as it is used by every cell in the body, with increased use by the endocrine system ( yes it balances the thyroid, regulates estrogen production and diminishes cysts in the breasts and ovaries ) and the skin. You could easily substitute iosol iodine and take appx. 6-10 drops twice a day to get a similar effect. I recommend these two products because they have iodine and potassium iodide and the body needs both for optimal health. Iodine has numerous other uses and benefits and I am now recommending it to every one I know... It's well worth the cost and I have had no side effects except some fatigue for the first few days of use. Iodine will displace other heavy metals and I also advise researching "bromism" or bromine toxicity as well.
