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.
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!
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.
Kefir
Posted by Anonymous (Kansas City, Mo) on 01/23/2011
★★★★★
My 1 year old has had daily hives for about 3 months following an upper respiratory infection. I could control them with an antihistamine but he seemed so groggy. I gave him a glass of Kefir daily for about a week and they have finally resolved.
Oil Pulling
Posted by Janet6 (Brooklyn, Ny) on 09/18/2010
★★★★★
I have been doing OP with virgin olive oil for over four years. This has now become part of my morning routine. The first week I started, I experienced a clean palate which I think resulted in my new experience of foods. I now enjoy my foods and eat with more gusto. My other observance was that I slept more soundly and felt more refreshed and energized upon waking. Each day I eagerly started my morning doing O/P and then a thorough brush with my regular tooth-paste and baking soda and salt. My breath definitely improved during the day. However, the most important and startling feature of this new practice for me was that it cured my hives. I suffered with this allergic reaction for more than 20 years and all I got from my doctors was temporary relief. I had been using Benadryl, Allegra, Zyrtec, Prednisone among many but when I started O/P, it cured my allergies, which came out in the form of hives ( raised irregular shapes all over my body which were crazily itchy and ugly). I could not even talk about them, I felt like they were listening and would re-visit me. After four years of O/p I think this is the most amazing thing that could happen to someone with allergies. I feel that anyone with allergies can benefit if I can. I have been passing on by word of mouth to all my friends and family and those who try it tell me the wonderful results they too are having. I believe this has even helped me with whatever pain I have had in my shoulders and knees. I have experienced expelling a lot of phlegm which I am amazed is in my body as I never seem to have a cold or cough. Over the years, my face has gotten smoother than when I was younger. No one believes how old I am and I will not tell. I have used sesame oil and sunflower oil and I like olive oil the best.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Tom (Regina, Sk) on 08/17/2010
Cheree:
What have you tried from this forum?
The cheapest and most readily available can always be tried right away! Try oil pulling. You likely have some type of kitchen bottled oil there. It says the oil should be COLD PRESSED, but not necessarily EV or organic.
Http://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/oil_pulling.html
There's no doubt he is getting an aggravated IgE response. Double check his DIET to make sure he's not getting just a food allergy reaction.
One common cause of hives symptom is heavy metals poisoning. Mercury, lead, aluminium, barium, ... It would also explain the achy joints, but that could also be an invasive candida infection or a hundred other things. The body is simply trying to get rid of these metals without damaging the kidneys, hence out through the 'third kidney'.
Has he had recent teeth fillings done, or a vaccine?
If so, then a cheap way to push out some of it even faster is once again, IODINE (Lugols or SSKI), orally and/or topically on the hives:
But this could take many months at least, and maybe in the meantime the hives will get worse.
Quicker for heavy metals, but more money, would be to find a zeolite product, maybe in a health store or online:
I don't see zeolite here this site as a category under Remedies, but someone under 'oil pulling' mentioned it. Try those for now!
Triphala
Posted by Sue (Bismarck, ND) on 04/18/2009
★★★★★
I had active hives for 8 months straight (they came on out of the blue) and was on antibiotics and prednisone for most of that time. As soon as I would quit taking those 2, the hives were back with a vengeance. After researching once again for a "cure", I came upon an ayurvedic remedy that has kept the hives under control now for almost a year. As long as I take triphala daily, the hives stay away. I have tried to stop the triphala, but about 2 days in, will start feeling the facial tightness and generalized itchiness again. So will continue taking it daily. It's a sight better for me than suffering with palm sized welts on my face and neck and the other smaller welts and bumps over the rest of my body.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Stacy (Dickinson, Texas) on 01/22/2009
★☆☆☆☆
Apple cider vinegar made mine worse because it boosts the immune sys and its already awake if you have hives. Its attaking yourself. Your body's antihistimines cause hives but I have found no cure. My dr. increased my thyroid med and has calmed my hives but they are still here. I take a lot of antihistimines but the hives peek through. Over the last year they have been really bad. Prednisone works but has bad side effects. When my face gets them I go to the dr. and get a steroid shot.
Warm Weather
Posted by DAVE (WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN) on 11/10/2008
★★★★★
I have had chronic intermitten hives attacks all my life and get temporary relief with atarax. however real relief occured when i vacation* in warm weather regions; the change of my environment and diet resulted ib long term relief. i conclused the hives were a result of emotional stress.
*my last vacation in mexico gave me hives relief in exchange for montezuma's revenge .......a fair exchange.
Kokam
Posted by HM (London, UK) on 09/03/2008
★★★★★
From various website, I gathered various treatment. I started with hives 6 weeks ago. I did try ACV with baking soda morning and evening but it hives was appearing every evening. Except I went on holiday. My hives are started disappearing from the skin. I did the following for a week.
1. I am taking multivitamins tablets from Holland & Barratt everyday.
2. I am also taking echinacea tablets morning and evening again from Holland and Barratt.
and finally,
3. I also use Kokam (indian spice) soft one.
In a cup, I take 5 - 6 Kokam soft one and pour with half a cup of hot water and then mix it. I use liquid to drink and rub remaining kokam from the mix on hives. I drink this mixer twice a day one in the morning and one in the evening. You can get Kokam from Indian grocery shop.
I hope this will help many of you.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda, Exercise
Posted by Jeff (Atlanta, GA) on 08/05/2008
★★★★★
For the past two years I suffered from a severe case of chronic urticaria and angiodaema that manifested itself on my palms and soles as well as my legs and face. My particular condition would not respond to the traditional prescription medications of H1 and H2 inhibitors (anitihistamines) even though I was taking twice the daily recommended dosage. I was even put on low dose cyclosporine therapy by my allergist/immunologist in a vain attempt to control this condition. The only alternative that succeeded in temporarily relieving the urticaria was prednisone (which is too dangerous to be considered a long term solution). My condition was so severe that I was unable to leave the house because of the embarrassment of the visible wheals on my arms and face. The hives and swelling kept me from going in to work on more than one occassion, and kept me from being about to go out and socialize as well. It also was exacerbated by exercise as well as hot or cold weather. Needless to say I had exhausted what I thought was all the possible causes and possible means to cure my ailment to no avail. That was until my mother called me after reading a book about the benefits of apple cider vinegar. My further research led me to this site (and for that I thank God!), and my condition has ceased completely! I contine to use raw ACV along with baking soda and don't plan on ever stopping. I am no longer on any medications whatsoever...which I think is Truly Amazing. Thank you Ted and the good folks at earthclinic for the website and the willingness to help people. It really is amazing that something so simple accomplished what literally thousands of dollars of prescription medicine could not.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda, Exercise
Posted by Kenny (Strathclyde, Scotland) on 02/20/2008
★★★★★
I have suffered from Cholinergic Urticaria or Hives as it's more commonly known, for the past 15 years. I have attended Dermatologists galore, tried anti-histamines and all sorts! To no avail. So... I did some research and tried a number of things, natural and herbal, like Quercetin tabs (found in red onions) which is natures anti-histamine, with mixed success. Interestingly though, my ailment appears when stressed, hot - in warm weather or artificial heat, like a sauna, sweating or excercising vigorously and is manifest with red bumps all over my arms, legs, neck and torso which can become itchy - not to mention unsightly. I found the best treatment is an Air Bath - cool or cold air outdoors, minus the clothes, not always possible though!! ;-)I've been on ACV for a while (read my last post on 2/19/08) and decided to manipulate the system I had adopted and over-and-above my two cups of ACV/water solution a day, I decided to try the ACV/bicarb of soda (2tablespns to 1/4teaspn mix in water) about half an hour before vigorous excercise. The red bumps were hardly noticeable, I was wearing a short sleeved t-shirt for the first time in ages, and when I finished, I went for my usual 'sauna, cold shower, steam bath then another cold shower' routine to finish off. Normally,I'd look like I had been stung by a thousand bees! Literally. However, on this occassion, my skin was pretty clear, not red and inflamed looking - very few small red bumps but hardly noticeable, I felt fantastic!! No skin experts, doctors or snake oil salesmen could break the code, but I think I may have. Interestingly though, I beleive wholeheartedly that part of the problem is acid/alkali PH balance in the body and crucially, when out of kilter, renders the body susceptible to all-sorts of conditions. Thanks to Ted for the tip!!!
Borax and DMSO
Posted by Dinah (South Carolina) on 06/06/2025
I would love to have the recipe for dmso and boron for hives.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Sunshine (Montreal) on 07/19/2019
★★★★★
Have had problems with chronic Urticaria for 4 years mainly because at first I was fermenting and eating A LOT of veggies, yogurt and whatever I felt like fermenting (had a period!) Alcohol was also part of it for often, summer equals COLD BEER!
After all this time my face was pretty messed up, had the hives all over, to a point where it looked scary!. So of course I started reading about it and wanted a permanent solution, one that was SIMPLE, SHORT and EFFICIENT. I tried many things, all I could find really but without satisfaction. Then I started reading about the enzyme "diamine oxidase" which digests histamines and looked it up on amazon, but living in Canada I found it absolutely unaffordable! So I turned to the one thing that always got me out of trouble, I focused on the body's wisdom to fabricate the enzyme itself. So to shorten a long story here is what I did: I eat 3 bites of food at a time and wait till the stomach gargles again before I eat another 3 bites (about two to three hours). I try to avoid the high histamine foods without being too strict about it for it takes a little histamines for the metabolism to kick in and produce the enzyme. I eat a bit of Olive Oil (two to three tsp/day) to stimulate the production of Diamine Oxidase. Taking “BIO K” yogourt, just a small tea spoon two to three times/day (keep a minute underneath the tong.) as well as: Histaminum 30 ch to desensitize histamines. Apis Mellifica 9 ch for itches and Allium Cepa for nose leaks from histamines outside. STOP all supplements for three days. Much better after 3 days though always a bit worst at night. Started taking D, K 2, Iodine, Calcium and Magnesium again, eating small meals for a while and adding lemon juice or apple cider vinegar (two TBSP) with 1/8 tsp of Bicarbonate in a glass of water.
UPDATE
A month now after this small effort, I have no more hives... GONE! I can have a drink here and there but for as long as I keep my electrolytes balanced and I don't exaggerate on the fun, skin remains clear. I also eat all I want, no more diet. If you want to try it and need help, just ask it will be my pleasure ! :)
Take care Sunshine
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pat (Nashville, TN) on 01/05/2022
What exactly do you do with Apple cider vinegar? Drink or bathe with it?
EC: Poster from 2016 probably drank it.
Pectin
Posted by Barbara (San Marcos, Texas) on 12/27/2015
★★★★★
In 2013 we did a second and probably not final downsizing of our lives and household good...part of that was leaving our good mattress in South Carolina before moving to Texas....
We up-sized household goods and purchased a very comfortable Therapedic Memory Foam Mattress....three months later I woke up with what I knew was hives (never had allergic breakouts in life-69 yrs of age) on entire torso...I called my husband, and he began to ask what I had eaten different from him and if we had change detergents....I told him nothing had changed.
After immediately researching hives and changing our diet to low histamine...I visited my doctor and dermatologist to be told I had hives...My husband and I constantly went over our lifestyle...
We were renting an apartment with my computer station in our bedroom...my mind was going over my problem...I kept asking myself what was new and different....We had purchased all new furniture and household goods....Suddenly I looked around at the bed and googled "Can your mattress make you sick?" WOW!!!!
i tried many of the suggestions on this site and others....an associate that was into "New Age, Organic..etc" told me to do a Pectin Cleanse...I did not comprehend at first...I asked, "Do you mean the Pectin that is used in canning?" Answer was yes.....
MY CURE.... RECOMMENDED DAILY DOSAGE OF PECTIN (POWDER) FOR YOUR BODY.... THIS CAN BE FOUND BY GOOGLING... I USED APPROXIMATELY A TBSP... I IMMEDIATELY SAW CHANGE AND HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE... OVER TWO YEARS LATER.
If you take medications and or supplements you should take your Pectin dose at what you consider a safe time of day so that your meds/supplements are not removed from body.
Hives Triggers
Posted by Timh (KY) on 02/20/2015 2041 posts
K: In addition to other good replies, in an effort to reduce the inflammatory response, increase Cold Water Fish in the diet or supplement Fish Oil and/or Flax Seed Oil. Brazil Nuts or supplemental Selenium is a very important antioxidant that insures protection of the sensitive Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Also be sure to take a Vit-C that has additional Citrus Bioflavonoids. Turmeric and Pineapple are good anti-inflammatory foods.
Water and Baking Soda
Posted by Joyce (Easley, Sc) on 07/21/2014
★★★★★
I have battled with uticaria (hives) for 25 years.
They come on sudden and once they start I have in my youth battled with them daily for years at a time...miserable teen years...UNTIL
in my 20's I started a rotation diet to find out what I was most sensitive to. Plus began eating perservative/additive free. Good home cooking with NO MSG! And all its little counter parts. That process helped tremendously.
Then when I was 30, I was using a lot of bleach and started using a laundry soap that was not natural and hives hit me hard again. After 9 months of torture, I read a book called the water cure and increased my water intake by an extra quart a day. In a few days they had stopped. I have always been a low water drinker.
I am 47 now, and a few weeks I was into bleach and staining and other paint chemicals and they came on with vengence again. This time I stopped them in their tracks by drinking a huge glass of water with a tsp of baking soda mixed in it, (on an empty stomach) when I would wake up at night.
I am thrilled...so thrilled to have control of them so quickly.
Joyce
P.S. 27 years of studying health and helping my family naturally. If your really sick...start juicing veges and get off ALL premade food. It will blow your mind how many things your body can heal/correct that the doc says "It's inherited". Yea right. My Father was healed from heart disease/diabetes/ gout/ arthritis and tons of other issues. I was healed from ganglia cysts, trigger thumb, stomach ulcers, and other female issues. Your body was created to HEAL itself when given the right tools.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Blossom1464 (Birmingham, Al) on 06/23/2013
★☆☆☆☆
I've been using ACV with mother for over a year 2x a day. My body ph is 6.75, slightly acidic. I was taking kelp pills once a day, and apparently had an allergic reaction. I have raised white hives all over, from head to toes. They don't itch except on my neck. So obviously ACV isn't working. I tried ACV on skin yesterday, on white raised hives it didn't hurt, but didn't do anything. On neck where red and itchy it made it worse. I've been into herbs and natural healing for years.
I decided to not take benadryl after yest. morning, and instead took 1/2 tsp of baking soda twice yesterday in 8oz water. I also showered with pine tar soap, and pine tar shampoo. It felt better after shower, but today I'm just as covered up as I was. They are like huge white welts, some red bumps in pores. I think the only thing I can do is just let it work it's way out of my system.
I've had red itchy rashes before, but not sure what the trigger is, other than maybe stress and antibiotics. I'm going to start taking benadryl, I see no other way around this.
I also oil pull with virgin coconut oil everyday, have for a couple years. Stopped last night so it wouldn't get worse. I still think it's the kelp, it upset my stomach horribly. I can't take activated charcoal because I'm on pills I need to take.
Any idea anyone? I love this site, come here often.
Beer
Posted by Viji (Princeton, Nj) on 07/26/2016
Please beer could cause severe hives. Please any fermented drink or food can aggravate hives. Please don't say it is a solution.
