How To Quickly Get Rid Of Hives

Hives are a common type of skin inflammation, affecting around 20% of the population at some time in their lives, according to the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Most cases of hives go away within 24 hours, but they can last up to several months. Even if they last only a few days, experiencing hives can be extremely unpleasant, even disruptive. If you don't want to wait for hives to subside on their own, there are some things you can try to help get rid of them quickly.

The Mayo Clinic describes hives as red or purplish, itchy, and raised welts or bumps on the skin that vary in size. Also called Urticaria, the symptoms can last hours or months. Acute hives appear for anywhere from one hour to six weeks. But for most people, hives go away on their own within a day. Chronic hives, however, last more than six weeks and may persist for months at a time. The good news is that even chronic hives usually fade over time, says Columbia University. In fact, many medications and home remedies can help with symptoms.

The exact causes of acute hives often remain unknown, but are thought to be induced by an allergic reaction. Experts at the Mayo Clinic have pinpointed a few potential allergen-inducing sources, including food, medication, insect bites, and airborne allergens. If you suspect a specific food or medicine as the cause of hives, the first thing you can do to get rid of hives quickly is to stop eating that food or taking that medication, but make sure you talk to your doctor before stopping any prescription medications. If you don't know which food may be the culprit, but suspect a food source, you could try eating only low-histamine foods.

The itchy, red welts of hives form when the body releases histamines, and over-the-counter antihistamines can help treat the symptoms of hives, says Columbia University. There are different antihistamines, and sometimes one type of antihistamine works better for individuals than another. Sometimes several antihistamines work better together than one on its own. If the hives are severe, your doctor may prescribe a steroid or other medication. But one of the most pleasant ways to get rid of hives quickly is by taking an oatmeal bath. According to WebMD, health practitioners have recommended oatmeal baths for hundreds of years to soothe skin irritations, and recent studies show its effectiveness for hives. Since hives can be caused or exacerbated by stress, a relaxing oatmeal bath could be just what the doctor ordered.