Hives, also known as urticaria, are red, itchy bumps that appear on the skin, usually as an allergic reaction to food, heat, medications, or even stress. Each hive typically only lasts for about 24-hours, says WebMD, however new ones can appear as old ones fade. Minor cases of hives last a couple days, but if the problem is more serious, they can last for up to six weeks.
While hives typically go away on their own, especially after the root cause is determined, there are some remedies that can help ease their uncomfortable symptoms. Here’s a comprehensive list of the most effective natural remedies to relieve hives…
What Causes Hives?
Hives are a skin irritation that occur when high levels of histamine and other chemical messengers are released into the skin, explains Medical News Today. “The high levels of histamine cause blood vessels in the affected area to open up and start to leak,” writes the source. This fluid in the tissue causes swelling and itchiness.
Now, there are many different reasons that a person’s skin will react in this way. Hives are typically a result of an allergic reaction that can be caused by a number of different triggers such as an allergic reaction to food, medications, insect or animal bite, a plant irritant (i.e. nettles). But WebMD notes the root cause can be more unusual and hard to spot triggers like changes in temperature, sun exposure, a bacterial or viral infection (i.e. mono or UTI), or even too much exercise.