Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria Hives also known as urticaria is an allergic reaction which normally takes place when a sufferer comes into contact with a triggering allergen.
Many of these affecting allergens may be difficult if not impossible to pinpoint due to the many underlying factors which might cause hypersensitivity, thus triggering Urticaria.
Symptoms of the condition range in size from a few millimetres to several inches in diameter. Urticaria hives can be round, or they can form rings or large patches which grow and swell into each other, in many cases the swelling may grow and grow especially to the head area, this is a secondary more serious condition called Angioedema.
Hives can occur on most parts of the body and in many cases the whole body, however the symptoms of urticaria rarely affect the palms of the hand or the soles of the feet.
Hives are classified as acute or chronic depending on the length of the episode, most chronic cases are also considered as idiopathic as the reasons are more often than not hard to determine.
The treatment of Urticaria hives depends on the rigour of the symptoms with the most commonly used treatments being Non-sedating antihistamines, including Allegra, Claritin, Clarinex, and Zyrtec, however after much research it's clear that drugs might not be the best course of action in dealing with urticaria.
11 Home remedy tips for treating Urticaria Hives
1. Calamine lotion-applying to the effected area can offer some short term relief from the constant itching.
2. Milk of magnesia applied to the lesions, provides some relief. As milk of magnesia is an alcalescent solution it helps in removing the irritating itchy sensation
3. Stop the itching get 1/2 a container filled with warm water, add 1/2 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup baking soda. Soaking yourself at least once a day can make a lot of difference.
4. Applying aloe Vera gel or vitamin E oil to the affected area at least twice a day may offer some relief.
5. Drink nettle tea which is made by mixing 2 tsp of powdered nettles in to hot water. add natural honey or freshly squeezed lemon to taste if required
6. Cayenne pepper preferably natural or the capsule variety may help reduce the swelling and so speeding up the healing process.
7. Green tea is very good for health and contains natural antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory.
8. To relieve pain and swelling, apply a cool gel pack or ice pack to the affected area.
9. Make a paste with 2 cups of oatmeal and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch. Add a little liquid to make it into a paste. Apply to affected area for 15-30 minutes. It dries the hives up within a couple of hours.
10. Excessive amounts of vitamin C, is well known to aid many skin conditions which includes urticaria, try the powdered variety and stick to Vitamin C d2
11. Peanut oil rubbed into the legions is thought to help many sufferers
These are all natural ways of dealing with the symptoms of urticaria, but by far the best way of dealing with any chronic condition is to address the problem at its roots so you never have to put up with further attacks.
By Mark R John
