Hives are the way your skin can react to allergies, irritations, stress, or emotional distress. Cells start to release histamines, and they make the blood vessels seep out fluid into the deep layers of your skin. The welts that occur are often extremely itchy, and they may fade away in minutes, hours, or usually within a couple of days. However while these raised skin eruptions are active, you may not want to be seen all swollen and scratching around other people. There are some hive treatments you can do that may alleviate the itch and puffiness. Like many remedies, not all of them will work for everyone, so you will need to experiment.
 
Over the counter antihistamines are the best medications you can get without a prescription. Antihistamines like Benadryl and Chlor-Trimeton are commonly used and are regularly found in cold and hay fever medicines. Cold compresses and cool baths are the best topical remedies for this skin irritation you can find. The cold minimizes the blood vessels and keeps them from opening, inflaming, and allowing too many antihistamines to be released into your skin. But it’s not a permanent relief, and if you get this rash from cold weather or water, then you’re out of luck; and using hot water only makes the itching more intense.
 
Calamine lotion is useful in lessening the itch. This astringent is well-known for its effects on rashes caused by poison ivy, but it may also assist you with temporarily soothing the itch of your rash as well. Since astringents diminish discharge, they may be able to keep the blood vessels from discharging fluids and histamines. Other astringents that may be of assistance with these skin eruptions include witch hazel (especially cold) and zinc oxide. Milk of magnesia and hydrocortisone cream are other medications that can help to relieve itch. For some people, drying agents are not helpful so this will be a bit of trial and error.
 
There are numerous causes for hives. You have to be able to discern and find out what is causing them to occur. Some common sources are medications, the cold, foods, plants allergies, insect bites, and more. Once you are able to find out the cause of your outbreaks, try to avoid additional exposure. It’s a good rule of thumb that if you know you’re going to get these outbreaks, take some antihistamine prior, and it may stop them from coming.