A wide variety of *allergic substances is responsible for hives. They can appear locally as a reaction to an external cause, such as an *insect bite or sting, as well as to temperature extremes, emotional pressure and excessive scratching. More frequently, hives occur as a response to the ingestion of certain foods, especially shellfish and food additives, or medications, particularly penicillin and aspirin. Preservatives, flavorings, colorings and stabilizers in foods are often the source of these rashes, as are milk, strawberries, eggs and nuts, to name just a few. Even intense exercise, *stress or getting too hot can induce urticaria. It is important to look at overall health, especially digestion. Poor digestion from inadequate amounts of stomach acid, and excessive permeability of the intestinal walls are possible problems for people with allergies. Coffee, cigarettes and alcohol can aggravate hives.

If hives persist, a tooth *abscess or other hidden bacterial infection could be the cause.

Nutrition

Because hives are often caused by the release of histamine from mast cells as a result of eating certain foods, changes in diet can help. Likely allergens are milk, fish, meat, eggs, beans, nuts and peanuts. Eliminate these from the diet, then reintroduce them one by one. Also avoid food additives, as they increase the number of mast cells in the skin and are a likely cause for the chronic outbreak of hives in children. Avoid cured meats, alcoholic beverages, processed cheese, chocolate, citrus fruits and shellfish. These foods contain vasoactive amines which increase intestine permeability, allowing irritants into the body.
All kinds of skin conditions benefit from essential fatty acids in the diet. Flax seed oil is an excellent source of the omega-3 essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid and also contains the other essential fatty acid, omega-6 linoleic acid. To heal the skin, add one tablespoon of freshly ground flax seeds to cereals daily or add cold-pressed, unrefined flax seed oil to salad dressings or on baked potatoes.

Nutritional Supplements

Although overall health should be improved by supporting the immune system and avoiding the source of the problem wherever possible, internal supplements can help tame allergic symptoms and prevent recurrences. Vitamin C and B12 are the main vitamins for treating hives. Beta-carotene is particularly effective for hives caused by the sun. Vitamin B12 is best taken by dissolving it under the tongue. The essential fatty acids are required in long-term treatment, as they build prostaglandins which are needed throughout the body for overall immune system function, as well as for healthy skin. Evening primrose oil is an excellent source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid.

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg three to five times daily

Vitamin B_12, sublingual tablet, 100 mcg

Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily

Quercetin, 500 mg three times daily

Pycnogenol, 300 mg

Curcumin, 500 mg three times daily  [derived from tumeric]

Herbal remedies can help reduce the symptoms of hives without producing side-effects.

Juice of stinging nettle leaves will in most cases cure the rash in a short while. Take 1 tbsp. three times daily.

Some biological preparations, such as arnica and camomile, could cause hives in sensitive people.

Horsetail, valerian, birch leaves, St. John’s wort, lemon balm and peppermint reduce inflammation and pain. Combine as a tea and take 3 cups daily.

In the case of an emergency, where hives cause difficulty breathing, use Apis in the 30c potency, repeating every fifteen minutes until help arrives. In all other cases, choose one of the below in the 6c strength, repeating every ten minutes for three doses, then three times daily for up to one week if necessary. One dose is 2 tablets dissolved under the tongue.

Apis, made from the sting of a bee, is particularly useful for hives where swelling and heat are pronounced. The rash is hot and sensitive to heat, very itchy and may burn or sting. The face, eyelids and lips can be swollen.

Urtica urens is another common remedy to consider, especially if the hives are triggered by eating shellfish, overheating or engaging in intense exercise. The skin is very sensitive and burns or stings. The *itching is terrible.

Rhus toxicodendron should be used if small patches of *blisters form. The itching typically causes great restlessness. Heat or hot water helps. Cold, damp weather, or getting wet can aggravate or bring on the rash.

4 tablets four times daily by dissolving them under the tongue.

Nat mur is the principle tissue salt for hives when clear, watery blisters form. It often helps hives that develop from exposure to heat or an insect bite.

If hives make the skin dry and scaly, use Kali sulph.

If there are signs of *fever and the skin is hot and red, but dry, use Ferr phos.

Many *skin problems are related to liver malfunction.

An extended, internal herbal therapy will achieve better results than topical application of remedies, which bring only quick, temporary relief.

Regular bowel movements are part of the internal cleansing program.

Wash skin several times a day with vinegar water: 1/4 quart apple cider vinegar to 2 quarts water.

Cool clay packs or fresh-crushed cabbage leaf compresses greatly help to relieve the burning and itching.

Place a slice of raw onion on the affected part.

Apply a cream made by mixing quark, yogurt and honey. Let soak in cream for one hour.

Rub skin with a vitamin E salve.

Flax Oil (Flora)

Flax-O-Mega 1000 mg (Flora)

Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend (Flora)

Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend Capsules (Flora)

Multi Element Buffered C (Klaire Laboratories)

Flax Seed Oil 1000 mg (Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil Liquid (Natural Factors)

Ultra Prim Evening Primrose Oil (Natural Factors)

Vitamin A (Natural Factors)

Wild Salmon Oil (Natural Factors)

Horsetail Leaves (Flora)

St. John’s Wort Extract (Natural Factors)

Valerian Root Extract (Natural Factors)

Curcumin-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Herbal Calm (Nature’s Herbs)

Hops-Valerian Combination (Nature’s Herbs)

Nettle Leaf (Nature’s Herbs)

Silica-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

St. John’s-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Valerian-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Apis (Nelsons Homeopathy)

Rhus Tox (Nelsons Homeopathy)

Chamomile Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Lavender Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

 

From   Alive.com