The occurrence of hives is fairly common, and it can occur for many reasons. Here, you can look at the basic causes and course of hives, and then see four of the best natural supplements with sweeping benefits to help mitigate hives.
The Prevalence, Causes, and Course of Hives
Hives is the name for a distinctive skin blemish comprised of red or skin-colored bumps that usually appear and disappear within a day or so. Officially named urticaria, a case of hives can be mild or severe, and hives breakouts vary in their course and intensity.
Symptoms of hives include raised welts or bumps in localized places on the skin, as well as itchiness and swelling. They tend to come and go during an “episode of hives,” and can last days, weeks, or longer. A case of hives can be acute or chronic, with symptoms in acute cases lasting less than six weeks. Acute cases result from an allergic reaction, usually to an ingested food or drink, or to physical contact with certain materials, such as latex. Like some other allergies, hives result from the release of the substance histamine. Various types of allergy medication are standard treatment for hives.
If you believe you might have experienced hives at some point before, your suspicion is reasonable. That is because 20% of people will experience hives at some point in their lives. Most cases are acute, but chronic cases of hives lasting longer than six weeks can have more serious causes than allergies and merit further medical consideration.
4 Natural Remedies for Hives
Aside from medicinal treatment where necessary, natural remedies for hives can serve to help prevent and/or treat them. Supplements are one recommended natural way to prevent hives. Here are four of the most recommended and credible natural supplements to help:
Aloe vera is a very common, natural, plant-derived topical treatment for many skin conditions. Its anti-inflammatory properties could be helpful for cases of hives by providing physical relief. Its effectiveness in this regard is in common with its effectiveness in reducing disturbances from acne, psoriasis, and other common skin ailments.
Witch hazel is another plant-derived topical treatment used for many kinds of minor or moderate skin conditions. The tannins in witch hazel could help relieve the physical irritations caused by hives. Witch hazel is an astringent with a potent effect, so it should be used carefully and in moderation upon the skin in order to bring relief from hives. Witch hazel can be found in a complex topical solution, combined with aloe vera to double its relieving efforts upon areas of skin affected by hives.
Vitamin B12 is a crucial vitamin with many roles in the body. Studies show that those who experience hives are at an increased likelihood of being B12-deficient. For this reason, supplementing with a B12 supplement could potentially reduce the risk that you experience a hives outbreak.
Vitamin D, more specifically vitamin D3, has been shown to have meaningful potential to combat cases of chronic hives. At least one 2-year study has shown that regular supplementation of between 600 IU and 4000 IU of vitamin D3 taken daily, in addition to prescribed allergy medication, can reduce chronic hives symptoms by a significant margin within a few months. Decreases in both severity and frequency of hives blisters during an episode of symptoms were reported, with more effect in those taking a higher amount of vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 could be pivotal in reducing chronic hives symptoms for those who experience them.
If you have ever experienced hives, or think you are at risk of experiencing them based on your allergen history, then you should prepare to reduce and even avoid them. Consider how these four natural vitamins and plant-based supplements can help. It is recommended that you consult your healthcare provider before taking a supplement.