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Living with chronic hives, also called chronic urticaria, can be more than just physically uncomfortable. The constant itching, irritation, and flare-ups can also affect your quality of life and emotional well-being. Practicing good self-care is essential when living with this condition.
Below are 10 tips to help prevent flare-ups and soothe itchy skin. Review this list with your healthcare provider and discuss which strategies might work best for you. Working together, you can find the right combination of at-home remedies and prescription medications to keep your skin calm and your symptoms under control. They can also connect you with support groups or mental health resources to help you with the emotional challenges of life with chronic hives.
Remember to always check with a healthcare professional before trying any new at-home remedies. Even seemingly safe over-the-counter (OTC) products or supplements can cause side effects or interfere with medications.
While you may not be able to completely prevent flare-ups from chronic hives, making certain lifestyle changes can help reduce their frequency and intensity.
Stress is a common trigger for chronic hives, and living with this condition can take a toll on your mental health. That’s one reason self-care is so important. Strategies like talk therapy, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises can help reduce stress and support emotional well-being.
Consider scheduling an appointment with a therapist, counselor, or other mental health provider to learn techniques for managing stress and keeping your symptoms under control. It’s OK to ask for help. You don’t have to manage this alone.
A good night’s sleep gives your body a chance to reset and repair. Not getting enough sleep can affect your immune system and increase stress, both of which can contribute to flare-ups. Unfortunately, the itching and discomfort of chronic hives can make it harder to fall or stay asleep, creating a frustrating cycle.
Try to maintain consistent sleep habits as much as possible, and keep cell phones and other screens out of your bedroom. If you’re having trouble sleeping, ask your healthcare provider for guidance and strategies.
While the cause of chronic hives isn’t always clear, and triggers can vary from person to person, avoiding common triggers may help reduce the frequency of flare-ups or make them less severe.
Common triggers include:
Keeping a symptom journal can be a helpful way to spot patterns. Try noting when your symptoms appear, what you were doing before they started, and how severe the reaction was. Over time, you may recognize trends that help you identify and avoid your personal triggers.
Tight clothing can rub against your skin, creating pressure or friction that may trigger hives. Wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing reduces skin friction and lets your skin breathe. Dermatologists often recommend wearing cotton clothing or other soft, natural fabrics. Materials like wool, nylon, and polyester can feel scratchy or trap heat and moisture against the skin, which can trigger or worsen a flare.
Chronic urticaria is relatively uncommon, so you may not know anyone else who truly understands what it’s like to live with itchiness and inflamed skin. Joining a support group can make a big difference. Connecting with others who share similar experiences can help you feel less alone and may even reduce stress and anxiety.
Support groups are also a great place to exchange practical tips for preventing or managing symptoms. Just remember to check with your doctor before trying any new remedies or treatments you read about online or hear from other support group members, since not all advice will be right for everyone.
Chronic hives can be unpredictable. Even with good sleep, stress management, and medical care, flare-ups can still happen. While prescription medications can be part of treatment, simple self-care strategies can help you feel more comfortable and support your skin as it heals.
It’s easier said than done, but try not to scratch itchy skin during a flare-up. Scratching can spread hives, increase inflammation, and delay healing. If the urge to scratch feels overwhelming, try distraction techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or hobbies that keep your hands busy.
Some dermatologists recommend keeping fingernails short to prevent unintentional scratching. This also helps reduce the risk of infection, as dirt and bacteria can collect under fingernails.
Harsh or scented products can irritate sensitive skin and trigger more itchy welts or hives. When choosing soaps, cleansers, lotions, or other personal skin care products, it’s best to stick with gentle, fragrance-free options. Be aware that “unscented” and “fragrance-free” don’t mean the same thing. Unscented products can still contain fragrance, but it’s been covered up. Check labels carefully, and choose products that are fragrance-free or made for sensitive skin.
Before using a new soap, lotion, or skin care product all over, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying a small amount to a small patch of healthy skin — like your inner forearm — twice daily for seven to 10 days. If you don’t notice any discoloration, itching, swelling, or hives, it’s usually safe to use more widely. If you react, stop using the product and talk to your healthcare provider.
Cool compresses can help ease the discomfort of chronic hives by reducing pain, swelling, and itching. The cool temperature creates a numbing effect that soothes irritated skin.
To make a cool compress:
Repeat this process as often as needed for relief.
Colloidal oatmeal baths help relieve irritation from skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. They can help with chronic hives, too. Colloidal oatmeal is oatmeal that’s been finely ground so it dissolves completely in water, creating a milky solution. The oatmeal has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe skin and reduce irritation.
Since hot water can trigger hives, use lukewarm water for your bath. You can purchase products with colloidal oatmeal online or at many drug stores, or you can make it at home.
Over-the-counter anti-itch products like calamine lotion help relieve itching and irritation on the surface of the skin. Your doctor may also recommend aloe vera gel or lotion, which contains anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce irritation.
When using OTC creams or lotions, always follow the instructions on the label. Check with your healthcare provider if you have other medical conditions or allergies.
While these tips and other at-home remedies can offer short-term relief from itchy welts and skin irritation, managing chronic hives usually requires a personalized treatment plan developed with the help of an allergist, dermatologist, or other healthcare provider.
Finding the right approach for managing this chronic skin condition may start with identifying the underlying cause. If specific environmental or physical factors trigger your symptoms, you may have chronic inducible urticaria. If no clear cause is found, you may have chronic spontaneous urticaria, also known as chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Depending on the type and severity of your hives, your doctor may recommend antihistamines as a first-line treatment to block histamine effects and reduce itching and swelling. Other options may include corticosteroids, biologics, and other targeted medications, which can help calm an overactive immune system.
If you’re not yet working with a specialist, ask your primary care provider for a referral. You can also use the American Academy of Dermatology’s free search tool to find a board-certified dermatologist in your area.
Living with chronic urticaria can be challenging at times, but treatment options are available. By combining good self-care habits with expert medical guidance, you can take steps toward fewer flare-ups, greater comfort, and a better quality of life.
On MyChronicHivesTeam, people share their experiences with hives, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
What are your self-care tips for chronic urticaria? Let others know in the comments below.
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