Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Farah Khan, MD. Dr. Farah Khan is a Board Certified Allergist and Immunologist who graduated from fellowship in 2020. She specializes in asthma, food allergy, skin conditions, and rhinosinusitis care, and treats both adult and pediatric patients. Dr. Khan holds an MD from Ross University School of Medicine. She completed her Pediatric Residency training at INOVA Children's Hospital and her fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Khan is an active member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology as well as the Clinical Immunology Society.
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Hives, or urticaria, are a type of skin rash that is the result of an allergic reaction. They are raised, reddish, itchy bumps on the skin that, when pressed, turn white.[1] Hives are an allergic reaction to an allergen in the environment. Hives can occur anywhere on the body, including the face, and treatment is the same, regardless of where they appear.
Steps
Use a cool compress. Cool water can help reduce the swelling and irritation associated with hives. Take a cool shower or press a cool, wet cloth against the hives.[2]- You can use a cool compress as long as you need to. Re-soak the cloth every 5-10 minutes to keep the area cool and soothed.
- Avoid using very cold water because in some people, this can make the hives worse.[3]
Soothe hives with oatmeal. An oatmeal bath is commonly used to soothe itching from hives, chickenpox, sunburn, and more. It is a folk remedy for itching and irritation.[4] Oatmeal baths are usually best for hives that are spread over a large area of the body, but you can make a smaller preparation in a large bowl and soak your face by holding your breath and immersing your face in the water, or soaking a towel in the water and laying it over your face. You can also try making an oatmeal face mask. Use uncooked colloidal oatmeal, which is specifically made for use in the bath.- Place a cup of rolled oats in a clean knee-high nylon stocking. Tie this over the water tap so that the water runs through the oats as it enters the bathtub or a bowl to make an oatmeal bath. Putting the oatmeal in a nylon stocking will make for easier cleanup and won't clog your drains. If you are using colloidal oatmeal, you can just sprinkle it in the water. Use cool water, as warm, hot, or cold water can make hives worse. Soak a towel in the oatmeal bath and apply it to your face. Repeat as often as needed.
- To make an oatmeal mask, mix 1 tablespoon of colloidal oatmeal with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of yogurt. Apply the mixture to your skin and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the mask off using cool water.
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Apply calamine lotion over the hives. You can rub a soothing lotion onto the hives on your face to get some relief. Pick up some calamine lotion from the drug store and dab it on the hives to relieve the itching.[5]- You can also reduce itching exacerbated by dry skin by using a fragrance-free moisturizer.[6]
Treat the hives with medicine. For hives that are mild to moderate, antihistamines are often used. Antihistamines help block histamine, which leads to hives.[7] These may be over-the-counter (OTC) medications or prescription antihistamines including:[8]- Non-sedating antihistamines like Loratadine (Claritin, Claritin D, Alavert), Fexofenadine (Allegra, Allegra D), and Cetirizine (Zyrtec, Zyrtec-D)[9]
- Sedating antihistamines like Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
- Prescription corticosteroids, like Prednisone and Methylprednisolone
- Leukotriene inhibitors, like Montelukast (Singulair)
- Topical immune-modulating substances, like Tacrolimus (Protopic)
Use an EpiPen for severe reactions. In rare cases, hives can cause swelling in the throat and can cause an emergency situation that requires epinephrine. An EpiPen can be used for those who are severely allergic and require epinephrine to avoid anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that may occur with or without the appearance of hives.[10] The symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction include:[11]- Skin rashes which may include hives. There may be itching and red skin.
- Swelling in the throat
- Wheezing or other difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness
- Coughing
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Dizziness or fainting
See your doctor. If you are unsure what causes your hives, or home remedies aren’t relieving them, make an appointment to see your doctor. You may need to see an allergist to figure out the specific allergens that trigger your hives. Your doctor may be able to prescribe you stronger medication to treat your hives.[12]- Angioedema is a deeper form of swelling in the skin that often occurs around the face. It is a deeper swelling than hives and occurs anywhere on the body, but when it appears on the face, it commonly occurs around the eyes and lips. Angioedema can be very dangerous because it can also cause swelling around the throat. If you experience any form of hives around the face and also feel any tightening of your throat, any changes in your voice, or any difficulty swallowing or breathing, this could be a medical emergency. You should call for help immediately.[13]
Recognize the symptoms of hives. The symptoms and appearance of hives can be very short-lived, lasting only minutes. However, it can also be long-term, with the symptoms and appearance of hives lasting for months and years. Hives are usually round, though hives can appear to merge into what looks like a large, irregularly shaped welt.[14]- Hives can be very itchy. They may also be associated with a sensation of burning.
- Hives can cause your skin to get very red and hot.
Know what causes hives. Anyone can get hives. During an allergic reaction, certain skin cells that contain histamine and other chemical messengers are stimulated to release the histamine and other cytokines, which causes swelling and itching.[15] Hives are most commonly caused by:[16]- Food
- Medicine
- Insect bites or stings
- Animals
- Pollen
- Allergy shots
- Infections
- Illnesses
- Sun exposure
- Exercise
- Stress
- Contact with chemicals
- Pressure on the skin
- Scratching
Avoid known triggers.[17] You can try to prevent hives by ensuring that you stay away from the source of the allergic response, if you know what it is.[18] This may be something like poison ivy or oak, an insect bite, wool clothing, or a cat or dog. Avoid those things as much as possible.- For example, if you react to pollens, avoid being outside in the morning and in the evening when pollen levels are at their highest. If you are allergic to the sun, wear a hat or protective coverings.
- Avoid common irritants such as insect sprays, tobacco and wood smoke, and fresh tar or paint as much as possible.
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References
- ↑ http://acaai.org/allergies/types/skin-allergies/hives-urticaria
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hives-self-care
- ↑ https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/skin-allergy/hives/
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17373175
- ↑ https://patient.info/skin-conditions/hives-inducible-urticaria
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hives-chronic-relief
- ↑ Farah Khan, MD. Board Certified Allergist & Immunologist. Expert Interview. 5 January 2022.
- ↑ https://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2011;volume=56;issue=6;spage=622;epage=628;aulast=Sachdeva
- ↑ https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/skin-allergy/hives/
- ↑ https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/skin-allergy/hives/
- ↑ https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-treatments/allergies/anaphylaxis
- ↑ https://www.aafa.org/hives/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/angioedema/
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hives-symptoms
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4701915/
- ↑ Farah Khan, MD. Board Certified Allergist & Immunologist. Expert Interview. 5 January 2022.
- ↑ Farah Khan, MD. Board Certified Allergist & Immunologist. Expert Interview. 5 January 2022.
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/urticaria--hives
About This Article
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
To get rid of hives on your face, start by using a cool compress to reduce the swelling and irritation. If the hives are still bothersome, prepare an oatmeal mask by mixing 1 tablespoon of colloidal oatmeal with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of yogurt. Spread the mixture on your face and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with cool water. If you don’t have colloidal oatmeal, try making a paste by mixing water with 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar or baking soda. Put the paste on the hives for 5-10 minutes before washing it off with cool water. For more tips on how to treat facial hives from our Registered Nurse reviewer, including how to treat hives medically, keep reading!
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