Do you have allergies? Sometimes, an allergic reaction produces hives — unsightly red welts or bumps on patches of your skin. If you’ve ever gotten hives from environmental pollen, a cat or dog, or even a food, you might also develop hives from too much stress.
Our board-certified allergists with Advanced Allergy & Asthma treat all types of allergies. Allergy treatment enables you to regain your quality of life. Here’s how to treat stress-induced hives.
It’s important to treat the physical symptoms of your stress, which are the hives, so the condition doesn’t progress to anaphylaxis.
First, take an antihistamine to help calm your inflammation. The antihistamine blocks receptor cells, helping your hives subside. Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin.
Use cool compresses or cloth-wrapped ice packs on your skin. They help constrict your blood vessels and calm swelling. Don’t take a hot bath or shower. Heat makes your inflamed skin feel worse.
You can purchase colloidal oatmeal at your local pharmacy. Pour it in a lukewarm bath and apply it to your skin. This type of oatmeal calms irritated skin and helps prevent bleeding from constant scratching. Baking soda in the water can also help calm your skin if you don’t have colloidal oatmeal.
Loose, flowing tops and pants help cool your skin and protect against irritation from tight clothes.
If your hives do not improve or if they continue to recur, call our office for an appointment. If you experience any difficulty breathing, use your Epi-Pen or call 911.
You can treat the physical symptoms of hives, but how do you avoid getting them in the first place? Practicing stress-relieving techniques can help.
When you have hives, avoid alcohol and endless cups of coffee. Both are dehydrating, which can cause your skin to itch more.
Perhaps you’re undergoing a divorce or are in a job you don’t like. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, separate yourself from your environment. Can you go outside and take a brief walk? Go running? For the long-term, make a concrete plan to change your environment.
If you’ve never used deep breathing, try it. This breathing exercise can “lower the temperature” by calming your heart rate. It also increases the flow of oxygen to your brain, helping to quell the “fight or flight” response.
Try practicing mindfulness or meditation exercises daily to help combat stress. Make a point to build these habits into your day.
Perhaps you’ve become a couch potato in response to your stressful situation. Starting an exercise regimen can help relieve stress. Exercise helps flood your brain with endorphins, the “feel-good” hormone.
Call Advanced Allergy & Asthma or request an appointment through our online portal today for relief from hives.
