Treating Hives

Links to everything mentioned/we used:

HOCL spray (code: ALEXKELLY)

*note: literally all bottles (baby, kids, adults) are the exact same ingredients - just different labels. Literally doesn’t matter which one you get. 

Calendula cream

BKN’s Sinus Support (ALEXKELLY works on website, but they are also on Amazon)

Apis mellifica

Understanding Hives

Hives are caused by the body releasing histamine into the skin, typically triggered by things like viral infections, allergies, insect bites, medications, or even heat.

Conventional treatment is usually an oral antihistamine (which works by blocking the effects of histamine to reduce itching), BUT it doesn't treat the underlying trigger that's causing the histamine release. I prefer identifying and removing the trigger when possible and supporting the body's natural healing, especially since many cases resolve on their own within a few days.

Plus, after 10+ years of working in functional dentistry, I realllllly don’t love the dry mouth antihistamines often cause. 

Identifying Hives

One of the key ways to identify hives is how they behave. Typically hives move around and change fairly quickly. A post on the stomach may disappear within an hour and reappear on the left. Most individual hives typically last less than 24 hours in a single location. 

Hives are also typically very itchy. Although not always, and the itchiness can vary.

Common Causes of Hives

• Certain foods, such as nuts, eggs, shellfish, dairy, strawberries, or food dyes

• Medications

• Bug bites or stings

• Changes in temperature, including heat, cold, or sweating

• Pressure, rubbing, or irritation against the skin

• Environmental allergens like pollen or pet dander

• Bacterial infections

Sometimes, though, there’s no obvious trigger at all. This is especially common when hives show up during or around a viral illness.

If hives are accompanied by trouble breathing, wheezing, ongoing coughing, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, vomiting, faintness, or confusion seek medical attention. These can be signs of anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency.

Supporting Hives

My daughter recently had a crazy bout of hives. Here's what I did:

1. Hypochlorus acid: I first noticed them in the bathroom at Target, so I was limited on what I could immediately do. Thankfully, I always carry hypochlorus acid in my bag, so I sprayed her all over. Thankfully, I always carry hypochlorus acid in my bag, so I sprayed her all over. 

HOCL is a natural molecule your white blood cells make to fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It won’t stop histamine release, but it can help soothe irritation reduce inflammation.

2. Calendula cream: When we got home I lathered her in calendula. Calendula cream contains natural anti-inflammatory and calming properties from the marigold plant. It’s one of my go to healing topicals for any sort of localized swelling, itching, cuts, scrapes, etc. 

Throughout the rest of the day I did this every hour or two: sprayed HOCL, let dry, then lathered in calendula. 

3. As for the overactive release of histamine, I gave her ½ capsule of BKN’s sinus support for the next few days. It contains bromelain, quercetin, and nettle leaf. In lab studies, quercetin appears to help stabilize mast cells, making them less likely to release histamine. Nettle leaf also has some mast cell-stabilizing effects. And bromelain is primarily known for supporting a healthy inflammatory response. *not medical advice

4. I also gave Apis mellifica, but not until the next day. I didn’t have this on hand day of, so I overnighted it. The next morning the worst of the hives from the day before were SO much better, but a few new spots (not nearly as bad) popped up. So I added this to the rotation. We honestly had a very busy day and were in and out of the house, so I just did a dose (1 pellet) every few hours. I wasn’t too concerned, since she didn’t seem bothered. Probably would have been fine without it, tbh.

Additional Supports

• Loose, breathable clothing

• Avoid inflammatory foods 

• Cool compress 

• Lukewarm baths (not hot!)

• Cool compress 

• Lukewarm baths (not hot!)

• Geranium, rose, and lavender diluted with coconut oil can be great for rashes 

• Bentonite clay 

• Cocoa butter

• Aloe vera 

• Colloidal oatmeal baths

• Chamomile cream/compress

• Shea butter

• Zinc oxide