I have hives!!! Help!!!
By mentalward
@mentalward (14690)
United States
June 27, 2008 8:37pm CST
I can't believe this! I've never had hives in my life before! I'm about to turn into a little baby whining and complaining! I was outside gardening today and it was very hot and humid. I was sweating a lot! Whenever my clothes fit tight, like the waistband of my shorts and around my bra) I now have itchy splotches!
Does anyone have a fast, sure-fire way to get rid of the itchy things?
3 people like this
13 responses
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
28 Jun 08
All of these ideas that the mylotters gave you are good ideas. The only thing that I can think of is Benadryl, my husband gets hives everytime he goes out to cut the grass, and if he sweats they get real bad, so I will give him some Benadryl to take, it usually helps make them go away, it may take a little bit but it works for him, and he's real allergic.
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@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I'm glad it all worked for you, next time I'll make him hop in the tub with that stuff, I think it will also help heal poison ivy, and poison oak and stuff like, anything with oatmeal in it works.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I'm so sorry for your husband! I know that the itching was driving me nuts last night! I took Benadryl, then soaked in a tub with baking soda and Aveeno, then put Gold Bond anti-itch cream on them. Within a minute or two after that, the itching was totally gone! The swelling had subsided quite a bit, too.
Today, you can hardly tell I had them at all.
Thank you for your suggestion. Have your husband do what I did on top of the Benadryl. It really worked!
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@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
28 Jun 08
A little bit of Benedryl usually does the trick. If you don't have any Aveeno in the house, then try just some baking soda in a cool bath with some cornstarch. The mixture in the bath water will calm the skin. You can also try some vitamin E oil or Aloe Vera gel. Any of these things should calm the symptoms of the hives in a short period of time.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Thank you wachit. I used Benadryl. It really helped! I also soaked in a tub with Aveeno and baking soda. I hadn't thought of the cornstarch! I'm going to use that along with the other things if this ever happens again. I also used Gold Bond anti-itch cream. Within minutes, the itching was completely gone! Ahh, relief!!!
Thanks for your suggestions!
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@deebomb (15304)
• United States
28 Jun 08
Where do you live. What you have sounds more like chiggers to me. I used to get them when I lived in Kansas. They are little no see'em bugs and they itch like the devil. I used to put ice on them to stop the itch. Others put fingernail polish on them. Then i would recommend you get some Aveeno anti-itch cream. That was recommend to us by a pharmacist. If you can keep any tight clothing off them that will help too. If it is the hives you can also take a baking soda or oatmeal bath. The Aveeno will help with those too. It's the best that I have ever found
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@mentalward (14690)
• United States
28 Jun 08
That's what I had, too. I took some Benadryl and soaked in the tub with baking soda and Aveeno last night. Then I put Gold Bond cream on it. Within a minute or two, the itching was gone and the swelling was going down. Today, you can hardly tell that I had them at all!
Guess that would be hives. I imagine chiggers would leave a mark of some kind that takes a little time to heal.
2 people like this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
28 Jun 08
Thank you for your information on stopping the itch!
I just looked up chigger bites to see if that is what I have and they don't look like it at all. There is no evidence of a bite mark anywhere. Just smooth, raised spots of differing sizes and shapes (mostly roundish, though), and not very red... they're just a tad darker than my healthy skin.
I'm going to take a bath with both baking soda AND Aveeno! Give it the ol' "double-whammy". I also have Gold Bond Anti-itch cream.
I do appreciate you mentioning chiggers, though. I learned something tonight! I will definitely be on the lookout for them, but I don't know if they're even in our area. I live in the mountains of northern Virginia.
Thank you so much!
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@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
28 Jun 08
If you are still itching..you may want to try some Benadryl. The spray is a good place to start if not try the oral benadryl.
May I also suggest going to the QVC site and look at the breezies. They have the fabric that wick sweat away and are much more comfortable in the summer.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I'm definitely going to check that out as soon as I finish responding to everyone who responded to this discussion!
I had forgotten about the spray! I'm going to buy some to keep on hand. Since this happened once, it will probably happen again and I want to be prepared!
Thanks so much for your help.
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@mentalward (14690)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I checked out the Breezies. They look wonderful! I was reading the comments from women who've already bought some and there wasn't a negative word from any of them. I'm impressed. I'll definitely order some of these today!
Thank you SO much for this info!
1 person likes this
@green4success (80)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I have had hives a few times in my life too, mentalward, and I have found that benadryl has always helped me. You can use the generic brand as it is cheaper because it works just as well. I also use aloe vera a lot and sometimes that will help with the itching on the skin. I hope this helps.
Donna
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Thanks, Donna! I'm going to always have a supply of Benadryl (the store brand) on hand! I have an aloe vera plant, but always forget to use it!
I'll try to keep it in mind the next time I have any kind of skin irritation!
Thank you for your suggestions!
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1 person likes this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I can't believe you have never had hives before. I've had them a few times and one of my sons gets them sometimes when he has a new food we've tried out or gets around something he's allergic to. The best thing is to first take the benadryl - liquid is the best because it gets in your system quicker. Then follow that up with a soak in an oatmeal bath like Aveeno. Then finally use some anti-itch cream, there are many. I have Eucerin anti-itch cream. Just don't skimp and get the cheap cream, get a good quality one that maybe has oatmeal or aloe in it. With this combination your hives should subside greatly.
Hope it helps and you feel better!
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@schulzie (4061)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I'm glad you are feeling better. Yes, my poor boy - one day we were eating pasta with tomato sauce and he started getting the hives all over his face, neck, arms, chest, etc. Poor thing. I immediately got out the Benadryl - I always have it on hand just in case. His hives were bad, really splotchy. Anyways I did the same thing for him as I suggested for you and he was over it in about 10 hours. You couldn't see them after that amount of time. Thanks for the green pencil!
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@mentalward (14690)
• United States
28 Jun 08
Wow! It's like you read my mind!
The first thing I did was take Benadryl. (I'll invest in the liquid form as soon as I get to the store!!!) Then, I soaked in the tub with Aveeno and baking soda. After that, I put Gold Bond cream on it.
It worked! You sure do know what you're talking about! I thank you so much for validating what worked!
It did help, I feel much better, and thank you so much for your suggestions!
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@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
28 Jun 08
i also experience the same thing like you... i always have itchy splotches around my waistband and bra as well... sometimes, they become so itchy until i can't stop scratching and it becomes really red... well, what i do is to wear a bra and pants that are not so tight so that they won't leave a mark on my body... and i have to put a talcum powder to get rid of the itchiness after that... take care and have a nice day...
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
28 Jun 08
Thank you for your suggestion! I was thinking of buying pure cotton underwear, and make sure it is not tight. I will use the talcum powder before I go outside again. Maybe that will help to prevent a new bout of hives.
The post after yours suggested that I take Benadryl before going out into the heat to prevent more hives. I'm going to do that as well.
Gold Bond anti-itch cream works like magic on hives as well. I used that last night and stopped itching completely within a minute or two.
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@golfproo (1839)
• Canada
28 Jun 08
Hi There,
My daughter gets hives all the time. She gets big red splotchy patches and they eventually turn into welts. She gets them when she is out on the grass for an extended period of time. I give her benadryl. It will get rid of them within an hour. If you take a pill before you start the activity it usually prevents them from coming in the first place. Hope that helps.
cheers,
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
28 Jun 08
Thank you! I have successfully gotten rid of the hives from yesterday, but I was wondering about how to prevent them in the future. You've answered that question for me. Take Benadryl BEFORE I go outside in the heat to do my gardening!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I'm going to go pop one of those bad boys in my mouth right now! ![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbup.gif)
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@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
28 Jun 08
I too, have hives! Around 390 more or less. A Black bear got in night before last and ate one so now I only have 389. Each hive is filled with Honeybees and honey, and that's why the bear was so interested. I go out every sunny day to care for the Honeybees, and I have to wear coveralls hat, veil, and gloves, to keep from getting stung. It can be very hot when I'm working so I'm wet with sweat when I get back home each night. I love my work because its one of the Sweetest Jobs there are.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I wish those were the kind of hives I had! I had the itchy kind! But thanks to the good people here at myLot, I was able to get rid of them.
It's cool about raising bees, though! You have a non-stop supply of honey! Yummmm!!!
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@onetrackmind (104)
• United States
28 Jun 08
Treatment
Treatment may not be needed if the hives are mild. They may disappear on their own. To reduce itching and swelling:
Avoid hot baths or showers.
Avoid irritating the area with tight-fitting clothing.
Apply calamine lotion.
Take antihistamines.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Thanks, onetrack! I used several of the ideas posted here and the next day they were completely gone! Well, except for a spot or two, but they didn't itch.
I took a Benadryl, then got in a tempid bath with Aveeno and baking soda. After that, I applied Gold Bond anti-itch cream. Within minutes the itching was gone completely.
I'm gonna take Benadryl BEFORE going outside to work in the garden if it's that hot and humid again. I never want to go through that again! ![](/Content/images/emotes/doh.gif)
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@deborah_0515 (89)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I am sorry to hear this. Are you sure that it is hives and not chiggers? Either way try taking a warm bath and putting some baking soda into the bath. It will help ease the itch, and if it is chiggers kill them. I hope this works for you....it has worked many times for me in the past. Baking Soda is not harmful in any way to you..
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
28 Jun 08
Chiggers? I don't see anything crawling! Ewwwwww! Just the thought is making me get more bumps... the "goose" variety. LOL
What are chiggers and what do they do? I'm almost positive these are hives... the raised splotches are different sizes and shapes, and everywhere my clothing was tight against my skin.
1 person likes this
@deborah_0515 (89)
• United States
28 Jun 08
Chiggers are a small insect that is almost always invisible to the eye. They live in grass or hay, and they itch like crazy. Sometimes you can see them and they are very tiny and brown. They are not harmful, just bothersome! Try the baking soda...it should ease the itch and soothe your skin!!
@risris24 (712)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I feel fo ryou since I have suffered from hives and itchy splotches since I was very young. Mainly due to be allergic to strawberries but loving them so much that I have to have them, but also when I get nervous or anxious about something I start getting itchy and scrathing and making them even worse. Believe it or not the only think that I have found that clear sthis up and makes the itching stop is Benadryl. I know some say that it makes them sleepy, but I am fortunat eenough to not be affected in that way, (thankfully)... I also try, (if I do not want to take Benadryl,) putting a cold washcloth on the area and it soothes the skin and itchy area.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I used Benadryl and it worked very well. I also soaked in a tub with tempid water, baking soda and Aveeno. Then, I applied Gold Bond anti-itch cream. Within minutes of that, the itching was completely gone and the swelling was already coming down. I think the combination of everything was what worked so fast.
Thanks so much for your suggestions.
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@luvinu617 (185)
• United States
28 Jun 08
Well one thing that will help is Aloe. You can also try an Aveeno Oatmeal Bath. Both of these things you should be able to find in a grocery store. You can also call and ask your local pharmacy. I don't know where you live but if it's late call a 24hr. pharmacy and ask them what you can do. Good luck and sorry to hear that.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I have an aloe plant AND Aveeno Oatmeal Bath!!! Awesome! I didn't even think to try either of these remedies. Thank you so much! I'm going to soak in the tub right now and then smear aloe on them.
Thanks again!
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