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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you're experiencing mild hives or angioedema, these tips may help relieve your symptoms:
- Try to identify and avoid substances that irritate your skin or that cause an allergic reaction. These can include foods, medications, pollen, pet dander, latex and insect stings.
- Use over-the-counter antihistamine. A nonprescription oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others) or loratadine (Claritin) may help relieve itching.
- Apply cool, wet compresses. Covering the affected area with bandages and dressings can help soothe the skin and prevent scratching.
- Take a comfortably cool bath. To relieve itching, sprinkle the bath water with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal — a finely ground oatmeal that is made for the bathtub (Aveeno, others).
- Wear loose, smooth-textured cotton clothing. Avoid clothing that's rough, tight, scratchy or made from wool. This will help you avoid irritation.
References
- Urticaria — hives. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/skin_urticaria.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2008
- Allergic skin conditions. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/allergicskinconditions.stm. Accessed Oct. 22, 2008.
- Habif TP. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Inc; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/108133988-3/0/1195/29.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50008-X--cesec5_428. Accessed Oct. 22, 2008.
- Bingham CO III. An overview of angioedema. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2008.
- Bingham CO III. Etiology and diagnosis of urticaria. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2008.
- Bingham CO III. Treatment of urticaria. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2008.
- Simmons FER, et al. Anaphylaxis: Rapid recognition and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 30, 2008.
- Atkinson JP, et al. Pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of hereditary angioedema. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 30, 2008.
