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Treating Hives With Essential Oils
Essential oils come from plants through a process called distillation.
This creates a potent oil containing all the unique properties and characteristics of the plant’s fragrance and medicinal properties.
By using essential oils for your hives, your take advantage of the essence of the plants healing properties.
Below is a list of what we consider to be the best oils available to help treat hives.
Best Essential Oils for Hives
1. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint’s cooling power is from the menthol it contains. It helps to reduce inflammation, redness, and itching.
Other properties peppermint oil contains is antibacterial, antimicrobial,insecticidal, and anti-allergenic benefits.
Peppermint oil is very concentrated, and should not be used directly on the skin.
However, you can enjoy the soothing effect of peppermint by mixing the essential oil with a carrier oil such as grape seed, coconut, almond or jojoba oil.
If you don’t have any carrier oil, you can use distilled water as the carrier.
The diluted oil can be put into a roller or spray bottle, and applied to the irritated skin.
Overall its a great essential oil for hives.
2. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil also has a cooling effect, as well as a distinctive and beautiful fragrance.
Lavender oil is one of the most versatile oils available.
It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic qualities.
Besides helping to sooth itching and burning skin, it will also protect you against infections and irritants that cause hives.
Lavender can be used topically, or in a bath.
For use in a bath, simply add 5 to 7 drops of lavender and a cup of oatmeal or Epsom salt to warm, but not overly hot, water.
Baking soda will also work. Stir in the oil and oatmeal or Epsom salt mix, then soak for around 30 minutes for maximum relief.
3. Chamomile Oil
There are two different type of chamomile available: Roman and German.
Though both essential oils can treat hives, German Chamomile is recommended for hives because of its superior anti-inflammatory properties.
Chamomile is excellent for soothing itchy and irritated skin.
Chamomile can be used by mixing 5 to 6 drops in your favorite carrier oil such as almond, coconut, or jojoba.
Clean the area before application, and use up to three times a day for maximum healing and relief from hives.
4. Lemon Oil
This is a citrus based essential oil that not only smells good, but is anti-inflammatory and antibiotic.
Lemon oil will help sooth itchy hives, especially hives caused by insect bites, because of the antioxidant quality.
All citrus essential oils are photosensitive, so always store them out of the sunlight and use at night.
To use lemon oil, mix with a carrier oil before applying.
5. Myrrh Oil
Myrrh has been around for thousands of years, and treats a wide range of ailments.
Myrrh will help sooth the itchiness of hive because of it’s potent anti-inflammatory quality.
It also helps the healing process because of the antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties.
To use myrrh essential oil for hives, make a balm by using a sterile jar.
Place an ounce or two of Shea butter, then slowly heat in hot water to soften the butter.
Once the Shea butter is soft, stir in 5 to 6 drop of myrrh oil then stir.
After the mixture has cooled and hardened, you will have an effective balm to help heal and sooth your hives.
6. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a heavy hitting essential oil when it comes to treating skin conditions.
It is packed with anti-fungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and analgesic properties.
This oil can be used on most skin abrasions such as shingles, acne, and of course, hives.
To use tea tree essential oil for hives, mix 5 to 6 drops of oil in hot water.
Use a clean cloth or towel to make a hot compress by soaking it in the water and oil mixture.
Wring it out, then apply gently to affected skin.
Another easy treatment with tea tree oil is to put 5 or 6 drops in a bath, and soak for about 30 minutes.
7. Helichrysum Oil
This is a less commonly known oil that packs a punch.
It is a potent oil containing anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, and anti-allergenic properties.
It can be used to help treat a wide range of skin conditions.
Because of all the healing qualities this oil has, it will calm irritations, reduce swelling, prevent itching, and heal rashes from hives.
To use helichrysum essential oil for hives, make a gel by mixing two ounces of Aloe Vera with 7 drops of helichrysum essential oil.
Store in an air-tight container and apply directly onto the hives.
This mixture can be stored in the refrigerator, adding the extra benefit of a cooling sensation.
How To Use Essential Oils for Treating Hives
1.Add Essential Oils To Your Bath
You can add 20 to 30 drops of your choice of essential oil to an oatmeal bath.
This will help hydrate your skin, as well as help to heal hives.
2.Use A Humidifier
Dryness in the air can also irritate your skin.
Simply add 20-30 drops of your favorite essential oil to a humidifier and let it run in whichever room you are spending the most time in.
3.Compress
Use a clean cloth, folded and infused with the essential oil of your choice.
The compress can be either cold or hot, whichever gives you the best results.
To infuse the cloth, fill a bowl with water, then add 2 to 5 drops of essential oil.
Soak the cloth, then apply to hive area after wringing it out.
Do not ever scrub the hives, just let the compress do its job.
4.Diffuser
Irritants in the air such as pollen and pet dander can cause hives.
Purifying the air using a diffuser can be an effected line of defense.
Simply add water the to diffuser, plus 4 to 6 drops of the essential oil of your choice.
5.Topical Application
Some essential oils can be safely applied directly onto your skin.
Other oils can be applied safely through the use of a carrier oil such as jojoba or coconut oil.
Typically, around 30 ml of carrier oil to 20 to 25 drops of essential oil is used.
6.Sauna
You can enjoy the therapeutic effects of essential oils in a sauna.
Simply pour 1 cup of water with 5 to 6 drops of essential oils over the hot rocks.
More Information About Hives
Hives can happen suddenly.
One moment your skin is smooth as silk, and the next you have red welts which are very itchy.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) report that around 20 percent of people will experience hives in their lifetime.
That is a one out of five chance you’ll encounter the uncomfortable, itchy, red blotches.
What Are Hives?
Hives are a common skin rash. It can be triggered by several sources such as medication, food, irritants, and stress.
Their patterns and size can vary.
Some hives are the size of the tip of a pencil, and others can be as large as a dinner plate.
Hives are a reaction in the skin to a variety causes including allergies and irritants.
While hives can clear up on their own within a day, the burning and itching sensation can go on for weeks.
Hives that last for 6 weeks or more are called chronic hives.
The medical term for hives is urticaria.
This refers to a topical rash on your skin.
Welts and rashes that occur deeper under the skin are called angioedema, and are considered more serious because they can cause swelling in eyelids and mouth.
Hives are your body’s way of reacting to the release of chemicals and histamine under the skin.
Inflammation and accumulation of fluids due to the release of histamine and chemicals create itchy, burning hives.
Symptoms of Hives
Symptoms of hives are easy to spot.
Some of the most common are red, itchy blotches and welts, white spots that appear when the hive is pressed, skin swelling that dissipates within 24 hours then reappears, and a burning sensation on the blotches.
Hive Triggers
While hives are easy to recognize, it is not so easy to pinpoint the cause. There are many sources that trigger hives.
- Shellfish
- Peanuts or other nuts
- Eggs
- Penicillin
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Latex
- Insect bites or stings
- Poisonous plants such as poison ivy or oak
- Pet dander
- Bacterial infections such as a UTI
- Viral infections
- Pollen
- Blood transfusions
- Stress or anxiety
- Contact with chemicals
- Allergy shots
Different Types of Hives
There are four different categories for hives and/or angioedema.
1. Hereditary Angioedema
This is a rare variety, passed down through families.
Painful and non-itchy patches can form on the body in a variety of areas such as face, hands, tongue, or throat.
2.Dermatographism
These hives are caused by tight fitting clothes which cause chafing of the skin, or scratching the skin, and can appear at the same time as other types of hives.
3. Chronic urticaria and/or angioedema
This hives are recurring or chronic, lasting at least six weeks.
The cause for these hives are harder to pinpoint but could include autoimmunity problems or viral and bacterial infections.
4.Acute urticaria
These are hives that last less than six weeks, and are the most common variety.
The causes for urticaria include medications, food, latex or infections.