At BionwoRx, we’ll work with you to address the root cause of your hives, naturally and effectively.

Hives

A functional medicine approach to hives.

Seeking a natural treatment for hives (urticaria)? This page covers:

At BionwoRx, we’ll collaborate with you to uncover the root cause of your hives. Then, we can address the real issue naturally and effectively.

Understanding your skin condition

What are hives?

Hives are an inflammatory immune response that causes mast cells to release chemicals like histamine under the skin’s surface. This triggers irritation of nerve endings, leading to itchiness and swelling as fluid is released from blood vessels. These itchy, raised welts or “wheals” can be round, oval, flesh-colored, or pink to red, and they may even merge to form large areas of raised skin. Hives can appear and disappear rapidly, within minutes. However, for those with chronic hives, the condition can persist for weeks or months.

Hives

Natural treatment for hives.

Seeking natural, long-term relief for your hives? At BionwoRx, our functional medicine practitioner takes a natural approach to uncover and address the root causes behind your condition, helping to soothe your hives naturally and solve the problem for good.

At BionwoRx, we’ll work with you to address the root cause of your hives (urticaria) naturally and effectively.

Who can get hives?

Chronic urticaria, or hives, can affect anyone regardless of age, but it’s more common in women than men. The peak age range is typically between 20 and 40 years old. Hives are also very common in children.

Family history can play a role, and researchers have found genetic links to chronic urticaria.

Despite being an unpredictable condition, chronic hives often disrupt other aspects of a person’s health and life. This includes sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, impaired performance at work and school, and limitations on daily activities.

Unfortunately, many people with chronic hives feel their condition isn’t taken seriously, and the disruptions it causes to their lives aren’t properly acknowledged. This can be especially frustrating when they seek help and only receive temporary relief from conventional treatments.

What can cause hives?

Hives can develop on the skin for a variety of reasons, leading to different classifications of the condition:

  • Acute spontaneous urticaria: Sudden appearance of raised, itchy skin patches (wheals) and/or swelling (angioedema) for less than six weeks
  • Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU): Spontaneous wheals and/or angioedema lasting six weeks or longer. This is also known as chronic urticaria or chronic idiopathic urticaria
  • Chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU): Wheals triggered by physical factors like touch or temperature extremes, lasting six weeks or more. This is also called physical urticaria.

Other types: Aquagenic, cholinergic urticaria, exercise induced urticaria, contact urticaria.

Our practitioner takes a closer look at each patient’s unique situation when they come to our practice seeking natural support for their urticaria. Contributing factors can include:

Autoimmune disorders.

The exact cause of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) remains a mystery, but scientists believe the leading theory points to autoimmune dysfunction as a major culprit. This hypothesis suggests the body mistakenly releases histamine in response to its own immune cells, triggering hives. Supporting this theory, up to 40% of CSU patients develop hives when their own serum is injected into the skin. Additionally, many people with hives also have autoimmune disorders like hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes.

Infections.

Some cases of urticaria, also known as hives, can develop in response to infections caused by external organisms and pathogens. These include bacterial infections from Helicobacter pylori, streptococci, staphylococci, Yersinia, Mycoplasma, and Pneumoniae. Viral infections such as hepatitis, norovirus, and parvovirus can also trigger urticaria, as can parasitic infections like giardiasis.

Allergies, sensitivities, and additives.

People often assume that their hives are caused by foods or food additives. While food allergies can trigger acute cases of hives, foods are rarely the root cause of chronic urticaria. Instead, certain high histamine foods and inflammatory ingredients may push already elevated histamine levels over the edge. That’s why our practitioners work closely with patients to identify their potential food triggers and eliminate any aggravating foods from their diet.

Gut health.

People with chronic hives often have an imbalance of gut bacteria (dysbiosis) and low vitamin D levels. By addressing these two factors through probiotics, supplements, and dietary changes, we can calm the body’s inflammatory response and lower the risk of hive flare-ups.

Stress.

Emotional stress is a leading driver of inflammation in the body. This inflammatory response can then trigger the development of hives. Research shows that periods of high mental and emotional stress can both precede the onset of urticaria (hives) and worsen symptoms once the condition has started.

To help manage anxiety and stress-related hives, it’s important to integrate stress management strategies and relaxation activities like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. Developing healthy sleep habits is also crucial. These holistic approaches can work to restore the body’s natural balance.

Additionally, supporting the body’s increased nutrient needs when under stress is an integral part of treating anxiety and stress-related urticaria. By taking a comprehensive approach that addresses both the mind and body, you can find relief from this frustrating skin condition.

Environment.

The world around us is constantly shifting and evolving, and that dynamic environment can trigger a variety of inflammatory skin problems. From plants and animals to bites, stings, heat, and cold, many environmental factors can lead to issues like hives. While some triggers may be tough to identify, they’re often among the easiest to address – simply remove or avoid them when possible.

Pressure.

Avoiding irritation is crucial when dealing with urticaria. Any type of direct pressure, from firm friction to light brushing of clothing, can further aggravate the condition. This is especially true for inducible urticaria, which includes the well-known dermographism. With this condition, the skin swells in response to touch, allowing people to ‘draw’ pictures or words on their skin by simply tracing a finger over it.

Exercise.

Many of us jokingly claim to have an “allergy” to exercise, but those with exercise-induced urticaria truly do experience physical reactions. The combination of heat, sweat, friction, and cardiovascular exertion creates the ‘perfect storm’ that can aggravate hive outbreaks. While exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, our practitioner will work with you to find options that allow you to stay active without further irritating your skin

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Natural vs conventional hives treatment.

At BionwoRx, we take a more natural approach to treating hives. We aim to understand the root causes and contributing factors specific to you, rather than just masking the symptoms like conventional medicines do.

The BionwoRx functional medicine approach to hives.

At BionwoRx, our practitioner takes a proactive and personalized approach to addressing the root causes and contributing factors behind your hives. We start by conducting a range of functional tests to uncover underlying issues, such as infections, food allergies, or inflammation. Based on the results, we then create a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Our treatment options may include dietary changes, gut health support, probiotics, nutritional supplements, herbal medicines, and lifestyle modifications. We know that hives can be a frustrating and persistent condition, and many people have tried various treatments with limited or short-term success. Our functional medicine skin health expert is dedicated to helping you find real, lasting solutions by addressing the underlying causes, not just the symptoms.

With our comprehensive and personalized functional medicine approach, we’re confident we can help you overcome your hives and achieve lasting relief.

FAQs.

Are hives contageous?

No, they are not contagious. They’re an inflammatory response from the immune system, triggered by environmental factors like allergens.

How to sooth hives naturally.

Natural remedies like oatmeal baths, witch hazel, and aloe vera lotions can provide relief, but they don’t address the underlying cause. While they may resolve on their own, chronic hives require a more comprehensive treatment plan to target the root of the inflammatory response in the skin.

Can stress cause hives?

Intense emotional stress can spark inflammation in the body, which in turn can trigger the onset of unsightly and irritating hives.

Research has shown that periods of high stress often precede the development of hives, and can also exacerbate symptoms once the hives have appeared.

The good news is that stress-reduction strategies like meditation, yoga, and mindfulness practices can help resolve hives. Additionally, supporting the body with extra nutrients during times of stress can also aid in managing this skin condition.

How long can it take hives to disappear?

Most acute hive cases clear up on their own within 24 hours. But for more persistent, chronic cases, the episodes can drag on for six weeks or longer. The good news is that natural treatments are available to help shorten the duration of chronic hives and prevent them from coming back.

Request a personal consultation.