Hives on Face

A symptom of an allergic reaction that appears as a raised, itchy area on the skin is commonly known as hives. Most of the time, they are marked with swelling of the skin around it. This condition is medically termed as 'dermal edema'.

Hives can form as a single bump or in clusters. They often turn pale when touched or applied pressure and can last anywhere from 4 hours to several days. Although they can occur on any part of the body, face is a body part that experiences its appearance. According to studies, 25% of the human population has suffered from hives at some point in their lives.

There are reasons that can lead to formation of hives on face.

• Certain Illnesses: This is the case with children. These illnesses are mostly caused by viruses. A viral sickness causing facial hives is usually accompanied with a rise in body temperature. If it is not, some other factor might be responsible for causing hives.

• Medications: It is believed that all medicines have a potential to cause hives. Therefore, if you or someone known to you has developed hives, recollect if you have taken any drug in the last 24-48 hours. If yes, then that medicine is the reason behind hives on your face.

• Certain Foods: There are certain food products that can make you develop hives. Some examples of such foods are shellfish, berries, nuts, and fish.

• Allergies: The facial bumps can be caused by a wide range of substances that you come in contact with. They might be completely harmless to other humans, but act as allergy causing allergens in your case. The list of hives-causing allergens are ingredients of toiletries like soaps, shampoos, washing powder, fabric of a blanket, bed sheets, sofa covers, etc.

Following are some home remedies that will help you treat as well as prevent further spread of hives.

• Wash your face 3-4 times with cold water. This will soothe the itching and burning sensation of the affected skin.

• Dip a clean cotton handkerchief in ice-cold water. Squeeze it to remove excess water, spread it over your face, and keep it on for about 10 minutes. Since both the aforementioned remedies dry the skin, you should use an oil-free moisturizer to retain the normal moisturized state of your facial skin.

• Take an aloe vera leaf and slit it in the middle. Remove its pulp and cover the affected skin with it. Leave the pulp on for about 10 minutes before washing it off with water.

Aloe vera will cure the itchy bumps fast and effectively because of its antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It also leaves a soothing and comforting effect on the area under its application.

• Take non-prescription oral anti-histamines. They reach the affected facial area through the bloodstream and treat the hives efficaciously.
• Follow a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals. This will strengthen the immune system of your body, which in turn will treat the affected facial skin naturally.

When hives appear on your face, the immune system of your body comes in action and works to cure it. Therefore, the best thing you can do to cure them is to assist your immune system to work better. 

As has been already mentioned, eat healthy to boost immunity and resume the normal state of your face. Give your body's natural healing ability a week's time. Monitor the condition well. Positive results are expected. However, if you don't notice any improvement in your state, pay a visit to a dermatologist.

Disclaimer: This post is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.