Urticaria is a disorder that can be caused by numerous causes, such as allergies, foods, environmental factors, and even stress. If stress urticaria is a recurring problem, you should see your doctor for appropriate treatment. It is also important to try to identify the triggers and take steps to minimize them. Stress urticaria remedies include natural products and relaxation exercises.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Reduce Stress
Step 1. Keep a diary about your urticaria symptoms
You can use it to identify the elements that tend to trigger it. Record the appearance of the outbreaks by including as much detail as possible about what you are feeling and what happens. Try to answer the following questions each time:
- Do you feel cold?
- You are hungry?
- Are you upset, angry, nervous, tense or anxious?
- Do you suffer from a chronic medical condition, such as asthma, diabetes or an autoimmune disease? Did something happen that could have aggravated the condition?
- What did you eat?
Step 2. Reduce your stressors
With your journal notes, after some time you should be able to recognize the recurring patterns of the disease, for example if stress hives usually occur when you are hungry. Once you have identified the stressors, you can do your best to eliminate them.
For example, if you notice that hives tend to occur on occasions when you are hungry, always have a snack on hand to help you quench your hunger
Step 3. Practice the deep breathing exercises
They will help you reduce stress and possibly hives as well. These are very simple exercises that you can perform lying down or sitting comfortably in a chair. Keep your hands resting on your stomach with your fingers intertwined.
- Take a long, deep breath and expand your abdomen as you inhale. In this way you will be sure to activate the diaphragm and therefore to stimulate the parasympathetic system favoring a condition of relaxation. You can check that the abdomen expands by observing if your fingers move apart as you inhale.
- Keep breathing like this for 10-15 minutes.
- Repeat this exercise whenever you feel stressed.
Step 4. Try the progressive muscle relaxation technique
It is another effective method to promote a state of physical and mental relaxation. The exercise consists in contracting and relaxing the muscles alternately, starting from those of the toes up to the skull.
Start by contracting the muscles in your toes, hold them tight for 5-10 seconds and then relax them. Continue by alternately contracting and relaxing the muscles of the feet, legs, abdomen, arms, neck and face. Relax your muscles gradually each time after holding them tight
Step 5. Use visualization techniques
These exercises can help you relax. Imagine in your mind a place that you would like to visit or that gives you serenity, for example a flowery meadow in the mountains or a beach of fine white sand. Try to focus on some sensory details as you focus on that image. What color is the sky? Can you hear any sound or smell in the air? How is the temperature like?
Try to keep that image in your mind for as long as possible. Breathe deeply and try to stay focused on that image for 5-10 minutes or as long as you can
Step 6. Use positive affirmations
Having a positive internal dialogue can help you relax and reduce stress hives. Repeat the positive affirmations every day, you can say them aloud or write them on cards to stick in different places in the house. Reading or saying sentences can help reduce stress levels and give you a feeling of well-being. Some examples of positive affirmations include:
- "I can do it!";
- "I am a successful person!";
- "I feel better with each passing day!".
Step 7. Consider getting help from a therapist
Expressing your emotions can be helpful if stress is the main cause of hives. If stress is interfering with your daily life and hives are common, consider seeking help from a therapist to find out what are the best strategies for reducing stress and consequently hives.
Step 8. Evaluate possible alternative treatments
There are a number of ways to relieve stress. One of the most effective is physical activity, but the list also includes acupuncture, massage, meditation, tai chi, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback (or biological feedback), music therapy, and art therapy. Along with stress, urticaria outbreaks should also subside.
It should be emphasized that diet can also contribute to the onset of stress urticaria. Try to limit yeast and food additives, and consult your doctor to find out if supplements can be helpful. Among those recommended are fish oil, quercetin and vitamins B12, C and D
Method 2 of 3: Relieve Stress Urticaria
Step 1. Apply a cold compress
Using the cold compress can help relieve and reduce stress urticaria. You can make it yourself using a clean cotton towel dipped in cold (not freezing) water. After squeezing it to get rid of excess water, place it on the area affected by the hives.
- Make sure the water is not freezing or hives symptoms may worsen rather than lessen.
- Use the tablet for as long as you want.
Step 2. Prepare an oatmeal bath
It is a good remedy for relieving stress urticaria. Pour a cup of rolled oats into a clean nylon knee-high and tie it around the faucet so that the water hits the oats before they fall into the tub. Immerse yourself in cold water and repeat whenever you feel the need.
You will most likely have to push the sock towards the stream of water with your hands
Step 3. Use calamine cream
Calamine is a mixture of minerals, including zinc oxide and carbonate. You can apply it to the area affected by stress urticaria whenever you feel the need to relieve the itch. For a correct use follow the instructions attached to the cream.
Rinse your skin with cold water when you want to remove the calamine cream
Step 4. Take advantage of the properties of the pineapple
Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that counteracts the swelling caused by stress urticaria. Cut the fruit into pieces and put it in contact with the skin or chop it up and make a compress using a thin cotton cloth.
- Join the four corners of the cloth, secure them with a rubber band and place the compress on the area affected by stress urticaria. Store the pineapple in the refrigerator until the next application.
- The use of bromelain is not recommended if you are taking anticoagulants or in view of surgery because it increases the risk of bleeding.
Step 5. Make a DIY cream to help relieve stress urticaria using baking soda or cream of tartar
Combine a tablespoon of baking soda or cream of tartar with the amount of water needed to create a spreadable paste, then apply it to the hives-affected area. Use it whenever you feel the need and wash it off with cold water when it dries up.
Step 6. Make a nettle tea
Nettle has been used to treat hives since ancient times. Infuse a teaspoon of dried nettle in a cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Once ready, let the herbal tea cool and then pour it on the skin affected by stress urticaria.
- Pour the herbal tea directly on the skin or alternatively wet a cotton handkerchief, squeeze it to remove excess liquid and then apply it where needed.
- Wear soft, cotton clothing. Avoid wool as it can irritate inflamed skin and aggravate the condition of hives.
- Use another remedy if you know you are allergic to nettle. The irritating and itchy effect caused by the plant can also manifest itself by drinking the herbal tea.
Method 3 of 3: Ask the Doctor for Help
Step 1. See your doctor
If stress hives are common, see your doctor as soon as possible. will know what the triggers are and will show you how to prevent new outbreaks in the future.
If you suspect that your hives are caused by something other than stress, your doctor may order tests, such as blood tests and allergy tests
Step 2. Ask your doctor if antihistamines could help you get better
If your stress urticaria is mild or moderate, they may help ease your symptoms, but let your doctor determine this. Some antihistamines are available without a prescription, while others are available only with a prescription.
Step 3. Know when to see your doctor urgently
Stress urticaria should go away on its own, but if it has lasted for more than 24 hours, it's important to tell your doctor. If it is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without waiting any longer:
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Dizziness;
- Swelling in the facial area, particularly of the tongue or lips
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chest pain or tightness.
Advice
- Do not treat the part with hot water, use it lukewarm at best.
- Try to work and sleep in a cool room.
