1. Cold Compress
Unless you have hives that are triggered by cold (which is rare), have a cool bath or apply a cold compress. Cold shrinks the blood vessels and blocks further release of histamine. To further relieve itching, add colloidal oatmeal (such as Aveeno) to the bathwater and soak in it for 10 to 15 minutes. (Caution: Be very careful getting out of the bath, as that finely ground oatmeal suspension makes the bath’s surface very slippery.)
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3. Pepto-Bismol
Alternatives to calamine lotion are milk of magnesia or Pepto-Bismol. Because they are alkaline, they help to relieve itching.
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