Alternative therapies are especially helpful in treating hives caused or worsened by stress. Guided Imagery uses the mind's ability to imagine to enable the body to adapt better to stress or illness. Even children as young as 4 or 5 can be guided to imagine with their senses that the hives are fading and the itching is resolving. The concentration of the child on this exercise will distract them from the discomfort they are experiencing and decrease anxiety. Herbal Medicine offers remedies to treat the hives internally and topically.
Some herbal teas act as antihistamines such as basil, chamomile, fennel, tarragon and oregano.
Several topical applications may also reduce the inflammation. Aloe vera and stinging nettle applied to the wheals help relieve the itching. Before administering any herbal products to children or teenagers, consult with a knowledgeable and experienced health care provider who can provide information about age appropriate dosages and precautions. Homeopathic remedies are tailored to the individual child predicated on a variety of factors that must be considered before the appropriate treatment is selected. Relaxation Techniques can be taught easily to children of almost all ages to calm them and help them to cope with the itching often accompanying the hives.