Hives

Approximately two-thirds of people with chronic hives (hives present for more than 6 weeks) have low blood levels of iron. Among those with low iron levels, supplementation with iron for 1 to 2 months resulted in marked improvement in the hives in most cases.¹ Iron supplementation has the potential to cause side effects, which in some case can be severe. For that reason, iron should not be taken without supervision by a healthcare professional.

 

According to preliminary studies from many years ago, lack of hydrochloric acid (HCl) secretion by the stomach was associated with chronic hives, presumably as a result of increasing the likelihood of developing food allergies. In one such study, 31% were diagnosed as having achlorhydria (no gastric acid output), and 53% were shown to be hypochlorhydric (having low gastric acid output).² In a related study, treatment with an HCl supplement and a vitamin B-complex supplement helped to treat people with hives.³Betaine HCl is the most common hydrochloric acid-containing supplement; it comes in tablets or capsules measured in grains or milligrams. One or more tablets or capsules, each containing 5–10 grains (325–650 mg) are typically taken with a meal that contains protein. Diagnosis of a deficiency of HCl and supplementation with HCl should be supervised by a doctor.

 

Two components of green tea, the polyphenols epigallocatechin (EGC) and epicatechin gallate (ECG),⁴ are reported to have an antihistamine effect. Some doctors recommend approximately 3 cups of green tea per day or about 3 grams of soluble components providing roughly 240 to 320 mg of polyphenols, although no human trials have studied the effects of green tea in people with hives.

 

Vitamin B12 has been reported to reduce the severity of acute hives as well as to reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks in chronic cases.^5,6 The amount used in these reported case studies was 1,000 mcg by injection per week. Whether taking B12 supplements orally would have these effects remains unknown. On rare occasions, vitamin B12 injections cause hives in susceptible people.⁷ Whether such reactions are actually triggered by exposure to large amounts of vitamin B12 or to preservatives and other substances found in most vitamin B12 injections remains unclear.

 

According to preliminary studies from many years ago, lack of hydrochloric acid (HCl) secretion by the stomach was associated with chronic hives, presumably as a result of increasing the likelihood of developing food allergies. In one such study, 31% were diagnosed as having achlorhydria (no gastric acid output), and 53% were shown to be hypochlorhydric (having low gastric acid output).⁸ In a related study, treatment with an HCl supplement and a vitamin B-complex supplement helped to treat people with hives.⁹Betaine HCl is the most common hydrochloric acid-containing supplement; it comes in tablets or capsules measured in grains or milligrams. One or more tablets or capsules, each containing 5–10 grains (325–650 mg) are typically taken with a meal that contains protein. Diagnosis of a deficiency of HCl and supplementation with HCl should be supervised by a doctor.

 

In theory, high amounts of vitamin C might help people with hives by lowering histamine levels.¹⁰ Amounts of at least 2,000 mg daily appear necessary to produce these effects.¹⁰ No research trials have yet explored the clinical effects of vitamin C supplementation in people with hives.