*itch itch itch* ... I *so* hate Hives :(

[RubberDuck]

Splashed myself with some droplets of hot oil last night while cooking - only a teeny tiny amount at the top of my right arm. This morning have completely erupted in hives all in that area (and on the tips of my ears for some utterly bizarre reason?!)

Antihystamines - check
1% hydrocortisone from OTC - check

STILL itching like mad. What can I do to keep sane apart from keep busy and put mittens on?

Got any witchhazel? I used to come out in hives a lot (seems to have stopped now don't know why, or indeed what caused it in the first place).

Witchhazel takes the heat out of it.

I suppose you could try calamine lotion as well.

Isn't one of the recommendations for chickenpox itching to sit in a bath with a bit of oatmeal added? Never tried it so I don't know if it works or how you avoid sitting in a bath of porridge!

Don't have any witchhazel... but I do have some calamine (which is about 2 years old now, lol) left over from ds2's chickenpox... that wouldn't mix badly with the hydrocortisone would it?

keep it as cold as possible, frozen peas, I used to get them all over, your skin is obviously very sensitive. Over productive mast sells as they say. I used to get it when walking in hiking boots or even when my socks were too tight. prednisone was the only thing that stopped it in its tracks, wouldn't advise it though has some terrible side effects. I went down alternative route and and don't get it anymore, it really helped.

You could try yoghurt or calendula cream is good for taking away ithciness

Frozen peas definitely helping. Rash is spreading to lower inner arm now though... Very bizarre I can almost see it appear as I watch.

Loose cotton helps too, if you desperate you could probably get steroids from your doc but I cannot recommend chinese medicine enough for a longer term solution.

Has faded now... very very odd. I can see the shadows of the bumps now if I look really really hard, but otherwise you'd never have known. Hopefully it's not just a lull until the hydrocortisone wears off

Thank you for all the tips guys. Going to stock up on some of the other stuff for "next time" (though it would be nice to think there wouldn't be a next time!)