Hives (Urticaria)
Acupuncture for Hives in North Vancouver
Itchy, raised welts that come and go, sometimes for weeks or months, can disrupt sleep, work and everyday comfort. AcuLife Wellness offers acupuncture as complementary support for chronic and recurring hives (urticaria), alongside care from your physician.
Overview
Hives, or urticaria, are itchy raised welts on the skin that can appear anywhere on the body. Individual welts usually fade within a day, but new ones may keep appearing, and some people also get deeper swelling of the lips, eyelids, hands or feet (angioedema). About one in five people has hives at some point. Hives that keep coming and going for six weeks or longer are called chronic urticaria; often no single trigger is found, although heat, pressure, stress, infections and certain medications can make flares worse.
A physician's assessment comes first, and antihistamines are the usual first-line treatment. At AcuLife Wellness, we start by learning how often your hives appear, what seems to set them off, how they affect your sleep and the treatment you're using before recommending an approach.
Common Symptoms & Experiences
- Itchy, raised welts that may be red or skin-coloured
- Welts that change shape, fade within a day and reappear elsewhere
- Flares triggered by heat, pressure, scratching, cold or stress
- Swelling of the lips, eyelids, hands or feet
- Poor sleep or tiredness from itching at night
How Acupuncture May Be Used
Acupuncture for hives usually uses points on the arms, legs and back chosen for your pattern, with needles placed away from irritated or broken skin. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, hives have long been linked with "wind" affecting the skin, and recurring hives with underlying imbalances such as weakened defensive qi, so treatment looks at both the flares and your overall constitution. Cupping may be used where appropriate, and Chinese herbal medicine may be suggested alongside acupuncture after a review of your medications.
Some clinical studies suggest acupuncture may reduce itching and how often hives appear in chronic urticaria for some people, but the evidence is still limited. Acupuncture is complementary care: it doesn't replace antihistamines or other treatment your physician recommends.
AcuLife's Approach
Hong Ji, R.TCM.P., is a registered TCM practitioner in both Canada and China with 35 years of clinical experience, including skin conditions. She takes a whole-body view, so your plan considers your sleep, digestion and stress as well as your skin.
Learn more about Hong JiWhat to Expect
Your first visit includes a conversation about when your hives started, how often they flare, possible triggers and the treatment you've had, followed by an individualized assessment and treatment. A simple diary of flares can help you and your practitioner spot patterns. How often you come in is discussed and adjusted as care progresses.
Hives are one of several skin concerns we help with. See our skin health page for more.
When to Seek Medical Care
Call 911 right away if hives come with swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, wheezing, dizziness or fainting, as these can be signs of anaphylaxis. Use your epinephrine auto-injector if you have one. See your physician if hives keep returning for more than six weeks, if a single welt lasts longer than a day or leaves a bruise-like mark, if they come with fever or joint pain, or if they started after a new medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for Hives Support in North Vancouver?
Book an appointment with AcuLife Wellness.