Hives: identifying triggers and calming skin reactions
Chronic hives can be unpredictable and uncomfortable. The functional medicine approach investigates immune and environmental factors, helping to calm reactivity and restore balance.

The functional medicine approach to hives
Looking for a holistic treatment for hives, or want to find out how to treat the condition? This page covers:
At Melbourne Functional Medicine, we’ll work with you to address the root cause of your hives naturally and effectively, using our award winning approach to healthcare.
What are hives?
Understanding your skin condition
Hives occur as an inflammatory immune response, caused by mast cells releasing chemicals including histamine underneath the lining of the skin. This response creates irritation of nerve endings, resulting in itch and irritation, while blood vessels release fluid causing the distinctive localised swelling of hives.
These itchy welts or ‘wheals’ are usually round or oval in shape, either flesh coloured or pink to red in colour, and can even join to create large areas of raised skin. They can appear rapidly, change shape, disappear and reappear within minutes. For people with chronic hives however, the condition can persist for weeks or months on end.


What are hives?
Understanding your skin condition
Hives occur as an inflammatory immune response, caused by mast cells releasing chemicals including histamine underneath the lining of the skin. This response creates irritation of nerve endings, resulting in itch and irritation, while blood vessels release fluid causing the distinctive localised swelling of hives.
These itchy welts or ‘wheals’ are usually round or oval in shape, either flesh coloured or pink to red in colour, and can even join to create large areas of raised skin. They can appear rapidly, change shape, disappear and reappear within minutes. For people with chronic hives however, the condition can persist for weeks or months on end.

The problem isn’t just skin deep
Want to treat hives naturally and permanently?
There is no one single cause of hives. So when a patient comes to our practice seeking natural support for hives, our practitioners take a deeper look at what is going on for the individual.
At Melbourne Functional Medicine, our practitioners offer a proactive and personalised approach to uncovering, and addressing, the root cause and contributing factors specific to your condition, to help soothe hives naturally and solve hives for good.
Who can get hives?
Chronic urticaria can affect anyone, of any age, but hives are more common in women compared to men, and the peak age band is from 20 to 40 years old. Hives in children is very common.
Family history can also play a role, and genetic links have been found.
Despite being an unpredictable condition, there is a common thread of hives causing disruption to other aspects of health and life, including sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, impaired performance at work and school, and limitations on daily life.
Unfortunately, many people with chronic hives report feeling like these aspects of the condition aren’t acknowledged, and their condition isn’t taken seriously.
It can be particularly frustrating when they seek help and receive conventional medicines which only provide temporary relief.
Forget antihistamines. Treat the cause, naturally
What causes hives?
Hives on skin can occur for a range of different reasons, and as such, there is a range of different classifications of hives:
- Acute spontaneous urticaria: Spontaneous occurrence of wheals and/or angioedema for less than six weeks.
- Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU): Spontaneous occurrence of wheals and/or angioedema for a total duration of six weeks or more. This is synonymous with ‘chronic urticaria’ and ‘chronic idiopathic urticaria.’
- Chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU): Occurrence of wheals for a total duration of six weeks or more, which is inducible by physical factors (touch, pressure extremes). This is synonymous with physical urticaria.
Other types: Aquagenic, cholinergic urticaria, exercise induced urticaria, contact urticaria.
When a patient comes to our practice seeking natural support for hives treatment, our practitioners take a deeper look at what is going on for the individual. Contributing factors can include:
Autoimmune disorders: Science is yet to fully understand the aetiology of chronic spontaneous urticaria, but the leading hypothesis ties one of the main causes of hives to autoimmune dysfunction, which makes the body release histamine in response to its own immune cells. This theory is backed by findings that up to 40 percent of patients with CSU develop hives as a result of having their own serum injected into their skin. There is also a high prevalence of autoimmune disorders among people with hives, including hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, Sjogren syndrome, coeliac disease and type-1 diabetes.
Infections: Some cases of urticaria develop in response to infections of external organisms and pathogens, including bacteria like helicobacter pylori, streptococci, staphylococci, yersinia, mycoplasma and pneumoniae; viruses including hepatitis, norovirus and parvovirus, and parasites like giardia.
Allergies, sensitivities and additives: People often assume foods or food additives are causing their hives. And while food allergies can trigger acute cases of hives, foods are rarely the cause of chronic urticaria. Instead, certain high-histamine foods and inflammatory ingredients may push already elevated histamine levels over the edge. For this reason, our practitioners work with patients to identify their potential food triggers and eliminate any aggravating foods from the diet.
Gut health: People with chronic hives have a high prevalence of dysbiosis of the gastrointestinal tract and low levels of Vitamin D3. By addressing these two factors with probiotics, supplements and dietary change, we can downregulate the inflammatory state of the body and reduce the risk of hive outbreaks.
Stress: Emotional stress is one of the leading causes of inflammation in the body. It is this inflammatory response mechanism that can trigger hives. Research has found that periods of high mental and emotional stress can both precede the onset of urticaria, and exacerbate symptoms after onset of the condition. Integrating stress management strategies and relaxation activities like yoga, breathwork, meditation and mindfulness, as well as healthy sleep habits can all work to assist in restoring a healthy balance. All of these factors are integral to anxiety and stress hives treatment, along with supporting the body’s increased nutrient needs when under stress.
Environment: The dynamic and ever-changing environment around us can be a never-ending source of potential aggravators. Plants, animals, bites and stings, heat, and cold can all contribute to a range of inflammatory skin conditions including hives. Some environmental factors can be difficult to pinpoint, but they’re one of the easiest causes to address by simply removing or avoiding them where possible.
Pressure: As with all skin conditions, it’s important to avoid irritation of hives. Any type of direct pressure, from firm friction to clothes brushing lightly against the skin, can further aggravate the condition. This is particularly true for inducible urticaria, which includes the better-known dermographism – a condition that causes the skin to swell in response to touch. People with this condition can even ‘draw’ pictures or words on their skin by simply tracing a finger over it.
Exercise: Many of us claim to have an allergy to exercise, but people with exercise-induced urticaria quite literally do. A combination of heat, sweat, friction and cardiovascular exertion creates the ‘perfect storm’ for aggravating hive outbreaks. Exercise is still an important part of a healthy lifestyle, so our practitioners will look for options to help you stay active, while avoiding further irritation of your skin.
Natural vs conventional hives treatments
Conventional medicines like antihistamines aim to dampen the histamine response and potentially reduce the inflammation and swelling associated with hives after they occur. In more severe cases, corticosteroids or immunosuppressants may be prescribed to manage symptoms. While these treatments can provide short-term relief, they do not address the underlying factors that may be triggering the reaction.
At Melbourne Functional Medicine, we take a more natural and holistic approach to hives treatment in Australia. Rather than just managing symptoms, we work to uncover the root cause of your hives—whether it be dietary triggers, gut health imbalances, immune system dysfunction, or environmental factors. By identifying and addressing these contributing factors, we help you achieve long-term relief and improved overall health.
The Melbourne Functional Medicine approach to hives
At Melbourne Functional Medicine, our practitioners offer a proactive and personalised approach to uncovering, and addressing, the root cause and contributing factors specific to your condition, to help solve hives for good.
Testing: We provide a range of functional testing options to first help establish the underlying contributors, which can include testing for infections, food allergies and inflammation levels in the body.
Treatment options: Our practitioners then tailor a treatment plan including dietary changes, gut health support, probiotics, nutritional supplements, herbal medicines and lifestyle changes to help you address and correct these imbalances.
If you suffer with hives you may have already tried some or all of these treatments and found limited or only short-term relief. Our skin health practitioner, Rebecca Hughes can work with you to find real answers to why your hives are occurring and how you can treat the cause effectively and naturally.

Case study
See how our approach helps our patients achieve better health and richer lives.
Katie came to the clinic with growing concerns about her health. She’d been struggling with frequent occurrences of hives, with itching that required daily antihistamines, and migraines that often coincided with her menstrual cycle. These challenges were further compounded by heavy periods, pelvic pain, anaemia, and an elevated cardiometabolic risk.
Read Katie’s story by hitting the button below
Katie’s story
Katie came to the clinic with growing concerns about her health. She’d been struggling with frequent occurrences of hives, with itching that required daily antihistamines, and migraines that often coincided with her menstrual cycle. These challenges were further compounded by heavy periods, pelvic pain, anaemia, and an elevated cardiometabolic risk.
Despite making some initial dietary changes on her own, such as cutting out alcohol, Katie was seeking a deeper understanding of what was causing her symptoms, and a structured approach to resolving them.
An in-depth analysis of the problem
To fully assess Katie’s health, Comprehensive Health Array, Precision 88 (P88) food reactions test, MyDNA Comprehensive, Dutch Plus, and Microbiomix tests were used to examine her nutrient levels, genetic predispositions, and gut health. Outcomes were:
- Katie had difficulties with liver detoxification and was lactose intolerant, information that was previously unknown to her.
- The P88 test uncovered measurable food reactions, which were likely contributing to her hives and autoimmune issues related to thyroid health.
- Thyroid autoantibodies were also identified as a measure of inflammation, suggesting that monitoring her thyroid health was critical.
- Her high LDL cholesterol was flagged as a concern for cardiovascular health, and nutrient imbalances such as low selenium and high zinc/copper ratios further indicated the need for targeted thyroid support because of the importance of these nutrients for thyroid function.
With this comprehensive analysis, it became clear that several underlying factors were contributing to Katie’s symptoms, including food intolerances, nutrient imbalances, and inflammation in her thyroid. Addressing these through personalised interventions would be crucial in improving her overall health and quality of life.
Implementing the solution
Katie’s personalised health plan included both dietary changes and supplementation to address the underlying issues revealed by her tests. While waiting for all the test results, her practitioner suggested that she start with a low-histamine diet to see if that improved the hives she was experiencing. This dietary approach was designed to reduce the histamine load on her body and observe how her symptoms responded.
Katie was also prescribed skin creams, sprays and supplements. The topical preparations were used to relieve acute skin symptoms, and the action of the supplements was to:
- Modulate the immune system and reduce the action of histamine
- Support liver function
- Reduce cholesterol
- Optimise stomach acid and upper digestive function
- Enhance antioxidant status (to reduce inflammation generated free radical damage to skin and thyroid tissues)
Once the P88 test results were received, Katie was recommended to commence a P88 elimination diet. This involved avoiding the foods which elicited a strong IgE or IgG reaction, for 6 – 12 weeks. Finding specific foods, like kidney beans and cucumber as highly reactive foods, would have been impossible without testing.
With big dietary changes like this, the health coach played an important role. Although Katie was open to making changes, she found the idea of completely overhauling her diet overwhelming. Her health coach worked closely with Katie to overcome these barriers by focusing on behavioural changes and mindset shifts.
Katie faced several challenges during her healing journey, but with the guidance of her health coach, she was able to overcome them and make meaningful progress. One of her biggest struggles was the anxiety around restricting her diet. Food had been a source of comfort for her, and the idea of giving up familiar favourites felt overwhelming. Initially, she found it hard to fully commit to a low-histamine diet, but her health coach helped her reframe her perspective. Through motivational interviewing, they explored her resistance and developed a more flexible approach, allowing her to follow the diet 80% of the time while leaving room for occasional indulgences. This shift eased her anxiety and made the process more sustainable, ultimately leading to fewer hives and a reduced reliance on antihistamines.
Katie also found motivation through small wins. As she began noticing improvements in her skin – fewer flare-ups and less itching – the positive changes reinforced her commitment to the dietary changes. Her health coach encouraged her to celebrate these milestones, helping her stay motivated even when the process felt challenging.
Managing the routine of taking multiple supplements was another hurdle. Katie felt overwhelmed by the sheer number and struggled to keep up. Her coach broke down the purpose of each supplement, emphasising their role in her healing journey, and suggested ways to integrate them into her daily habits. Understanding their importance helped Katie stay consistent, and over time, she saw the benefits in her overall well-being.
Emotionally, Katie had unresolved traumas that were affecting her health. She recognised she hadn’t taken the time to process these challenges, which were weighing heavily on her mind and body. Her coach introduced her to journaling as a tool for reflection and emotional release. They also discussed the connection between emotional and physical health, helping her understand how unprocessed feelings could manifest as symptoms. Journaling became a regular practice, giving Katie a safe space to work through her emotions. She felt heard and validated during these sessions, which played a vital role in her healing.
With her coach’s support, Katie was able to navigate these barriers, build resilience, and make lasting changes that supported her recovery.
Achieving an incredible result
By the end of the program, Katie experienced significant improvements in both her physical and emotional health. Her hives and skin flare-ups became less severe, and she no longer needed to take antihistamines daily. Katie also noticed that her migraines, which used to coincide with her menstrual cycle, had disappeared.
Additionally, her pelvic pain was greatly reduced, and she was able to enjoy activities such as pilates and tae kwon do again without discomfort.
Katie expressed pride in her progress, saying, “I’m thankful that as early as now, I have been able to find out health issues and do something about it.”. She also shared, “I’m proud of myself – I know my body more. Doing the lab tests has been informative.”
By sticking to the dietary recommendations 80% of the time and making gradual lifestyle adjustments, Katie found that her quality of life improved significantly. She felt more connected to her body, more confident in managing her symptoms, and more empowered to make decisions that supported her well-being.
Katie’s journey is a testament to the power of personalised health interventions, emotional support, and a flexible approach to dietary changes. Through the guidance of her practitioner and health coach, she was able to reclaim control over her health and feel more at ease in her body.
Ready for a personalised, natural functional medicine treatment?
Our unique model of care was designed with you in mind. Find out how, then book a call today
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Are hives contagious?
No. Hives are an inflammatory response from the immune system in response to an environmental factor such as allergens, so are not contagious.
How to soothe hives naturally?
Natural topical treatments like oatmeal baths, witch hazel and aloe vera lotions can soothe hives, however are not a remedy for the condition.
While hives can resolve on their own, chronic hives requires a comprehensive treatment that seeks to address the cause of the inflammatory response in the skin.
Can stress cause hives?
Emotional stress can lead to inflammation in the body that can trigger hives.
Research has found that periods of high stress can precede the onset of hives, and make symptoms worse after the onset of hives.
Stress reduction strategies like meditation, yoga, breathwork and mindfulness can help resolve hives, as is supporting the body with nutrients required in greater amounts when the body is under stress.
How long can hives take to go away?
Acute cases will usually resolve or fade within 24 hours, however for more chronic cases, episodes can last for six weeks or more. Chronic hives can be treated naturally to reduce the duration and avoid reoccurrence.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Reach out to the team directly – we’ll be happy to assist.