[header] How to treat hives naturally [title] Understand what causes the hives. [step] Anyone can get hives. About 20% of the population have experienced them at some point in their lives. 
During an allergic reaction, certain skin cells, such as the mast cells that contain histamine and other chemical messengers like cytokines, are stimulated to release the histamine and other cytokines. These increase the amount of leakage from the tiny blood vessels in the skin and cause the swelling and itching that is so characteristic of hives.