High doses of vitamin D provided significant relief of chronic hives, a condition with no cure and few treatment options, in a recent study.

The research from the University of Nebraska Medical Center examined the effect of 600 IU vitamin D daily versus 4000 IU vitamin D daily, with both groups also taking allergy medication. While both groups saw progress initially, the group taking 4000 IU saw a 40 percent reduction in hives after three months, while those taking 600 IU saw no improvement after the first week.

“We consider the results in patients a significant improvement,” principle investigator Dr. Poole said in a press release. “This higher dosing of readily available vitamin D3 shows promise without adverse effects. Vitamin D3 could be considered a safe and potentially beneficial therapy.

Hives, also known as Urticaria, is an aoutbreak of swollen, pale red bumps that appear suddenly on the skin due to an an allergic reaction or reasons unknown, according to WebMD. Chronic hives are characterized as hives lasting more than six weeks. For most people, the cause cannot be determined, there is no known cure, and treatment options are limited.

Click here to read the press release from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

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