Urticaria/Hives

Hives(urticaria) are red, itchy raised areas of the skin that can occur anywhere on the body, such as the trunk, arms and legs. These vary in size and appearance, fade repeatedly as the reaction runs its course. This is a very common skin disease that appears as an allergic reaction. It occurs when the body reacts to an allergen and releases histamine and other chemicals from under the surface of the skin.

Symptoms can last anywhere from minutes to months – or even years.

1. Hives can appear on any area of the body; they may change shape, move around, disappear and reappear over short periods of time.
2. The bumps - red or skin colored “wheals” with clear edges – usually appear suddenly and go away just as quickly.
3. Pressing the center of a red hive makes it turn white – a process called “blanching.”
4. Itching and burning sensation in the affected areas.
5. Secondary - Breathlessness, Swelling in the throat, Skin infections.

Examples of known triggers include:

• Foods allergies
• Infections
• Intestinal parasites.
• Extreme temperatures like sunlight exposure, changes in temperature, exercise.
• Pet hairs, dust mites, pollen.
• Cockroaches and cockroach waste.
• Some plants, including nettles, poison ivy, and poison oak.
• Insect bites and stings.
• Some chemicals, latex.
• Chronic illness, high body temperature or medication.

Other predisposing/Promoting causes are:

1. Excess intake of salty and pungent food.
2. Eating large amounts of sour gruel's.
3. Excessive intake of mustard.
4. Exposure to cold wind or contact of cold substances.
5. Day sleep.
6. Suppression of vomiting re-flux.

According to Ayurveda, Health is defined by the balance of three elements in our body: vata, pitta and kapha. The above causative factors lead to impairment of digestion and aggravation of pitta resulting in accumulation of toxins(ama). Ama spread to all parts of the body and accumulate in the body’s external surface (beneath the skin), eventually producing reddish rashes characterized by intense itching & pricking sensation. A condition resembling Urticarial rashes, tends to be manifested. In ayurveda it is known as Sheet-Pitta.

Treatment protocol aims at:

• Treating inflammation of the skin and maintaining  normal texture of the skin.
• Prevent recurrence by balancing the immune response.
• Regular intake of supplements can help in long term relief and rejuvenating the whole body.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding the causative factors. If the problem persists then consider the following treatment protocol:

1. Burning sensation, red rashes(hives), itching  are associated with allergic inflammation, it can be managed with Avipattikar churna, Guduchi, Laghusootshekhar ras, Kamadudha. It regulates the immune response and also balances the vitiated pitta, which causes aggressive allergic reactions.
2. Itching and Hives in the skin can be managed with Bruhat haridra khand, Haridrakhand, Khadira, Sariva, Manjistha, these drugs are excellent blood purifiers and remove toxins from the body treating disease from its root and preventing further attack.

Other Therapies - virechana/Purgation therapy (cleaning digestive tract and purifies blood), Blood letting therapy.

Avipattikar churna, Guduchi, Laghusootshekhar ras, Kamadudha, Bruhat haridra khand, Haridrakhand, Khadira, Sariva, Manjistha