Urticaria

Urticaria is a kind of skin rash known for pale red, raised itchy bumps. Urticaria may cause a burning or stinging sensation. They are frequently caused by allergic reactions. It is commonly called as hives. It usually starts as an itchy patch of skin that turns into swollen red welts. The itching may be mild to severe. Scratching, alcoholic beverages, exercise and emotional stress may worsen the itching. Most cases of hives lasting less than six weeks (acute urticaria) are the result of an allergic trigger. Chronic urticaria (lasting longer than six weeks) is rarely due to an allergy.

In Ayurveda, a condition is similar to Sheetapitta. There is no specific and satisfactory treatment in Allopathy/Modern science for the condition of urticaria. But, it can be effectively managed through Ayurveda. Repeated / higher dose intake of anti histamines or cortico-steroids reduces the immunity of the body and thus Ayurveda has a definitive edge in providing a comprehensive solution to this health problem.

Causes

  • Food (especially peanuts, eggs, nuts and shellfish)
  • Infection or environmental agent (Bacterial infections – like urinary tract infections and strep throat, Viral infections – like the common cold, infectious mononucleosis and hepatitis etc)
  • Drug-induced / Medications such as antibiotics (especially penicillin and sulfa), aspirin and ibuprofen
  • Dermatographic urticaria
  • Cholinergic or stress
  • Cold-induced
  • Solar urticaria
  • Water-induced
  • Wrong Exercises
  • Insect stings or bites
  • Physical stimuli, such as pressure, cold, heat, exercise
  • Latex
  • Blood transfusions
  • Pet dander
  • Pollen
  • Some plants, such as poison oak and poison ivy

Ayurvedic view ( for causes )

  • Excess intake of salty (lavana) and pungent (katu) food
  • Contact of cold substances
  • Exposure to cold wind
  • Sleep in Day time
  • Consumption of large amount of sour gruels
  • Excess intake of mustard
  • Improper emesis
  • Altered features in winter and rainy season
  • Insect bite
  • Intestinal Worms

Symptoms:

  • Skin marks resembling the bite of nettle sting
  • Itching
  • Pricking sensation
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever
  • Burning sensation
  • Thirst
  • Tastelessness
  • Debility/fatigue
  • Heaviness of the body/lethargy
  • Rakta lochanata (reddish discoloration of the eyes)

AyurvedaTreatment:

  • Panchakarma – Body Detoxification/ Purification therapy – Vaman Virechan
  • Ayurveda Mediciness
  • Rasayan Therapy
  • Avoidance of causative factors (nidana parivarjana)

Do’s

  • Use Warm rooms
  • Older rice
  • Green gram (mung dal)
  • Horse gram
  • Bittergourd
  • Pomegranate
  • Use Warm water

Don’ts

  • Milk and milk products
  • Fish, Non veg
  • Sugar and its derivative
  • Alcohol
  • Suppression of vomiting
  • Cold water
  • Exposure to breeze, cold air

All Type of  Ayurveda Panchkarma treatments and medicines for Urticaria and all Skin diseases are available at Amruta Ayurved Panchkarma Center, Thane, Mumbai, India. Mob – 9869105594

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