Ayurvedic Management Of Urticaria

Urticaria

Urticaria, also known as hives or nettle rashes, is caused by an allergic reaction. It makes the body develop a red, raised, and itchy skin rash. Different types of urticaria have been identified based on their different shapes and sizes, but they usually look like nettle stings. Urticaria occurs when the body reacts to an allergen and releases histamine and other chemicals from under the surface of the skin. Histamine and chemicals cause inflammation and fluid to accumulate under the skin, causing wheals (swelling). The wheals appear in varying shapes and sizes, from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter anywhere on the body.

In Ayurveda, Urticaria is known as Sheetapitta, in which sheeta means cold and pitta means hot. Therefore, it is caused by the increased control of cold over hot. Ayurveda explains that Sheetapitta occurs when the exposure of cold breeze, Vata, and Kapha doshas gets aggravated and, in turn, mixed with Pitta Dosha and produces red skin rashes.

Types Of Urticaria

Urticaria can be classified into two types:

• Acute urticaria

  When hives occur for less than 6 weeks, it is termed "Acute Urticaria." It develops suddenly and the main causes are respiratory allergens, food allergens, psychological factors, and any infections or medications.

• Chronic urticaria

  It occurs for more than 6 weeks and lasts months to years. The main causes are hereditary, autoimmune disorders, and idiopathic.

Different types of Urticaria are Acute Urticaria and Chronic Urticaria.

Symptoms Of Urticaria

Common Symptoms are:

• Batches of red or skin-colored welts (wheals).
• Skin becomes like a bite of nettle string.
• Itching may be severe.
• Pricking.
• Painful swelling (angioedema) of the lips, eyelids, and inside the throat.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Burning sensation.
• Fever.

Causes Of Urticaria

The common causes are:

• An allergic reaction, such as a food allergy or a reaction to an insect bite or sting.
• Cold or heat exposure.
• Infections such as a cold.
• Certain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics.
• Hormonal changes and emotional factors.
• Foods like peanuts, eggs, nuts, and shellfish.
• Latex, pollen, and some plants and pet dander.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Urticaria

Ayurveda prescribes internal medications, external therapies, purificatory therapies, and herbal remedies to cure Urticaria. The main external therapies prescribed by Ayurveda are:

• Abhyanga

  Abhyanga or External Oleation means the application of unctuous material (with tila oil/various medicated oils/ghrita etc.) on the external surface of the body i.e. skin which softens and imparts luster to the skin and removes dryness from the body. Abhyanga is done with Sneha Dravyas which pacify Vata dosha. Abhyanga improves the quality of eyesight and nourishes various body components producing pushti. For Urticaria Abhyanga is done with khara,lavana taila.

• Lepa

  It means external applications of medicinal pastes are used in the affected parts.

• Parisheka

  In this treatment, stream pouring, sprinkling, or showering of medicinal liquids like decoctions, medicated milk, oil, etc are used over the afflicted areas. It treats diseases caused by vitiated vata, pitta, and kapha doshas.

Some of the purificatory therapies for the treatment of Urticaria are:

• Vamana

  Vamana Karma means induction of emesis. It is a procedure in which doshas (waste products or toxins) are expelled from the body through the oral route. This treatment is done for the aggravated Kapha dosha and dislodges the toxins mainly from the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. This therapy is done for preventive and curative purposes.

• Virechana

  Virechana is a detoxification therapy that has many advantages. With virechana, you can improve immunity and resistance to many infections and diseases. It is beneficial for improving blood circulation while nourishing the skin, improving digestion, strengthening muscles, and eliminating stress.

During the procedure, the patient is subjected to oleation first, then fomentation, which is followed by emesis and Samsarjana Karma (postoperative). The internal oleation is followed for three to seven days. Thereafter, a medicated steam bath is performed for three days.

The main Ayurvedic treatments for urticaria are Abhyanga, Lepa, Parisheka, Vamana, and Virechana.

Internal Medications For The Treatment Of Urticaria

Some of the internal medications used for the treatment of urticaria are:

• Haridrakhandam.
• Arogyavardhini.
• Patolakaturohinyadi kashayam.
• Guduchyadi Kashayam.
• Avipathi churnam.
• Indukantham Ghritham.
• Triphala Guggulu.
• Triphala with Honey.
• Navakarshika Guggulu.
• Trikatu with Sharkara.
• Aadraka Rasa with Purana Guda.

Diet Recommendations As Per Ayurveda

Ayurveda prescribes some of the foods we have to avoid and some foods we can include in our diet to cure the condition of Urticaria. They are as follows:

Do’s

• Drink warm water for drinking.
• Include old grains in your diet.
• Use vegetables such as bitter gourd.
• Consume Kapha-suppressing foods and herbs such as lighter fruits (apples and pears), honey, beans, grains, spices, and vegetables.
• Include Amalaki, or Indian gooseberry in your diet.
• Use green grams.

Don’ts

• Avoid milk and milk products, fish, and other kinds of seafood which likely cause allergy.
• Avoid salt, excess spicy-sour foods, heavy fruits (oranges, bananas, pineapples, figs, dates, avocados, coconuts, and melons), tofu, nuts, and certain vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes).
• Avoid foods that are hard to digest.
• Do not consume dairy products.
• Avoid bad food combinations.
• Avoid alcohol and cold water.

Lifestyle Modifications

Ayurveda suggests the following lifestyle modifications help to manage the symptoms of urticaria:

• Avoid contact with cold objects, artificial cooling devices, and exposure to cold winds.
• Avoid daytime sleep after lunch.
• Sleep on time after dinner.
• Don’t suppress natural urges.
• Bathe daily with hot water.
• Do regular exercise, meditation, and yoga.
• Follow the seasonal regimen and daily regimen as per Ayurveda.
• Avoid chemical products that can cause allergies.

Herbal Remedies For Urticaria

The herbs used for the treatment of Urticaria are:

• Haridra

  Haridra, also called Turmeric, is an effective Ayurvedic remedy for allergic skin ailments like rashes, itching, urticaria, boils, and allergic rhinitis. The presence of antioxidants in turmeric makes it a powerful healer. Turmeric is a natural way of treating skin-related problems. Take 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder and one black pepper with a glass of milk or water two to three times a day. It is an excellent treatment to increase the body’s immunity for urticaria patients.

• Nimba

  Nimba, commonly known as the Neem tree, is one of the most widely used herbs in Ayurveda. A paste of Neem leaves can be consumed in a 5 to 7-gram dose daily to reduce urticaria.

• Amrita

  In Sanskrit, Giloy is known as 'Amrita', which means "the root of immortality," In Ayurveda, Giloy is attributed with Raktashodhak properties that aid in removing impurities from the blood ((Raktashodhak), which helps in combating many skin ailments. It is considered a natural remedy to purify the blood, fight germs and bacteria, and help maintain flawless skin.

• Katuki

  This herb is dry, light, and cold in potency. It removes accumulated toxins and promotes digestive fire. It is very good for removing blood impurities and skin diseases.

• Ashwagandha

  Ashwagandha is used in Ayurvedic formulations for stress, strain, fatigue, pain, skin diseases, diabetes, and gastrointestinal diseases. It helps to reduce the pain and inflammation caused by urticaria.

• Triphala

  Triphala has antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. These properties help to heal Urticaria.

The various Ayurvedic herbs that effectively treat Urticaria are neem, turmeric, Ashwagandha, Gilloy, Katuki, and Triphala.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned information related to Urticaria is taken from various Ayurvedic resources. Always take the advice of an Ayurvedic doctor before starting self-medication.