Introduction
Picture yourself sitting when all of a sudden your skin begins itching immensely. Within minutes, red rashes or swelling bumps appear on your arms, spreading wildly. Scratching becomes unavoidable, even though the patches may recover within a matter of hours. Yet the persistent uncertainty and unexpected episodes can make you restless and apprehensive.
Urticaria is not just a skin rash due to allergy, it can also affect sleep, concentration, and tranquillity. The wheals appear unexpectedly, sometimes accompanied by burning, stinging, or swelling, which can be frustrating. In some individuals, the attacks are recurring over a short period (acute urticaria), but in others, the itching may stay for weeks or months (chronic urticaria).
Sudden rashes and itching may seem devastating and Ayurveda offers effective remedies. The first step towards improved management is recognising the symptoms of urticaria and knowing what causes them. In this blog, let’s explore allergic skin reactions, what causes them and Ayurveda way of treating it.
Understanding Urticaria
The symptoms of urticaria are varied and are listed below.
- The chief manifestation is the onset of wheals: indurated, pruritic welts of variable size and shape that can erupt anywhere on the body.
- These skin rash due to allergy episodes are characteristically associated with severe itching, described as pruritus, which varies from minimal to severe and usually leads to considerable distress.
- Squashing, alcohol intake, physical exercise, and emotional stress can intensify itching.
- Urticaria may be accompanied by angioedema, a more profound skin swelling of the lips, eyelids, and throat.
- Causes are allergic reactions (due to various sources like egg, nut, shellfish ingestion), seasonal causes, external factors, medications (such as aspirin, antibiotics, NSAIDs), autoimmune reactions, physical stimuli (like heat, cold, water, pressure, sun, vibration), infections, and occasionally idiopathic.
- About 15-20% of the world’s population suffers from urticaria at any time during their lifetime.
Urticaria – Ayurveda perspective
Urticaria is considered Sheetapitta in Ayurveda. It is a Tridoshaja Vyadhi, meaning it is an imbalance of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). The condition usually occurs as a result of the predominance of Shita (cold) over Pitta Dosha, particularly when one is subjected to cold weather conditions. This exposure worsens Kapha and Vata Doshas, which then blend with Pitta Dosha, disseminating throughout the body and displaying as rashes on the skin’s surface. The primary Dushyas (affected tissues) are Rasa (plasma) and Rakta (blood).
Symptoms of urticaria (Sheetapitta) in Ayurveda have remarkable similarities with contemporary descriptions. They are Varati Damshavat Shotha (wasp sting-like eruption, rashes, or wheals), Kandu (severe itching), and Daha (sensation of burning). Shul or Toda (pricking pain or sensation) may also be experienced by the patients. The accompanying symptoms like Jwara (fever) and Chardi (nausea or vomiting) may also appear. Symptoms tend to exacerbate in the early morning or evening.
Allergic Urticaria and Other Allergic Skin Reactions
Allergy urticaria is more precisely a form of urticaria that arises from an immune reaction against allergens. Its features are the development of itchy wheals, severe itching (pruritus), and sometimes angioedema. Food articles such as nuts, shellfish, eggs, certain medicines such as antibiotics, NSAIDs and pollen, pet dander are frequent causes of allergy urticaria. Identification and avoidance of these particular causes are a fundamental part of treatment.
Allergic skin reactions involve a larger variety of conditions. These are:
- Allergic Contact Dermatitis: A form of inflammation caused by direct skin contact with an allergen, which results in redness, itching, and blistering.
- Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema): A long-term condition characterised by dry, itchy, inflamed skin, commonly linked with other allergies such as asthma.
- Drug Reactions: Skin responses due to medication, ranging from mild rashes to critical conditions.
- Food Allergies: Presentations as hives or eczema to particular food allergens.
- Allergic skin reactions may manifest as a skin rash due to allergy. Reactions may be immediate (minutes to hours, frequently IgE-mediated) or delayed (hours to days, commonly T-cell mediated). Identification of the nature of the allergic reaction and the causative agent is important for successful therapy.
Early Identification and Management Strategies
Early detection of symptoms of urticaria is crucial. Contemporary medicine treats urticaria mainly with antihistamines and steroids. Although these provide relief of symptoms temporarily, their chronic consumption can cause side effects.
Ayurveda provides an integrated system to treat Sheetapitta using Shodhana (cleansing) and Shamana (symptomatic) Chikitsa. Treatment depends upon the Dosha imbalance – from Langhana (fasting) in mild cases to Shodhana in severe cases.
Shodhana Chikitsa is intended to remove vitiated Doshas from the body and is regarded as being most effective for preventing relapse. Important Shodhana procedures are:
- Vamana (Emesis): Vomiting induced to get rid of Kapha and Pitta Doshas from the higher channels. Sadyovamana or immediate emesis may be utilised in crisis circumstances, giving prompt relief from symptoms.
- Virechana (Purgation): Purification of toxins and vitiated Doshas, especially Pitta, via the lower channels. Nitya Virechana (daily laxatives) for a limited duration can be scheduled.
- Raktamokshana (Bloodletting using leech): Employed to pacify the burning sensation and purify the blood.
Preparatory procedures for Shodhana may involve Deepana-Pachana (carminative and digestive treatments) and Snehapana (internal oleation). Ghrita treated with bitter herbs are also popular for Snehapana because it exhibits anti-inflammatory, Vata and Pitta pacifying, and skin-purifying actions.
Shamana Chikitsa entails palliative remedies to alleviate remaining Doshas and symptoms.
Topical Pastes for Relief
- A paste prepared with tulasi (holy basil) juice and a soothing natural ingredient (such as wild turmeric) is applied directly on the affected region to alleviate itching and burning.
- A paste with warm ghee and naturally fragrant powder like sandalwood, applied softly to affected skin.
- Massage with particular oils (mustard) followed by a warm water bath.
- Application of fresh basil juice to alleviate itching.
- Durva (Doop) Grass and turmeric paste: Used externally as a poultice.
- Rock salt in ghee—mentioned especially for urticaria and other eruptive conditions.
Diet and Lifestyle Advice
Wholesome (Pathya) Foods:
- Old rice, plain pulses such as Green gram (Mudga), Horse gram (Kulattha), and light vegetables like Bitter gourd (Karavellaka)
- Warm, freshly cooked food
- Bitter and astringent vegetables
- Warm water as a beverage
- Plain fruit juices such as pomegranate, Indian gooseberry.
- These assist in balancing digestive fire and aiding skin healing.
What to Avoid:
- Milk and milk products
- Fish and flesh
- Cold water and cold foods
- Fermented and sour foods
- Sweets
- Sleeping during daytime
- Exposure to cold wind and undue change of weather
Conclusion
Urticaria, or Sheetapitta, is a difficult disease, but with an integrated strategy using insight into its contemporary and Ayurveda presentations, as well as effective management options, long-term relief and prevention of recurrence can be achieved.
