Definition:
Urticaria or hives is an area of dermal oedema developed due to increase in capillary permeability. When it occurs on lips, eyes or throat, it is called as angio – oedema. The signs and symptoms of urticaria are due to mast cell degranulation with release of histamine occurring as a result of the body’s reaction to certain allergens or sometimes out of unknown results.
Causes:
- Allergens in foods, inhalants and vaccines.
- Certain allopathic drugs.
- Weather – cold, heat, sun exposure, rain or change of weather.
- Infections with acute febrile conditions.
Classification:
- Acute urticaria: Urticaria lasts less than six weeks. The most common causes can be certain foods, preservatives, medications, or infections. Insect bites and internal disease may also be responsible.
- Chronic urticaria and angioedema: Urticaria lasting more than six weeks. The cause of this type of urticaria is usually more difficult to determine.
- Physical urticaria: Urticaria caused by direct physical stimulation of the skin like cold, heat, sun exposure, vibration, pressure, sweating, and exercises. The urticaria usually occurs right where the skin is stimulated and rarely appears elsewhere. Most of the urticaria appears within one hour after exposure.
- Dermatographism: This is urticaria forms after firmly stroking or scratching the skin.
Signs and symptoms:
- Itching over red bumps (wheals) with burning.
- Heat of the part and stinging pain.
- Swelling of the part.
- Occurs on any part of the body.
- The size varies from person to person.
Danger signs:
If urticaria or angioedema occur with any of the following symptoms, contact the doctor immediately:
- Swelling of the tongue, lips, eye lids or face.
- Drowsiness and dizziness.
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Wheezing sounds of respiration.
- Tightness feeling in the chest.
Diagnosis:
Usually the diagnosis is clinical. There are no such specific investigations for urticaria.
Skin allergy test and serum Ig E are usually performed to find out the kind of allergen.
Treatment:
Conservative treatment:
- Apply ice to the affected areas.
- Wear loose-fitting lightweight clothes.
- Try to find out the cause of allergic response and try to avoid it.
Homoeopathic treatment:
Constitutional prescription with cause – modality – concomitant – sensation – location approach is always helpful.
Acute remedies such as Ant Crud, Apis Mel, ArsAlb, Bovista, Chloralum, Copaiva, Dulc, Hep Sulph, Nat Mur, Puls, RhusTox, Sepia, Sulphur, UrticaUrens and UvaUrsi etc.
