Urticaria is one of the most common skin allergies. Urticaria is also known as hives or nettle rash in which erythematous, raised eruptions like that of wheals to appear on the skin along with intense itching, stinging and burning. Urticaria is nothing but one form of immunological or hypersensitivity reaction of the body in response to exposure to a certain allergen like an insect bite, food or chemicals or certain medicines etc. Urticaria can be acute, recurrent or chronic. In acute forms of urticaria, angioedema can be seen. In severe cases, anaphylatic reaction can be seen in the form of angioedema, difficulty in breathing, sudden shock.
Conventional medicines for urticaria attempts to control it mainly with the use of anti histaminic agents or steroids. Long-term use of anti histamines or steroids makes patient dependent on them like in a case of chronic urticaria. The patient may develop resistance to these conventional medicines and treat such cases of urticaria becomes difficult.
Homeopathy has the significant role in the treatment of acute, recurring and chronic forms of urticaria. Homeopathy considers urticaria as the local expression of an internal imbalance of immune system and addresses the root cause at the level of immunity. Homeopathic medicines arouse the body’s own healing mechanism and lead to long-term cure in urticaria. Homeopathic medicines can be taken along with symptomatic anti-allergic medication if needed. Later it can be taper off under the supervision of an expert.
Naturm Muriaticum
This homeopathic remedy is prepared from sodium chloride or common salt. This remedy has very deep action and is indicated in the wide range of disease conditions. Natrum muriaticum is indicated in patients who are oversensitive to all sort of influences. It’s one of the commonly prescribed remedies for chronic urticaria. The rashes peculiarly come on after exertion in these patients. Useful for urticaria and wheals with itching, burning which is worse by eating salt, at seashore mental exertion, heat. Itching is better in open air and cold bath.
Apis Mellifica
The source of Apis Mellifica is venom of the honey bee. It is useful in cases of urticaria with a reddish rash all over the body with intense stinging, burning and severe itching. It is used in cases where angioneurotic oedema on the face, around eyes is seen. The urticaria and itching aggravate in hot weather and after slightest touch. The patient becomes restless due to complaints. Apis mellifica has a tendency to develop oedema- swollen, puffed up parts especially puffy eyes, albuminuria, difficult urination, burning while passing urine etc.
Rhus Toxicodendron
It is prepared from the plant source Poison ivy. Rhus tox is indicated in cases of urticaria where the causation is physical exertion, getting wet in rain or exposure to the excess of cold. Rhus tox is given when the along with erythematous hives there is severe burning and itching. The affected part is swollen. The urticaria is worse from cold in any form and is better by the warmth in general.
Urtica Urens
The source of this remedy is a plant known as stinging nettle. This plant has little prickly hair that sticks to skin and can cause severe stinging pain and itching. Urtica urens is given where urticaria is due to bee stings or after eating shellfish. Hives are erythematous and in blotches with intense burning and itching. Urtica urens is indicated in recurrent urticaria especially which recur periodically every year. It is also indicated in case of urticaria nodosa and angioneurotic oedema.
