Urticaria


What is Urticaria

Urticaria also called nettle-rash or hives or wheals in a common language, simply means itching with rash. Medically, urticaria may be defined as skin eruption, which is allergic in origin and is characterized by profound itching, red circular or irregularly shaped eruptions on any part of the body. Urticaria is an allergic skin disorder. Characteristically the skin eruptions are erythematous, raised above the skin level, with intense itching and usually worsened by itching & with slight local warmth.

These eruptions can remain on the body for variable period, anywhere between few seconds to even hours. They have tendency to disappear and reappear. They tend to disappear without leaving behind any trace.

Location and duration:

Well, urticaria may appear on any part of the skin. Angioedema is a condition when deep tissues are affected. The typical lesions may last for one minute to half an hour. Some may last even longer. Some patients may get the eruptions once in a while and some may have many times during the day. It may be restricted to a couple of spots in some patients, while some may have wide spread rashes appearing for days or even months together.

There are acute, subacute, chronic and recurring variants as far as the frequency and duration are concerned.

Histopathological view:

Under the microscope, a typical urticarial rash may exhibit perivascular, cellular infiltrate consisting of lymphocytes and eosinophils, is indicative of its allergic behavior. There are findings related to oedema (swelling) and mucosal inflammation.

The Inner War:

The urticaria rash is a symptom of an allergic and immunological event taking place at the dermal level. The exact understanding is illusive to an extent. In brief, urticaria is a hypersensitive reaction due to the histamine release. The histamine release could be from the mast cells when antigens and antibodies (IgM or IgG) combine to activate the immunological reaction. The histamine release could IgE induced. There are certain drugs, pharmacological agents (e.g.: antibiotics, morphine, aspirin, etc.), food articles (proteins, milk products, etc.) Urticaria is a sign of antigen-antibody reaction.
During this process of antibody-antigen reaction, histamine and/or acetyl choline is generated which has the property of causing vessel dilatation (vasodilation) swelling, itching, pain and rash.

Mechanism of Urticaria:

Causes:

Allergens:

A large number of allergens have been identified as causative agents for some cases of urticaria. It may be noted that urticaria is an individual hypersensitivity and the following factors may not cause urticaria in all urticaria-prone individuals.

Food allergens:

Milk, cheese, egg, protein products, wheat, cereals, certain daals as used in India, peas, orange, fish, chicken, etc. Synthetic and natural food additives and artificially-flavored food articles.

Urticaria and alcohol:

True anaphylactic reactions to alcohol (ethanol) are rare and most reactions to ingested alcoholic beverages are secondary to other chemicals in the beverage such as metabisulfite, papain, dyes or yeasts. However, there are reports of true allergic reactions in which the offending agent was shown to be the ethanol itself. Generally the symptoms of anaphylaxis occur in such patients following the ingestion of beer and/or wine. Urticarial rashes have been reported with ethanol ingestion; and hives on contact with ethanol have also been reported for some patients.

Environmental factors:

Exposure to pollen, house-dust, buffalo dander, fungi, change in temperature, etc. are known exciting factors. Extreme cold, heat, pressure may also induce urticaria.

Drugs:

The major cause for urticaria are man-made drugs such as antibiotics (Penicillin), anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, indomethacin), vaccinations, foreign sera, hormonal preparations, contraceptive pills, etc. Animals treated with penicillin excrete a small amount of it in the milk sufficient to cause urticaria in sensitive individuals.

Urticaria and cocaine:

There have been reports of morphine-induced hives in some people. Bronchospasm may occur in some patients who smoke cocaine or in those who inject heroin. This may occur more often in patients who have a previous history of asthma. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis to cocaine has also been described and is associated with elevated levels of IgE.

Infections and infestations:

Insect bites, Fungal, protozoal, frequent bacterial infections (Urinary tract), viral infections (Hepatitis), helminthiasis (worm infestations such as round worms, tapeworms), etc. are factors known to cause urticaria. Domestic contact with the pet animals should be examined as cause for urticaria.

Synthetic products:

Use of personal products such as deodorant, perfume, and talcum powder, cosmetic products, animal derivatives, and similar synthetic substances may induce this disorder.

Emotional factors:

Especially in chronic, recurring cases of urticaria the role of emotional factors must be examined. Emotional stresses may directly or indirectly make on susceptible to develop a tendency to urticaria. The psychological factors may work as exciting, aggravating or maintaining cause.

Autoimmune causes:

Chronic urticaria is now understood to have autoimmune link. Presence of auto antibodies against Immunoglobulin E (IgE), CD23 (FcεRII or Fc epsilon RII) which releases histamine, hence leading to chronic urticaria.

Systemic and general disease:

Urticaria in some cases may present as a sign of other systemic or general internal disease such as hormonal disorders (hyperthyroidism), SLE, polycythaemia, reticuloses, etc. In certain variety of malignancies (cancer) urticaria may present as a precursor.

Idiopathic cause:

No list of causation is complete without adding a paragraph of 'Idiopathic' which simply implies causes which are unknown.

Self-Care at Home

• Stop any food or medicine identified as the cause of the hives or angioedema.
• In very mild cases, no treatment at all may be required.
• Cool compresses or baths may help with the discomfort.
• Avoid hot baths or showers.
• Avoid direct sunlight.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
• Avoid strenuous activity or anything that might cause sweating.
• Try to relax and reduce stress.
• Try to stay calm.
• If you can identify the cause of the reaction, prevent further exposure.
• If you are feeling light-headed or faint, lie down and raise your legs higher than your head to help blood flow to your brain.

Prevention

Avoid exposure to any food, medicine, or physical agent that has been identified to cause your hives or angioedema.
Reducing emotional and physical stress may help.

Homeopathy treatment

Homeopathy offers research proven and effective treatment for Chronic and Recurrent Urticaria. Patients with Chronic urticaria are almost always put to mercy of (almost) life long use of antihistamine medicines or cortisone by regular doctors. Once started, it becomes almost impossible to stop it even for a couple of days. You need treatment which is more than just antihistamines.

The duration of treatment:

The total length of treatment varies form case to case, depending of the following factors:

• Duration of Urticaria
• Allergic or non-allergic nature
• Extent of spread (Mild, moderate or severe. Cases with frequent attacks of Angioedema are more difficult to treat)
• Current and past medicines (Antihistamines or cortisone)
• General health and associated diseases

Why homeopathy for Urticaria

The major benefits of homeopathy could be summarized as under:

• It offers excellent treatment which has a success rate of over 80 to 85%
• It offers immuno-correction hence gives deep-level healing
• It offers long-lasting cure instead of temporary relief.
• It is absolutely harmless, safe and non-toxic.