Cholinergic Urticaria: How to get Relief through Homeopathy

Urticaria refers to a skin rash in which bumps known as wheals or welts suddenly appear on the skin. Also known as hives or nettle rash, urticaria is of several types. One among them is cholinergic urticaria, which refers to urticaria that gets triggered when the body gets warm and the body temperature increases from exercise or after sitting in a warm room in hot weather, and also from sweating. It is also known as heat hives or heat bumps. Exercise is the most common of all the triggers for this type of urticaria. Other triggers for this type of urticaria include bathing with hot water, fever, exposure to sun, sitting near the stove, stress, nervousness, anxiety, anger, eating spicy or hot food and alcohol consumption.

Homeopathy offers significant relief in cases of cholinergic urticaria. The medicines are entirely safe to use, as these are prepared from natural substances and have zero side-effects. These medicines help a great deal in healing the wheals.  Along with this, any itching, burning, or stinging sensation remains under absolute control with these medicines. After managing the condition, homeopathic medicines work gradually in overcoming the tendency of recurrence of this type of urticaria.  Though, the homeopathic treatment has to be continued for a few months depending on the duration and intensity of the case.

Homeopathic medicines for cholinergic urticaria are administered separately depending on the case and based on the symptoms of the patient. The patient’s unique case profile is studied in great detail and is evaluated by a homeopath before prescribing the medicines. This approach yields the most effective results. Since the homeopathic prescription varies from case to case, it is advised to take any homeopathic medicine under the supervision of a homeopathic doctor only.

 

Homeopathic medicines target the root cause of the diseases and moderate the overactive immune response. This provides long-lasting relief rather than short-term recovery. Homeopathic medicines can be used in acute as well as chronic cases of cholinergic urticaria but is recommended only for mild to moderate cases. Homeopathy has limitations in treating severe cases of urticaria and the severe condition of anaphylaxis. Therefore, in case there is severity of intensity and where any signs of anaphylaxis are present, it is advised to take immediate help through conventional modes of treatment.

Homeopathic medicines to treat cholinergic urticaria are 100% safe to use. These medicines are free from any chemicals or toxins and thus have no side-effects. These medicines can be safely administered to patients of all age groups under the guidance of a qualified homeopath. A complete course of the homeopathic treatment as guided by a homeopathic doctor helps in absolute recovery.

Top 6 Homeopathic Medicines for Cholinergic Urticaria

The top recommended homeopathic medicines for cholinergic urticaria are Apis Mellifica, Natrum Mur, Rhus Tox, Urtica Urens, Pulsatilla and Sulphur.

1. Apis Mellifica – Top Recommended Medicine

Apis Mellifica ranks first among the list of homeopathic medicines to treat urticaria. It is one of the best medicines when urticaria gets triggered due to excessive heat and the warmth of the bed. It is also the most effective medicine for hives that occur in warm weather. Following exposure to heat, red wheals appear on the skin. The wheals are stinging and there is an intense burning sensation. These also get very itchy, especially during the night. There is relief from itching if one sits in the open air. The wheals may be painful as well and tender to touch. This also remains the top medicine to manage hives that appear during fever.

When to use Apis Mellifica?

Apis Mellifica is an effective medicine to manage cholinergic urticaria that is triggered due to the heat and warmth of a bed or warm weather, and red wheals are accompanied by burning, itching, and stinging sensations.

How to use Apis Mellifica?

This medicine can be used in different potencies, from low to high. Initially, it is advised to use it in 30C potency once or twice a day.

2. Natrum Mur – For Urticaria After Exercise

This medicine is very beneficial for urticaria that results from exercise. The bumps may form over the whole body surface for those who require this medicine. The bumps/wheals may be big in size and itchy. A burning and stinging sensation is felt too.

When to use Natrum Mur?

Natrum Mur is helpful medicine for urticaria that develops after exercise with the appearance of big wheals over the whole body.

How to use Natrum Mur?

Various potencies are available for this medicine, among which 6X potency is most commonly used. Natrum Mur 6X can be used once or twice a day.

3. Rhus Tox – For Urticaria From Sweating

Rhus Tox is the go-to medicine when urticaria is triggered due to sweating. Wheals appear with an urge for intense itching that worsens from rubbing. This medicine also helps provide relief in cases of urticaria during fever. In such cases, wheals appear all over the body along with the feeling to scratch the skin. The wheals are dark red, circular, and elevated. The surrounding skin may be swollen.

When to use Rhus Tox?

Rhus Tox is beneficial if urticaria triggers due to sweating and during fever.

How to use Rhus Tox?

Rhus Tox works well in both low and high potency. To start with, 30C potency is usually advised to be taken once a day.

4. Urtica Urens – For Exercise Induced Urticaria

Just like the medicine Natrum Mur, this medicine is also useful in case it is exercise-induced urticaria. Red-coloured raised bumps appear on the skin after exercise, accompanied by severe itching. Heat and a burning sensation are also felt on the bumps. This medicine is also recommended if formication (sensation of insects crawling under the skin) is felt. In some areas, a stinging sensation is felt on the wheals.

When to use Urtica Urens?

Urtica Urens is quite a valuable medicine that helps manage urticaria triggered by exercise, with red-coloured bumps appearing on the skin and accompanied by severe itching.

How to use Urtica Urens?

Urtica Urens 30C can be taken once a day.

5. Pulsatilla – For Urticaria In Summer

This natural medicine is highly effective in treating urticaria that breaks out in summer. For those who need it, wheals appear on the skin accompanied by itching in hot weather. Itching gets worse at night.

When to use Pulsatilla?

Pulsatilla is an important medicine for cases of urticaria occurring in summers.

How to use Pulsatilla?

Pulsatilla should be administered once a day in 30C power.

6. Sulphur – For Urticaria During Fever

Sulphur is a suitable medicine for managing cases of hives that get triggered during fever. The wheals may appear on the arms, legs, face, and neck. The hives can be quite itchy and it is accompanied by a burning sensation.

When to use Sulphur?

Sulphur should be administered to manage urticaria during fever.

How to use Sulphur?

One may use this medicine once a day in 30C potency.

Signs And Symptoms

In cholinergic urticaria, tiny (between 1 – 5 mm) bumps appear on the skin surrounded by circles called wheals. The bumps may be skin coloured or red. These may turn white when pressed. Itching, stinging, tingling, or burning sensation may be an accompanying factor. Though the bumps may appear on any part of the body, they occur more commonly on the face, chest, arms, and upper back. Palms, soles, and armpits are never affected. The hives may develop within 5-6 minutes of exposure to the trigger and may remain for half an hour to about two hours. This condition may vary from mild to severe and require immediate medical attention. Some of the symptoms of a severe condition (called anaphylaxis) include hives covering the whole body along with other symptoms like swelling in the deep layers of skin and swelling in the throat or of the tongue. This condition can block airways, causing contraction of the airways that results in breathing difficulty, wheezing, a weak and rapid pulse, dizziness, and low blood pressure. When any of these severe symptoms are felt, it is advised to take immediate medical help, as these point towards a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis.

Cause

The exact reason for cholinergic urticaria is not yet known. Though, it is believed that it may be a response to an allergen. In this condition, the body overreacts to heat and sweat. Heat and sweat, along with the release of histamine, cause such a reaction. Though it may affect both males and females, it is relatively common in males. A person already suffering from an allergic condition like hay fever (allergic rhinitis), asthma, eczema, or urticaria from some other causes (like eating certain foods or pressure on the skin) is at a higher risk of suffering from cholinergic urticaria.