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Urticaria, also called hives or ‘nettle rash’, refers to raised, elevated, itchy bumps (wheals, also called welts) on the surface of the skin that result from an allergic reaction to certain allergens. Hives can be accompanied by burning sensations and stinging pain.
There is a wonderful scope to treat urticaria in homeopathy with natural homeopathic medicines. Homeopathy is helpful for treating hives that have surfaced recently (acute) as well as the ones that have been there for a longer duration (chronic). Homeopathic medicines initially help to clear the acute outbreak of wheals. These medicines help to heal the welts. Also, it provides relief from itching, burning, and stinging sensations. Subsequently, these medicines reduce the recurrence and severity of urticaria gradually.
How Homeopathy Treats Urticaria?
1 .Homoeopathy addresses the root cause: To overcome urticaria, homeopathic remedies act on the root cause of the problem. Urticaria is a result of a hyperactive immune system and overproduction of histamine in response to an allergen, leading to welts on the skin. There are also accompanying symptoms like itching, burning, and a stinging sensation. So, for complete treatment and cure, homeopathy optimizes the immune system and lowers the overproduction of histamine naturally.
2 Individualized Prescription:In homeopathy, there is no particular medicine that can treat all the cases of urticaria. Therefore, the most suitable medicine has to be administered from among the list of different medicines for urticaria as listed in homeopathic therapeutics. The medicines are administered as per the characteristic symptoms the individual shows, i.e., the specific type of urticaria, its trigger factors, and the factors that worsen & provide relief from its symptoms. Urticaria should be evaluated by only a qualified homeopath so that he prescribes the medicines depending on a case-by-case basis. Self-medication should be avoided.
3 .Natural medicines with no side effects: Homeopathic medicines are safe and natural. They have no unwanted adverse effects. The medicines are prepared from naturally obtained and highly diluted substances, which are gentle on the human body. With homeopathic treatment, the dependence on use of antihistamines and other conventional medicines is also reduced.
Homeopathy is recommended for mild to moderate cases of urticaria. In severe cases and cases of anaphylaxis, urgent treatment through conventional medicines should be sought, as it is a life-threatening condition and homeopathy has its own limitations.
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Top 10 Homeopathic Medicines for Urticaria
The top 10 homeopathic medicines to treat urticaria are Apis Mellifica, Natrum Muriaticum, Urtica Urens, Rhus Toxicodendron, Dulcamara, Astacus, Sulphur, Chloralum, Elaterium Officinarum and Fagopyrum Esculentum.
1. Apis Mellifica – Top Grade Medicine For Urticaria
It is a leading medicine for the treatment of urticaria. The key symptom of using this medicine is red, inflamed wheals with marked burning and stinging sensations. Itching is intense during the night. The wheals may be painful and tender to the touch. They usually appear as a result of heat. The Hives, which trigger in warm weather, are also indicative of its use. Other than that, Urticaria from an insect bite is another characteristic to use this medicine.
When to use Apis Mellifica?
The characteristic feature of using this medicine is red welts on the skin accompanied by a burning and stinging sensation.
How to use Apis Mellifica?
This medicine can be administered in 30C potency twice or thrice daily as per the severity of the symptoms.
2. Natrum Muriaticum – For Urticaria From Exercise And Heat (Cholinergic Type)
It is a very effective medicine for the treatment of hives that are triggered by too much exercise and heat. Those who need it get wheals over the whole body accompanied by excessive itching. The wheals appear like large red blotches. Burning and smarting sensations also appear in them. In many cases stinging sensation is also felt in the rash.
When to use Natrum Muriaticum?
This medicine is administered in cases of hives that are triggered by heat and excessive exercise.
How to use Natrum Muriaticum?
It is advised to take Natrum Mur 6X three to four times daily as per the intensity of the symptoms.
3. Urtica Urens – For Hives that Appear in the Same Season Every Year
Use of Urtica Urens is administered when it surfaces in the same season every year. Wheals are red with itching and a burning sensation. The patient constantly scratches the skin to get relief. There is a stinging sensation felt on the welts. Swelling of the face may appear along with the above symptoms in some cases. Nettle rash from eating shellfish is also indicative of using this medicine.
When to use Urtica Urens?
Urtica Urens can be used if there is a tendency to have hives in the same season every year.
How to use Urtica Urens?
It is recommended in a 30 C potency two to three times a day.
4. Rhus Toxicodendron– For Water-Induced/Aquagenic Type Urticaria
Rhus Tox is helpful for those who suffer from water-induced hives. Here, the patient gets wheals due to contact of the skin with water. The wheals are accompanied by itching. After one scratches, a burning sensation follows. Stitching pain is also an accompanying factor.
When to use Rhus Toxicodendron?
Rhus Tox is a wonderful medicine to treat hives triggered by contact of the skin with water.
How to use Rhus Toxicodendron?
This medicine can be administered in 30C potency two to three times a day.
5. Dulcamara – For Hives from Cold Air Exposure (Cold-Induced Type)
Dulcamara is suitable for cases of urticaria that is cold-induced. Those who need it get hives due to exposure to the cold air. They get red wheals on the whole body. It is accompanied by excessive itching. Needle-like pricking sensation is also felt on the wheals.
When to use Dulcamara?
Dulcamara should be administered to treat urticaria triggered by exposure to cold air.
How to use Dulcamara?
Use Dulcamara in 30C potency once or twice a day for the best possible results.
6. Astacus – For Urticaria Accompanied By Liver Complaints
Astacus is administered if urticaria is accompanied by liver complaints. The wheals appear over the entire body. They result in itching and stinging pain. It is mainly indicated in long-standing (chronic) cases.
When to use Astacus?
This medicine is an ideal prescription for hives accompanied by some liver complaints.
How to use Astacus?
One may use Astacus 30C once a day.
7. Sulphur – To Manage Itching In Eruptions
Sulphur is prominently administered to manage itching in the wheals on the skin. Most of the time itching gets better by scratching. The wheals may appear over the entire body. This is accompanied by an intense burning sensation, besides itching. In addition to this, stitching like prickling sensation on the skin is also felt. Formication sensation, as if an insect is crawling on the skin, is another accompanying symptom.
When to use Sulphur?
Sulphur can be considered to manage itching in the welts in cases of hives.
How to use Sulphur?
It is advised to limit the use of Sulphur 30C to just once a day.
8. Chloralum – For Urticaria From Scratching Skin (Dermatographic Type)
Chloralum is mainly recommended for dermatographic type of urticaria. Those who need it get welts on the skin if the skin is scratched. The patient complains of severe irritation, itching, and a stinging feeling. This medicine also helps those cases of hives that appear at night and get better during the day. In such cases, wheals are large and red, and sometimes accompanied by swelling of the face and the eyelid. The wheals have itching that compels a person to scratch until it bleeds. Apart from this, this medicine is also indicated when a complaint appears due to alcohol intake.
When to use Chloralum?
Use this medicine for urticaria if the disease is a result of scratching of the skin.
How to use Chloralum?
Chloralum 30 C can be taken once or twice a day.
9. Elaterium Officinarum – For Sudden Oedematous Urticaria with Violent Burning
Elaterium is indicated for very severe urticaria associated with sudden oedematous swellings, especially when the skin eruptions are accompanied by marked swelling of the face, eyelids, or lips. The wheals are large, raised, and may be associated with burning and stinging sensations. This medicine is useful when urticaria appears suddenly and spreads rapidly. The eruptions are often large, puffy, and accompanied by marked burning and stinging. It is especially useful when hives appear after exposure to damp weather or suppressed discharges.
When to Use Elaterium officinarum?
It can be used when urticaria is acute, and there is rapid swelling of skin or mucous membranes, especially after cold, damp exposure or gastric disturbance.
How to use Elaterium officinarum?
It is commonly prescribed in 30C potency, 2–3 times daily in acute cases.
10. Fagopyrum Esculentum- For Sun-Aggravated Itching with Erythema
Fagopyrum is one of the best remedies administered when there is marked itching of the skin, especially after exposure to sunlight. Skin becomes intensely itchy, red, and excoriated from scratching. It is often associated with gastrointestinal disturbances. The skin becomes hypersensitive, and there may be marked redness. It is especially useful when one suffers from urticaria due to exposure to sunlight or certain food items.
When to use Fagopyrum Esculentum?
It is administered in urticaria triggered by sunlight or heat, and when itching is a prominent complaint and there is nervous irritability.
How to use Fagopyrum Esculentum?
It is usually administered in 30C potency, one to two times daily, depending on the intensity of the problem. In recurrent cases, weekly dosing may be prescribed but under supervision.
What Are Its Causes?
The reason behind hives is usually an allergic reaction due to an overactive immune system. This reaction may occur from the consumption of certain food items or touching something to which a person is allergic. Hives are a result of the release of histamine (a chemical produced by the immune system during an allergic reaction to get rid of an allergen) from mast cells and basophils under the skin’s surface. This results in dilatation of blood vessels under the skin and inflammation. Following this, these vessels become leaky and cause fluid to accumulate under the skin, causing wheal formation and swelling. People who have allergic tendencies are at risk of hives. Other than allergies, hives may also result from other non-allergic conditions like stress, tight clothes and infections. Many a time, in over half of the cases, the exact causes and trigger factors cannot be ascertained.
What Triggers Urticaria?
The main triggers include consumption of foods such as eggs, nuts, and shellfish. Also, certain medications like some antibiotics, NSAIDs, even exercises, scratching, alcohol, and insect bites may also trigger it. Other triggers include sun exposure, stress, extremes of heat or cold, some intestinal parasites, animal dander, pressure on skin, dust mites, water application, and certain plants, such as poison ivy. In some cases, viral infections (like common cold, mononucleosis, hepatitis), and bacterial infections (urinary tract-infection, strep throat) may trigger it. Sometimes it can arise in patients who have thyroid and Celiac’s disease (a gastric disorder in which an immune response in the small intestine is triggered from eating gluten that damages the small intestine).
What Are The Signs And Symptoms?
1. Wheals: It is the major sign of urticaria.It refers to raised, elevated, smooth-surfaced, itchy bumps on the skin with clearly defined edges. They are itchy. Also, burning and stinging sensations may be felt.
2. Location of wheals: They may appear on the surface of the skin on any of the body parts. They may be localized, confined to one body part, or many, or may be present on the entire body.
3. Color of wheals: It may be pink, red, pale or skin-colored. On being pressed, they may turn white (blanching).
4. Size of wheals: They can be small, like a pinpoint or may be several inches big. They may also join and form larger ones known as plaques.
5. Shape of wheals:They may be round, oval or ring-shaped.
6. Duration: They usually disappear within a few hours and will not remain present beyond one full day.
7. Angiodema:In some cases, angioedema arises. This means swelling appears under the skin, mainly around the eyes, lips, mouth, and sometimes around the genitals, hands, and feet.
8. Anaphylaxis:Very rarely, hives may appear from a severe allergic reaction, and lead to anaphylaxis in which intense swelling of lips, tongue, and throat arises along with troubled breathing, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and sometimes it may lead to fainting. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening condition and thus it should be treated urgently.
What are the Various Types Of Urticaria?
There are two classifications of urticaria, based on the duration and based on the cause that induces it.
1. Based on Duration:
(a). Acute Urticaria – It lasts less than 6 weeks and its common causes include food allergies, drugs like NSAIDs and antibiotics.
(b). Chronic Urticaria – It may occur intermittently or even daily and it lasts more than 6 weeks.
2. Based on Cause (Inducible Types):
(a). Dermatographic – Urticaria arising after scratching the skin
(b). Cold Induced – Wheals triggered by exposure to cold air
(c). Heat-induced – Urticaria due to exposure to heat
(d). Cholinergic – Urticaria triggered by exercise, stress or hot bath
(e). Solar – Eruptions after exposure to sunlight
(f). Pressure Induced – Urticaria that is induced by pressure
(g). Aquagenic- Wheals triggered by water contact
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is urticaria contagious?
No, urticaria is not contagious. It does not spread from one person to another.
2. How long does urticaria last?
Acute urticaria lasts for a few days to weeks (less than 6 weeks). Chronic urticaria persists for more than 6 weeks and may continue for months or even years with recurrent episodes.
3. What are the common symptoms of urticaria?
The main symptoms include intense itching, red or skin-colored raised patches (wheals), burning sensation, and sometimes swelling of lips, eyelids, or face (angioedema).
4. Can stress cause urticaria?
Yes, emotional stress can trigger or worsen urticaria in some people. Managing stress can help reduce flare-ups.
5. What should I avoid if I have urticaria?
It is advisable to avoid known triggers such as spicy food, seafood, packaged food with preservatives, extreme temperatures, tight clothing, alcohol, and unnecessary medications without medical advice.
6. Is urticaria dangerous?
Most cases are mild and manageable. However, if there is difficulty in breathing, swelling of the throat, dizziness, or fainting, it may be a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
7. Can urticaria be treated with homeopathy?
Homeopathy aims to treat urticaria by addressing the underlying cause and individual symptoms. Remedies are selected based on the patient’s constitution, triggers, and nature of eruptions.
8. Can urticaria come back again?
Yes, especially in chronic cases, urticaria can recur. Proper treatment, trigger avoidance, and lifestyle management can help reduce recurrence.
9. What lifestyle changes can help manage urticaria?
Drinking enough water, avoiding trigger foods, maintaining a stress-free routine, regular sleep, wearing loose cotton clothes, and keeping the skin cool can help manage symptoms.
10. What is the role of Vitamin D in managing urticaria?
Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system. Low levels of Vitamin D are commonly seen in patients with chronic urticaria and may increase the frequency or severity of hives. Removing the deficiency may help reduce symptoms in some cases. However, supplements should be taken only after proper medical advice.
I am patient of chronic urticaria since last 18 yrs. I get the rash daily and seasonal changes trigger it and the flare up is very bad. I have been on antihistamines daily and some times on steroids when it’s severe . Can you please suggest a medicine for a permanent cure of this allergy, it’s taking a toll on me.
sir mere ko ek sal se dermographisam urticaria ,chronic urticaria ki problem hai pure body m hlka sa scerch lagne par jaldi hie red raesh ho jate h or swaling ho jati hai or ye mixmium 30 mint tak rahata hai or or body m hlka sa pressure padane pr bhi jaldi se neeshan chhap jate hai or fir nimnees ho jati hai avi m har 3din ke bad ek attrax tablet leni padti hai jis se mujhe icching kam ho jati hai sir homopathic m eska best tretment btaeye pls sir
Hello sir, mujhe 4 sal se on and off chronic urticaria hai jo stress, exercise, no proper sleep, aur kuch food se bhi hai, aur toh aur meh kabhi bhi NSAID 2 ya 3 day ke liye continuous le lu toh mujhe jaruri se urticaria ho jate hai. Mene urticaria ke liye bahut sare treatment leye hai antihistamines tablets aur steroid. steroid on and off leti hu. Symptoms red patches and heat over there, angioedema, itching, burning sensation, pain all over the body. Pls sir mujhe kaun si medicine Leni chahiye hemopathic meh pls sir mujhe reply kijiye ga
sir I have suffering urticaria for one year from both seasion clod summer and wet seasion. meri body pr pit uchhalti h or pure sarir pr lal lal daphad ho jate h bhut medicine kha li but koi effect nahi huaye mostly night ko jyada hoti h maine bahr ka sara fast food bhi band kr rakha h sara sarir suj jata h sir koi parmanent ilaz batein
Sir,
My 2.6yrs old son has got rashes on all over the body which are small but he has itching only at his back.Dr. jas diagnosed him of allergy.Please suggest the medicine.
Sir,
I am suffering from urticaria form Jan end, couldn’t identity the exact trigger but at one point of time it seemed very likely to be milk. I haven’t touched milk for last 3 weeks, and have been on Rhustox & Dulcumra 200 thrice daily, which had given moderate to good results. But as the dosage was brought down to twice daily since the last 2 days, I had some big eruptions today.
Please advise.
Note :- I am a psoriasis patient, but am not taking any medication at present
My daughter is 13 years old she has urtrica but it’s not very intense her lips swelled and legs has red bumps
Please let me know what should I giver her
Hello sir
I am facing the urtacaria in same season about feb and march since three year.It become severe in exposure of sun light.
Last year i took some homeopathic medication like nustrum mur,blood purifier etc. Regulary for 4 month.
But now i am suffering again of redness & itching.
If i will go to sun light then it will become more severe
Kindly guide me
Can I use pulsatilla for it?
Dear Doctor,
My son has been suffering for the last two month with hives.
We have done the allergy tests and we are doing our best to keep him away from the agents.
It has been over two months now he is on Allegra and the symptoms persist.
We would like to move to alternative medication and would like to know how to go ahead with homeopathy.
sir my son have urticaria since 3 months that start after awakening at morning some time hives found another time also. and dissapeared in 30 minuites .he is under allppath treatment.what to do
Dear Doctor,
I have itching and rash from almost 6 months, I have been taking Montek LC and also some days Allegra 180mg
But no good results. First a red patch will appear and followed by itching in that area. When I rub it.. it will become small bumps.. I think I have dermatographic urticaria, I need to figure that out, pls help me yo identify the symptoms and pls help me to get rid of this problem permanently.
Regards
Rajesh
sir, i have used the following medicines for urticaria:-
Urtica Urines
Apis Melifiga
but i am still in a problem. since 2014 i have used different anti ellergic tabets and consults with dermatologist as wel as skin specialists but problem is there. when i go to bed for sleep the problem will start.
kindly guide me in this regard.
I have developed red itchy patches on several areas of my body -tiny red spots the size of goose pimples. Very itchy, feel the need to scratch but this makes it much worse. Seems worse at night and early morning. Exercise seems to relieve it for a short while. Can you help please? It is driving me mad!
Thanks
Hi Dr.
I’ve had chronic hives for 2 years, they pop up at all different times, all over my body including my lips and other soft tissue. I’ve been on oral steroids plus an allergy pill for a year now to curtail them but I’ve gained 100 pounds and can only go 1 day without the pills before the hives return. This happens no matter if I’m in New York or Detroit or New Orleans. No matter if I fast or what I eat. The cold nor heat are relevant. Can you please advise me on what homeopathic treatment may free me back to my previous wonderful life?
im farzaan and im 18 years old I have cholinergic urticaria plzzz help me what to do ? When I get nervous and go out in sun I get rash for 15-20 mins I’m getting anxious about this I’m not going college …. Plzz help get this thing rid of my body …
Sir ,
My daughter aged 27 yrs not married .She is suffering from urticaria since last one year.It goes of on taking ALLEGRA but reoccurs again on stopping medicine after some time. Her Immunoglobuline (Ige) test is +ve 122 ( adult ref range 100) but all food fish, chicken, milk & milk product vegetable generally used tested negative. she has no specific time of occurrence. sunlight, cold heat soap also is not specific.
Only thing which is evident is After eruption of hives it itches. No pain or stinging. only itching after eruption ( first eruption then itching)
Please Advise
Hi Dr,
I have been struggling for about 10 weeks now with what seems to be angioedema- exactly the same symptoms you kindly described above- and I can assert it has to do with cold weather and stress/anxiety; what are the best homeopathic remedies for it?
Thank you in advance.
P.S: I firmly believe in homeopathy.
Good evening Dr Sharma
I am having hives since 6 month and have been eating Cetrizine tablet once every day.
I really dont know what is the cause and what triggers it.
I have tried avoiding and changing my dietary habits, summer or winter it effects me everyday.
Anoop srivastava
Dec 20 2017
I am completing 42 yrs. I am suffering from Collenergic Urticaria. It is felt only in cold wheather condition/ season. It start on set of winter season and ends as winter ends. No problem in summer season. The problem is from 1990and continuing. I have consulted allopathic, Homeopathic doctors during the period but , no relief. The problem is described as under:
In winter, whenever my body experience heat by sun exposure, fire, exercise, heater, covering body with lihaf, runnig, cycling etc. My body gets stinging / bee biting feeling on all parts of body. Very small hives appears on the body . Immediately, sweating comes on body even in winder to give relief from urticaria. and the hives disappear within minutes when the effect of heat is removed or body exposed to coolness leaving no spot on the skin. This is cycle go on recreating. Again I am trying to explain, in winter we cover body with lihaf, after some time, the body will feel hot, urticaria will come in action, we remove lihalf to get relief. Being cold again body to be covered lihaf and again urticaria will come in action and lihaf have be removed. Such repeated action does not let sleep whole night. when exposed to sun heat urticaria in action then coming in shadow give full relief from urticaria, such reapeated actions. Pl advise suitable treatment.
Anoop srivastava
Dec 20 2017
I am completing 42 yrs. I am suffering from Collenergic Urticaria. It is felt only in cold wheather condition/ season. It start on set of winter season and ends as winter ends. No problem in summer season. The problem is from 1975 and continuing. I have consulted allopathic, Homeopathic doctors during the period but , no relief. The problem is described as under:
In winter, whenever my body experience heat by sun exposure, fire, exercise, heater, covering body with lihaf, runnig, cycling etc. My body gets stinging / bee biting feeling on all parts of body. Very small hives appears on the body . Immediately, sweating comes on body even in winder to give relief from urticaria. and the hives disappear within minutes when the effect of heat is removed or body exposed to coolness leaving no spot on the skin. This is cycle go on recreating. Again I am trying to explain, in winter we cover body with lihaf, after some time, the body will feel hot, urticaria will come in action, we remove lihalf to get relief. Being cold again body to be covered lihaf and again urticaria will come in action and lihaf have be removed. Such repeated action does not let sleep whole night. when exposed to sun heat urticaria in action then coming in shadow give full relief from urticaria, such reapeated actions. Pl advise suitable treatment.
Dear Dr Sharma, I am in India since 3 weeks and developed urticaria and allergy after mosquito bite and sweating. I took anti allergy pills but after 5 days it is starting again and worsening at night. Thrre is a big onflammation around the bite and it lasts for many days.what shall I take ? My homeopath in switzerland is now on a holiday and I dont enjoy my staying here because of itching and pain. I cannot use mosquito repellent since it is also eorsening the symptoms. Thank you for your advice sandra bertecco