Hives (Medically known as Urticaria) are red, itchy, raised area of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes, each one characteristically lasts no longer than 6 to 12 hours. It is a vascular reaction of the skin marked by transient appearance of smooth, slightly elevated patches (wheals) that are errythematous and that are often limited to one part of the body or spread across large areas of the body. It is estimated that 20% of all people will develop urticaria at some point in their life. It is more common in women than in men.

It is produced when histamine and other compounds are released from cells called mast cells which are normally found in skin. Histamine causes fluid to leak from the local blood vessels leading to swelling of the skin. Some are caused by allergies to food, medications and insect stings.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY:

The skin lesions of urticarial disease are caused by an inflammatory reaction in skin causing leakage of capillaries and resulting in edema which persists until the interstitial fluid is absorbed into the surrounding cells. It is caused by the release of histamine and other mediators of inflammation from cells in skin. This can be a result of an allergic or non-allergic reaction.

CAUSE OF URTICARIA.

When any triggering factors cause high levels of histamine and other chemical messengers to be released in the skin, this is caused. These substances cause blood vessels in the affected area of skin to open up and become leaky. This causes swelling and itching.

REASONS FOR RELEASE OF HISTAMINES:

Allergic reaction to certain allergens like:

• Exposure to cold or heat.
• Infection.
• Direct effect of certain chemicals.

ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA:

It is manifested as a result of either one or all the doshas (vata, pitta, Kapha) due to taking cold water beverages, after taking exercises or exposing the body to cold when it is hot, infestation with some parasites, emotional excitement etc. It is the aggravation of vata and kapha which in turn vitiates pitta dosha and cause urticaria. In Ayurveda it is called as Sheetha Pitta.

TREATMENT:

The treatment of Urticaria is mainly concentrated on the identification of root cause and treating it. Healing Earth Multispeciality Ayurveda Hospital is specialized in treating this kind of allergic conditions without any side effects.