ABSTRACT-
Urticaria is a vascular reaction of skin marked by transient appearance of smooth ,slightly elevated papules or plaques (wheals) they aare erythematous and that are often attended by severe pruritis.Individual lesions resolve without scarring in several hours most cases of urticaria are self-limited and of short duration.From the prospective of certain journals,the goal was to determine the impact of homoeopathic management in urticaria.
KEYWORDS-Urticaria ,Homoeopathy,pruritus.
INTRODUCTION-
It is a common problem .It is estimated upto 20% of population.We are in twenty first century but the prevalence of urticaria is increasing day by day throughout the world.urticaria is on the rise all over the world .It was observe that many people were suffering from urticaria but they were not aware of the efficacy of homoeopathic system of medicine and were depending on other system of medicine like allopathy etc.So this is an attempt to ascertain the effectiveness of homoeopathic medicines in urticaria.
DEFINITION-
Urticaria is characterised by transient, itchy, ,elevated oedematous wheals or red papules.Pink, itchy or burning swelling (wheals)can occur anywhere in the body.Individual wheals do not last longer than 24 hours .
Urticaria is a skin problem triggered by reaction to food ,medicine,or allergic to any other thing.Urticaria leads to red ,itchy and swollen skin.
CAUSES OF URTICARIA-
1)Idiopathic.
2)Upper respiratory tract infection.
3)Helminthes
4)Food Reaction.(Shellfish ,nuts,fruit)
5)Drug Reaction.
6)IV administration.(blood products ,contrast agents).
7)Physical Factors like pressure, sunlight,vibration etc.
8)Cholinergic Urticaria is triggered by heat and emotion.
PATHOLOGY-
Mast cells is the major effector cell in urticaria.Urticaria results from the release of histamines ,bradykinin,kallikrein and other vasoactive substances from mast cells and basophils in superficial dermis,resulting in intradermal edema caused by capillary and venous vasodilation and occationally caused by leucocyte infiltration. Immunological contact urticaria is a type 1 hypersenstivity reaction mediated by IgE antibodies specific to the eliciting substance or antigen . Once the IgE antibody binds to the antigen ,vasoactive substances such as leukotrienes prostaglandins and histamine are released by mastocytes and basophils.Antigen binds to IgE on the mast cell surface causing degranulation ,which results in release of histamine.Histamine bind to H1 and H2 receptors to cause arteriolar dilatation ,venous constriction and increase permeability. Non immunological urticaria is not dependent on the binding of IgE receptors
TYPES OF URTICARIAACUTE
URTICARIA-
• Its symptom last less than 6 weeks. .
• Caused by insect bites,medication, infection.
• Usually affects toes, fingers , neck sometimes mens genitals.
CHRONIC URTICARIA-
• Its symptoms last more than 6 weeks.
• Causes are sometimes difficult to identify causes can be linked to immune system or diseases like thyroid ,cancer etc .
DERMATOGRAPHIC URTICARIA-
• Common form of physical urticaria .
• Caused by rubbing or scratching the skin .
PAPULAR URTICARIA-
• Common in 2-10 years childrens .
• It is allergic reaction to bites from insects like mosquitoes,mites. .
CHOLINERGIC URTICARIA-
• Caused by several reasons like anxiety, hot showers sweating .
• It is allergic reaction caused by increase in body temperature.
CLINICAL FEATURES-
• WHEALS.
• PAINFUL SWELLING(ANGIOEDEMA).
• PRURITUS.
COMPLICATIONS-
• Anaphylaxis(a life threatening ,whole body allergic reaction that causes breathing difficulty)
• Swelling in throat can lead to life threatening airway blockage .
EPIDEMOLOGY-
15-25% of population will experience an episode of urticaria in lifetime.
It affects mainly young adults predominantly female.
INVESTIGATION-
• Blood test,Screening test that are recommended are CBC,ESR,CRP..
• Autologous serum skin test(ASST).It is used as a screening test for chronic autoimmune
urticaria.It is a simple in-vivo clinical test.
• Gold standard diagnostic test is the basophill histamine release assay.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS-
• ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS .
• PITYRIASIS ROSEA
• HENOCH –SCHONLEIN PURPURA.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT
Homeopathic remedies are helpful in treating the case of Urticaria Basically constitutional remedy effects more and some are therapeutically based.
There are so many homoeopathic medicines which can be useful for treatment of urticaria. Few of them are-
• ARSENICUM ALBUMUrticaria
precipitated by by cold and in winter.Burning and itching followed by pain after scratching .complaints are wrose at mid night,cold weather ,cold food and drinks.complaints better by heat in general,hot application.
• URTICARIA URENSUrticaria
precipitated by shell fish.Urticaria disappear while lying down and reappears while getting up.Burning, stinging sensation with severe itching.Symptoms appear same time every year.complaints worse bycold bathing and touch.
• HEPAR SULPHChronic
and recurring urticaria .urticaria with stinging,burning sensation ,skin is sensitive to slight touch .complaints are worse by dry cold wind ,slightest draught and from touch.complaints are better by warmth abd wrapping up.
• RHUS TOXUrticaria
with burning and stinging sensation .complaints worse at night ,cold,wet rainy weather.complaints are better by dry weather and warm application..
• PULSATILLA NIGRICANSUrticaria
precipitated by fatty food .urticaria with burning sensation .complaints are worse from warm air or climate, evening.complaints are better bycold air , cold application.
• SULPHURMost
indicated remedy for urticaria .urticaria precipitated by over exertionand by sun heat.urticaria with severe itching leads to scratching and scratching is followed by burning.complaints are worse by warmth , washing,covering and at night. Complaints are better by uncovering and in open air .
• NUX VOMICAUrticaria
with gastric dearrangement.urticaria precipitated by food.complaints are worse in morning ,in dry cold weather, touch .complaints are better in damp wet weather and in evening.
• PSORINUMUrticaria
precipitated by change of weather ,exposure to cold and exertion.Urticaria with intolerable itching .complaints worse by change of weather ,cold.complaints better by warm clothing ,warm application..
• ANTIMONIUM CRUDUMUrticaria
precipitated by cold climate .Urticaria with severe itching and burning.complaints worse by cold bathingand at night.complaints better by warm bath ,during rest and in open air.
CONCLUSION –
Researches show that homoeopathic remedies have more benefits to the people suffering from Urticaria. Homoeopathy by addressing all aspects of the individual and there complete set of symptoms throw the constitutional and holistic approach ,is superior to all method of treatment.
Homoeopathic treatment is based on the constitutional approach targeting the route cause and restoring the deviated immunity back to normal,there by cured the diseases.
In other system of medicines the treatment of urticaria is mainly suppressive or palliative treatment rather than curative.
REFERENCES–
1) Harrison’s .Principle of Internal Medicine .20th Edition .USA:Mc Graw Hill Medical;2018.
2) Boericke W.New Manual Of Homoeopathic Materia Medica. New Delhi: B.Jain
Publishers(P)Ltd;2011.
3) Dubey S.K.,Text Book Of Materia Medica.1st Edition, New Delhi: Indian books and
periodical Publishers Pvt.Ltd;2003.
4) Kent JT,Lectures On Homoeopathic Materia Medica. New Delhi:B.Jain Publishers
Pvt.Ltd;2007.
About the Author-
Dr. Yasmeen khan, MD. Scholar, Pharmacy,
Guru Mishri Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital.
