Urticaria (Sheetapitta)

An Ayurvedic Perspective and Management at Yogakshema Ayurveda Hospital

🩺 Introduction

Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is referred to as Sheetapitta in Ayurveda. It presents as sudden, raised, itchy welts on the skin that may appear and disappear rapidly. The condition can be acute or chronic and is often triggered by allergens, stress, or temperature changes.

At Yogakshema Ayurveda Hospital, we offer a comprehensive Ayurvedic approach that focuses on addressing the root causes, balancing the doshas, and detoxifying the system to provide sustainable relief from urticaria.

🌿 Ayurvedic Perspective

According to Ayurveda, Sheetapitta arises due to the simultaneous aggravation of:

  • 🔥 Pitta Dosha – Governs heat and inflammation

  • 🌬️ Vata Dosha – Responsible for quick onset and nervous system sensitivity

  • 🌫️ Kapha Dosha – Leads to congestion, itching, and swelling

🔸 Aggravated Pitta

  • Causes redness, burning, and intense itching

  • Increases skin reactivity to allergens

  • Disrupts blood circulation and heat regulation

💨 Aggravated Vata

  • Triggers sudden, migratory hives

  • Associated with nervousness, stress, or cold exposure

  • Enhances skin’s sensitivity to external stimuli

🌫️ Aggravated Kapha

  • Leads to swelling, heaviness, and sticky secretions

  • Causes blockage of skin channels and Ama accumulation

  • Contributes to lingering discomfort and persistent itching

🔬 Other Contributing Factors

  • Rakta Dhatu Dushti: Impaired blood tissue metabolism

  • Ama accumulation due to Agni Mandya (low digestive fire)

  • Manasika Karana: Emotional stress and anxiety exacerbate the condition

⚠️ Common Causes of Urticaria

  • Allergic reactions to foods, medications, insect stings, or latex

  • Viral or bacterial infections

  • Physical triggers: cold, heat, pressure, sun exposure, exercise

  • Emotional stress

  • Autoimmune responses

  • Certain drugs and preservatives

📋 Signs and Symptoms of Sheetapitta

  • Sudden raised, itchy welts or hives of varying size and shape

  • Redness and inflammation

  • Swelling (commonly around eyes, lips, or hands)

  • Intense itching, often worse at night

  • Hives may shift locations and disappear within hours

  • May be associated with angioedema – deeper swelling beneath the skin

🌱 Ayurvedic Approach to Management

🎯 Treatment Goals:

  • Balance Pitta, Vata, and Kapha doshas

  • Detoxify Rakta dhatu (blood tissue) and eliminate Ama

  • Strengthen Agni (digestive fire)

  • Calm the nervous system and reduce stress

  • Prevent recurrence by improving immune tolerance

🧘 Key Therapeutic Interventions

🌀 Panchakarma Therapies

  • Virechana (Therapeutic purgation): Clears Pitta and Ama from the GI tract

  • Raktamokshana (Bloodletting): In selected cases to purify blood

  • Abhyanga (Oil massage): Soothes the skin and calms the nerves

  • Lepana (Herbal paste application): For localized cooling and relief from itching

🌿 Herbal Medicines

  • Neem (Azadirachta indica): Detoxifies blood and relieves inflammation

  • Haridra (Turmeric): Natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory

  • Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia): Blood purifier and skin rejuvenator

  • Triphala: Enhances digestion and supports detox

  • Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia): Immunomodulator and anti-allergic

  • Chandana (Sandalwood): Cooling and soothing for the skin

  • Aloe vera (Kumari): Soothing and healing for inflamed skin

🥗 Dietary and Lifestyle Recommendations

✅ What to Follow:

  • Light, warm, and easily digestible meals

  • Include cooling herbs and hydrating foods like cucumber, coconut water, and bottle gourd

  • Drink plenty of water and herbal teas like fennel or coriander

❌ What to Avoid:

  • Pitta-aggravating foods: spicy, oily, fermented, and acidic items

  • Processed foods, preservatives, and allergens

  • Exposure to sudden temperature shifts

👚 Lifestyle Tips:

  • Avoid scratching – apply herbal cooling packs instead

  • Wear loose, breathable cotton clothing

  • Identify and avoid known allergens and triggers

  • Practice stress management through yoga and meditation

  • Get adequate sleep and rest

🧘‍♀️ Recommended Yogasanas and Pranayama

  • Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

  • Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep)

  • Tadasana (Mountain Pose)

  • Sheetali Pranayama (Cooling Breath)

  • Chandra Bhedana (Left Nostril Breathing)

These techniques help in calming the Pitta-Vata imbalance and improving the immune and nervous system response.

🏥 Personalized Care at Yogakshema Ayurveda Hospital

Our expert physicians at Yogakshema Ayurveda Hospital provide a tailored treatment plan after:

  • Dosha Analysis: To identify the core imbalance

  • Allergy Assessment: To identify individual triggers

  • Skin and Symptom Evaluation: To monitor progression and recurrence

The individualized treatment plan may include:

  • Customized Panchakarma therapies

  • Internal and external herbal treatments

  • Dietary and lifestyle modifications

  • Stress-reduction practices

✅ Benefits of the Ayurvedic Approach

  • Root-cause healing: Beyond symptom management

  • Natural and safe remedies: With minimal side effects

  • Reduced recurrence: By strengthening immunity and digestion

  • Soothing of hives and skin irritation

  • Improved overall quality of life

🌿 Yogakshema Ayurveda Hospital: Your Partner in Holistic Skin Care

We provide compassionate, personalized Ayurvedic treatment for urticaria in a peaceful healing environment. Our experienced physicians blend classical wisdom with modern understanding to help you achieve lasting relief and inner balance.