Ayurveda Management of Chronic Urticaria (Sheetapitta)

Abstract

Hives are another name for urticaria. It is one of the allergic diseases of the skin that is characterised by itchy wheals that appear suddenly. It is a prevalent issue among children and frequently results in a lower quality of life and a substantial socioeconomic burden. It is comparable to Sheetapitta in Ayurveda in that both conditions cause skin rashes and itching. Aim: management of urticarial rash through Shodhana therapy. Method: In the present case, an 21year-old male adult came to our OPD with complaints of recurrent itchy rashes all over the body for 8–9 months on and off associated with disturbed sleep during the night due to itching, for which allopathic treatment was taken. Temporary relief was found, but on stopping the medicine, the reappearance of rashes was present. In light of the pitta predominance and chronicity in the current case of Sheetapitta, the case was interpreted using Doshik concepts, and an Ayurvedic treatment plan, including Shodhana in the form of Virechana, was implemented. Following Shodhana, the patient experienced complete remission, and the case was monitored for the following six months to determine whether it recurred, but no recurrence discovered.

Introduction

Urticaria (hives) is a common skin disorder affecting 15–25% of people during their lifetime and is characterized by wheals (raised itchy rashes) and/or angioedema (swelling). It is classified as acute urticaria (lasting less than 6 weeks) and chronic urticaria (CU) (lasting more than 6 weeks). Chronic urticaria is further divided into chronic spontaneous/idiopathic urticaria and chronic inducible urticaria, with 80–90% of cases being idiopathic. Common triggers include food intolerance, medications, stress, physical stimuli, and environmental factors. Conventional treatment involves antihistamines and corticosteroids.

In Ayurveda, urticaria is correlated with Sheetapitta, a condition caused by disturbances of Vata, Kapha, and Pitta doshas, often triggered by allergens, cold exposure, and improper diet and lifestyle. Symptoms include redness, swelling, itching, and burning sensations.

This case study describes a 21-year-old male suffering from recurrent urticaria for 6–8 months, with severe itching, sleep disturbances, and occasional angioedema. Previous dermatological treatments provided only temporary relief, and symptoms worsened with exposure to cold and dust.

The patient underwent an Ayurvedic treatment protocol consisting of:

• Agnitundi Vati for Deepana-Pachana (improving digestion and reducing toxins),
• Mahatiktaka Ghrita for internal oleation,
• Abhyanga (oil massage),
• Nadisweda (steam therapy),
• Virechana (therapeutic purgation) using Trivrith Lehyam.

Treatment outcomes were assessed using the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS) and itching severity scale. After completing therapy and following post-treatment dietary guidelines, the patient experienced complete relief from wheals and itching for one month, along with improved appetite and weight gain.

Conclusion

Urticaria and other allergic skin conditions can be effectively treated in modern science, but even with medication, recurrence of the condition is frequent. Sanshamana Aushadha, Virechana as Shodhana therapy, and Ayurvedic management all appear to be highly successful. By using different Ayurvedic formulations and adhering to Pathya-Apathya in a methodical way, Ayurveda has a lot of potential in treating allergic skin reactions. The current study\'s results suggest that the addition of Virechana Karma prior to the administration of Samshamana Aushadha improves the likelihood that urticaria will be cured.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Dr. Vishal Kumar. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.