Hives, also called urticaria, are a skin reaction that causes itchy welts. Chronic hives are welts that last for more than six weeks and often return over months or years. Usually, the cause of chronic hives isn”t clear. The welts frequently start as itchy patches, then become swollen and vary in size. These welts appear and […]
Homeopathic approach to chronic urticaria reducing flares and drug dependence Rx
A 42 year old woman with long standing chronic urticaria suffered daily itchy burning hives with dermatographism and dependence on multiple antihistamines. At Life Force, detailed evaluation, investigations, diet guidance and individualized homeopathic medicines were initiated. Follow ups showed steady reduction in frequency, intensity and duration, complete withdrawal of conventional drugs, long symptom free periods and only rare food triggered relapse, reflecting holistic long term management.
Table of Contents
- 01. Etiology:-
- 02. Symptoms of chronic hives include:
- 03. Investigations
- 04. CASE STUDY:
- 05. Drug Dependency
- 06. She was on:
- 07. Investigation:
- 08. Follow-ups:-
- 09. First follow-up:
- 10. Second follow-up:
- 11. Third follow-up:
- 12. Fourth follow-up:
- 13. Fifth follow-up:
- 14. Last follow-up:
- 15. Conclusion:
Hives, also called urticaria, are a skin reaction that causes itchy welts. Chronic hives are welts that last for more than six weeks and often return over months or years. Usually, the cause of chronic hives isn''t clear. The welts frequently start as itchy patches, then become swollen and vary in size. These welts appear and fade at random as the reaction runs its course. Each welt typically lasts less than 24 hours. Chronic hives can be very uncomfortable and interfere with sleep and daily activities. For many people, anti-itch medicines, called antihistamines, provide relief.
Etiology:-
1. Drugs: Penicillin and Other Antibiotics, Aspirin, NSAIDs, Codeine, Morphine, Quinine.
b. Food additives: Tartrazine, Hydroxybenzoates, Sulphites, Salicylates
c. Foods: Milk and Milk Products, Eggs, Nuts, Chocolates, Tomato, Pork, Yeast, Strawberries, Shellfish.
d.Inhalants: grass pollens, mold spores, animal danders, and house dust.
e. Systemic Disorders: SLE, Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders.
f. Infections
g. Psychogenic
h. Physical: Friction, Pressure, Cold, Vibration, Sweating, Sun Exposure.
i. Idiopathic: Chronic spontaneous urticaria.
Symptoms of chronic hives include:
- Batches of welts, called weals, can arise anywhere on the body.
- Welts that might be red, purple, or skin-colored, depending on your skin color.
- Welts that vary in size, change shape, and appear and fade repeatedly.
- Itchiness, also called pruritus, which can be intense.
- Painful swelling, called angioedema, around the eyes, cheeks, or lips.
- Flares are triggered by heat, exercise, or stress.
- Symptoms that persist for more than six weeks and recur often and anytime, sometimes for months or years.
Investigations
Establishing the cause of urticaria is difficult. In about 70% of cases, no clear-cut reason can be detected. The following may be appropriate:
? Full blood count.
? Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
? Urea and Electrolytes, Thyroid and LFT, Iron Studies.
? Total IgE and Specific IgE to Possible Allergens.
? Antinuclear Factor.
CASE STUDY:
In January 2024, a 42-year-old woman with urticaria (Patient ID: 53567) started treatment at Life Force Homeopathy Pimpri. She has been experiencing this condition since July 2021. Hives with red blotches and intense burning and itching over the body, particularly on both hands, legs, belly, the back, the breast, the face, and the scalp, were the presenting symptoms. Attacks occurred two to three times a day, with moderate to severe hives that persisted for an hour or longer and were treated with standard conventional medications. Dermatographism was positive. Throughout the attack, she had intense itching on both hands, both legs, her chest, back, and scalp, along with a burning feeling in the affected area.
Drug Dependency
She was on:
Tab.Dazit 05 mg OD (Desloratadine (5mg) Since 2021
Tab.Practin 04 mg OD (Cyproheptadine (4mg) Since 2021
Tab.Teczine 05 mg OD (Levocetirizine (5mg) Since 2021
There was no family history of autoimmune disease.
Investigation:
Serum IgE done on dated, 23.11.2023 reveals:
Total IgE = 55 U/ML (0-100)
Her case was studied in detail, and as per the case needs of Dr. Rajesh Shah, prior investigations were taken into consideration. Some other investigations suggested and prescribed medicines specific to her, and her diet was also discussed and shared.
Follow-ups:-
First follow-up:
After the first prescription, the follow-up taken on 09-03-2024 showed 25-30% overall relief. The frequency was reduced to 2-3 times/week, and the duration lasted only 15-20 mins. Itching and heat sensation have also been drastically reduced compared to before. The conventional medicine that she was taking was not taken after the first prescription. The patient was feeling happy about the progress.
Second follow-up:
The follow-up was conducted on 25-04-2024, with 30-40% relief in ailments; intensity and frequency were further reduced.
Third follow-up:
On 08/06/2024, there was 40-50% relief in all respects: the intensity, frequency, and duration of urticaria were further reduced, with no dependence on any conventional medicines. Itching with a heat sensation was absent.
Fourth follow-up:
In August 2024, the follow-up was done on 20/08/2024, and there was 50% relief by all means. She has not experienced any attacks in the last two months.
Fifth follow-up:
In October 2024, the patient was stable, with no urticaria since March 2024, and not on any conventional medications.
Last follow-up:
In November 2024, there was an episode of urticaria after March 2024, almost 11 months after having tamarind, so she took T. Allegra 180 mg (Fexofenadine 180 mg) SOS. However, after this, the patient remained stable; no episodes of urticaria were present.
Conclusion:
Urticaria can be effectively treated using homeopathy. Skin conditions are not seen as local disorders under the holistic perspective of the homeopathic medical system. Both generals and particulars are taken into consideration when treating urticaria, as well as the severity of the condition and the duration. Many stalwarts have guided the homeopathic treatment of urticaria. Individualized homeopathic medicines (Similimum) give significant results in urticaria.
