Red, red whine

Urticaria chapaki, also known as sheet pitt in Ayurveda, is an allergic skin disorder that is characterised by the appearance of raised rashes, redness and itching. It can happen anywhere on the skin including the scalp, lips, palms, soles and even genitals. Ayurveda believes that urticaria occurs in response to certain substances which are produced in the body as a result of metabolic disturbances. It may occur due to indigestion, overeating or because of eating food unsuitable for the body.

It also most often occurs due to the reaction of certain drugs which are unsuitable for the body system of a particular person. Exposure to extreme cold or heat, water, sunlight or insect bites may be the external factors responsible for the disease. Different patients show different symptoms. Before the actual eruptions on the skin, there may be a stage of poorva roopa symptoms like headache, malaise, nausea and fever.

In some cases, urticarial rashes appear soon after eating a food item to which the person may be allergic. First, there appear small, itchy and raised swellings on the body. They swell further and spread to produce pink or red lesions called weals8217;. They may change shapes, dissolve and reappear. Other symptoms such as a running nose, wheezing, paleness, cold sweat and falling blood pressure may accompany these rashes. Swelling of throat muscles along with a feeling of constriction or inability to breathe may cause medical emergency.

Mild to moderate cases can be tackled with consistent treatment while severe cases may need hospitalisation. Here are a few tips on how to manage and treat the disease: n If a person develops urticarial rashes, the body should be covered with a blanket. According to Ayurveda, in case of a minor attack, producing sweat helps a lot to control itching.

Don8217;t wear synthetic or tight clothes. n Don8217;t worry too much. Remember, anxiety is bad.

If rashes have appeared after eating a particular food item, take one teaspoonful of fresh mint juice to purify the digestive track and check allergy.

Twice-a-day dose of two gms of Trikatu sonth, kali mirch and pippali with sugar can be very beneficial. Sootshekhar Rasa and Sheetpitta Bhanji Rasa along with Haridra Khand can be given to patients of stubborn urticaria.