Urticaria is also know as nettlerash or hives. It is more common in people with sensitive skin where exposure to heat, cold or sunlight may cause raised ‘weals’ (red swollen marks on the skin). Conventional treatment is by antihistamines.
Urticaria is usually the result of an allergic reaction. Erupts into itchy, raised, angry red weals, caused by the body releasing histamine in reaction to the allergen. The itching and swelling is not usually serious and lasts for a day or two.
There are many food that some children can be allergic to which might trigger urticaria. Strawberries, shellfish, nuts, potatoes, dairy products and many other food additives can all be culprits. Other triggers can be insect bites, medications – especially certain antibiotics and aspirin – exposure to certain chemicals, certain plants, pollens and moulds.
Sometimes stress can be responsible for a more chronic tendency to urticaria and certainly stress and tension make it worse. Extreme stress such as grief at the death of a loved one can bring on urticaria.
In his book ‘The Practical Handbook of Homeopathy’ Colin Griffith writes: Anyone who is suffering chronically from allergies should seek professional help from a homeopath. This is even truer of multiple allergies. There is always a considerable amount of treatment not least because the origin of allergies…lies in heredity. Skilled prescribing is necessary to effect relief.
Some self help measures:
- Apply a cold flannel or an icepack to the affected area can help relieve itching and swelling.
- Homeopathic Urtica ointment or Urtica mother tincture (made from nettles) in a bath or compress. If you don’t have this or any other remedy for hives you can get the patient to sit in a warm bath filled with nettles or nettle roots.
When to seek help
- tIf the mouth, tongue or throat become swollen as this may affect breathing. Get medical help immediately and give Apis every few minutes until help arrives.
- If there is any difficulty breathing.
Colin Griffith says that for extreme allergic reactions: “use Apis 10M. This covers heat, puffy swelling, drowsiness with difficult or suffocative breathing, restlessness and extreme irritability when disturbed. Give as you prepare to take the patient to hospital. If the reactions are similar to this description but not so severe that the patient needs to be monitored by the hospital then use a lower potency such as the 200c”
Homeopathic remedies
Apis
Apis is made from a honeybee including it’s sting. It is the remedy that most fits the picture of swollen, red weals. The greater the swelling the more Apis is indicated. The itching will be relieved by cool applications and be worse for heat. There may be swelling under the eyes or of the lips. Hives with fever and sweating. Worse at night, from touch, pressure after sleep or from lying down. Restless and irritability due to the physical discomfort. Use Apis if there are no clear indications.
Aconite
Might be useful when an allergic reaction comes on very suddenly with great restless due to anxiety and fright.
Urtica Urens
Urtica Urens is made from stinging nettles and is indicated when the rash looks as if the child has been stung by nettles. The rash will not be as swollen as Apis and will itch, ‘bite’ and burn a great deal. Worse at night, worse from bathing and exercise. Better from rubbing. Hives during a fever. Hives from an insect bite or stinging nettles.
Rhus Tox
Rhus Tox is made from poison ivy. Hives caused by getting chilled or wet or being in cold air. Burning, itching and stinging. Use this remedy if the rash develops into little water-filled blisters that are better from warm applications or bathing. Worse for cold and after scratching. Hives with joint pain. The person may be very restless.
Dulcamara
Hives caused by getting overheated in cold and wet weather. A lumpy rash which is worse for heat (e.g. after exercise) and after scratching which makes the rash burn.
Nat Mur
Chronic urticaria made worse by exercise and stress. Skin dry, itchy and burning. Patient generally withdrawn and very often thirsty. Worse from consolation and company. Hives caused by exposure to the sun. Deep crack in the middle of the lower lip.
Sulphur
Skin red, itchy and puffy, made worse by heat and bathing with water. Patient hot, tired and thirsty. May crave fresh air. Bodily discharges smell foul and irritate the skin. Sudden diarrhoea in the morning. Craves sweets.
Pulsatilla
Rash made worse by fatty foods or stuffy rooms. Skin becomes generally pale and the hives are widespread. Person rather weepy.
Antimonium Crud
Weals accompanied by stomach upset and white-coated tongue. Aversion to being looked at or touched. Craves pickles and acidic foods. Constant belching and bleaching after eating.
Arsenicum
Urticaria with restless and anxiety. The patient exhausted and is thirsty for small sips of water. Burning pain which is oddly better from heat. Worse after midnight.
Astacus Fluviatilis
Hives from shellfish. There is a general nettle rash all over the body. The glands may swell and the patient might feel bilious.
Mezereum
Intense itching. Very chilly and worse for warmth. Cilliness follows eruption. Coldness or numbness after scratching. Anxiety in the stomach and when alone. Craves bacon, fat and ham.
Histaminum
If other remedies fail or if symptoms are not clear.
Tissue Salts
Alternating Nat-mur and Calc Phos supports Apis, Pulsatilla, Sulphur and Arsen-Alb in this condition. One of each daily.