Urticaria (Sheetapitta)-causes, symptoms and treatment

Urticaria(also called hives) are a red, raised, itchy skin rashes that may be triggered due to an allergic reaction. Due to the allergic reaction, the body releases a protein called histamine. When histamine is released, the tiny blood vessels known as capillaries in the body release fluid. The fluid accumulates in the skin and causes a rash. In Ayurveda, this is called as Sheetapitta. According to Ayurveda, aggravation of Kapha  and Vata  occurs when people come in contact with cold air. It also causes the aggravation of pitta dosha  which spread into the rakta dhatu (blood tissues). Rakta dhatu is vitiated due to excess of pitta. Then aggravated doshas relocate in the skin, which causes the Sheetapitta.

Causes of Urticaria (Sheetapitta) Excess intake of salty and pungent food



Exposure to cold wind

Day sleep Eating large amounts of sour gruels

Extreme intake of musturd Contact of cold substances



Improper emesis Altered features in rainy and winter season

Insect bite Contact of poisonous insects

Symptoms of Urticaria (Sheetapitta) rashes occur on face, arms, trunk and legs.



Headache, Red rashes, Itching, Congestion of eyes is also a symptom of Urticaria.

There is a condition called as angioedema which occurs in urticaria. Angioedema results in the burning or pain around the areas like eyes, cheeks, lips, hands, genitals and feet may occur in the cases of urticaria.

Treatment for Urticaria(Sheetapitta) in ayurveda- Treatment Modalities are planned as per acute or chronic stage and etiology.

Elimination of dosha & Purification of the body toxins with Panchkarma procedures & Ayurvedic medicines is essential to cure urticaria.

Abhyanga (massage), svedana (fomentation), vaman (induced vomiting) and virechen (induced lose motion) are very effective in treating Urticaria.

Medications like Haridrakhandam, Arogyavardhini, patolakaturohinyadi kashayam, and many more medications are used in sheetapitta.

Ayurvedic herbs like Haridra (Curcuma longa), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Shirish (Albezzia lebbock), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shirish (Albezzia lebbock), Vasa are herbs which works better on skin diseases