AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH IN THE MANAGEMENT OF URTICARIA (SHEETPITTA): A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Purpose: Urticaria is a vascular reaction of the skin characterised by sudden, short-lived itchy wheals which may be pale or pink in the centre, surrounded by red flare. Urticaria is a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction which is caused be-cause of exposure to allergence. Epidemologically urticaria is increasing now days due to industrialization, pol-lution, increased use of various skin products, changes in lifestyle. Sign and symptoms of urticaria resembles with ‘Sheetpitta’ one of the vyadhi described by our acharyas caused by ‘Asatmya ahara and vihara’ results in vitiation of kapha and vata.our ancient acharyas has mentioned shamna and shodhana kriya as well as various Classical formulations for sheetpitta. Ayurvedic managemrent helps to cure urticaria by restoring equilibrium of tridosha and sapta dhatus, restores healthy skin. The present paper intends to highlight the ayurvedic manage-ment in reducing sign-symptoms and recurrence of the disease. Method: The present case study is on 28yr old male who is having complaint of on and off eruption of reddish, smooth slightly elevated wheals on trunk and upper extrimities associated with localized itching and burning sensation. He was clinically diagnosed as sheetpitta or urticaria.The patient was treated with Panchakarma chikitsa includ-ing vaman karma followed by virechan karma and some Ayurvediac shaman drugs. The patient was also advised some lifestyle and dietary adoptions. Results: The follow up was done for three months during which the patient had only one episode of rashes and itching. The patient got moderate relief in all the symptoms with appreciable changes. Conclusion: Urticaria can be successfully treated with an ayurvedic line of treatment and changes in daily lifestyle habits and diet.