URTICA URENS OINTMENT- 25 GM

Urticaria or hives affects about 20% of people at some time during their lives. It is a mast cell mediated skin reaction which is characterised by pruritic pink-to-red papule and plaque typically with central pallor.

Types

1. Acute Spontaneous Urticaria - Spontaneous occurrence of wheals and/or angioedema for a duration of less than 6 weeks.
2. Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria - Spontaneous occurrence of wheals and/or angioedema for a duration of 6 weeks or more. This is also called Chronic Urticaria or Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria.
3. Chronic Inducible Urticaria - Occurrence of wheals for a duration of 6 weeks or more, which is inducible by physical factors. Also called Physical Urticaria.

Causes

Urticaria is manifested by exposure to certain triggers, which include: Pain medication, Insects or parasites, Infection, Scratching, Heat or cold exposure, Sunlight, Stress, Exercise, Alcohol or food, Pressure on skin as from a tight waistband, etc.

Symptoms

Urticaria presents with pruritic or itchy pink-to-red papules and plaques typically with central pallor. These can coalesce and vary in shape and size.

Pressure prone areas like waistline, axilla and groin are most commonly affected but Urticaria can occur on any part. Scratching can result in excoriations, erosions and hemorrhagic crusts.

Concurrent angioedema occurs in 40% cases and may present with subcutaneous and submucosal oedema affecting non-dependent areas like lips, peri-orbital region, genitals and extremities with discomfort or pain.

Diagnosis

Urticaria can be diagnosed clinically with simple blood tests like CBC with ESR.

Management

Management aims at treatment of the symptoms in an acute attack with the identification and avoidance of the trigger.

The rash can be temporary relieved with help of cold application, avoiding scratching, and wearing loose clothes.

Action of Ingredients

Urtica urens: This remedy is indicated in urticaria, dropsical effusions, burns, and scalds. It is useful in urticaria when the skin is elevated. There is a white central spot and a red areola; this is attended with stinging. Itching blotches. Erythema, with burning and stinging. Burns and scalds.

References:

1. Materia Medica by Boericke
2. Nature's Materia Medica by Robin Murphy, MD
3. A Manual Of Materia Medica, Therapeutics And Pharmacology By Blackwood, Alexander Leslie