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Urticaria

What you need to know:

Obviously, if you’re with someone who gets a severe attack of this condition affecting their breathing, the only thing to do is call an ambulance immediately.

If you’re the parent or carer of someone known to have these allergies, it’s important to know that they have their medication with them at all times and know how to use it. In the case of children, their teachers need to know of their condition and be given specific instructions on what to do if the child does have an attack. Brothers, sisters and best friends need to know, too - they’re often the first to see when something is going wrong, and they can often be lifesavers.

In most cases, however, urticaria is just an irritating rash and there are natural remedies and preventative measures you can take to soothe the inflammation

The most useful Herbs:

  • Chamomile cream or borage juice as skin preparations
  • Tea made of two parts each of chamomile and agrimony and one part each of heartsease and Stinging nettles - this fights the action of histamine and improves resistance to allergens

Homoeopathy

The homeopathic remedies Urtica urens and Apis can bring relief and the properly diluted Aromatherapy oils lavender and Melissa will also soothe the skin. Ice packs can also relieve the pain - unless it’s caused by cold temperatures.

Other useful advice:

If the sun causes your skin rash, you need a diet rich in beta-carotene - which means all the bright orange, red and dark green fruits and vegetables.

In some cases aspirin and its derivatives - notably non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can trigger urticaria. It’s worth asking your doctor or pharmacist if you suddenly develop this condition after taking these pills. If your reaction is severe, it’s best also to avoid berries, dried and fresh fruit and some nuts and seeds, which contain natural aspirin. A naturopath will advise you on how to replace the essential nutrients in these foods.
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This information is licensed for use by Wellbeing Information Systems Ltd ("WIS"), and protected by international copyright law. All rights are reserved. (email info@wisinfo.co.uk).
The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.