Urticaria, or hives, is an itchy rash of raised welts (wheals) that come and go, each usually fading within 24 hours while new ones appear elsewhere. It is common and usually harmless, though very uncomfortable. Rarely, hives are part of a severe allergic reaction that needs emergency treatment. Ayurveda describes hives as Sheetapitta, Udarda and Kotha.
Hives happen when mast cells in the skin release histamine and other chemicals, making small blood vessels leak fluid into the skin. The result is pink or skin-coloured raised welts, from a few millimetres to large patches, that itch intensely and move around. About 1 in 5 people get hives at some point. Deeper swelling of the lips, eyelids, hands or genitals is called angioedema; it can occur with or without hives.
| Acute urticaria | Chronic urticaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Less than 6 weeks — often days | Most days for 6 weeks or more |
| Usual cause | Viral infections (especially in children), foods, medicines, insect stings | Usually no external trigger — often the immune system reacting against the skin's own mast cells |
| Allergy tests | Useful only if a specific trigger is suspected | Rarely helpful; basic blood tests may be done |
| Outlook | Clears once the trigger passes | Lasts months to years, but most people improve within 1–5 years |
People with chronic hives often search endlessly for a food cause; in most cases there isn't one, and strict diets don't help.
Classical texts describe Sheetapitta as itchy, wasp-sting-like swellings with burning, triggered especially by exposure to cold wind, where Kapha and Vata combine with Pitta. Udarda is a closely related, Kapha-dominant form, and Kotha a variant with red rashes. Incompatible foods, digestive weakness and worms are listed causes. Treatment includes cleansing (vamana or virechana in chronic cases), anti-allergic herbs, and external application of mustard oil or cooling pastes.
Herbal remedies are not a treatment for anaphylaxis or throat swelling. Some herbs themselves can trigger hives — stop any new product that coincides with a flare. Use licensed products from a qualified practitioner.
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Reviewed against NHS: Hives, NHS: Angioedema, NHS: Anaphylaxis, NCCIH: Ayurvedic Medicine, and Ministry of Ayush pharmacovigilance. These links support education and do not replace individual medical advice.