Urticaria - Hives

Hives Diagnosis:

Anaphylaxic response limited to the skin and subcutaneous tissues which characteristically appears and then disappears quickly.

Urticaria can be either acute or chronic but in both cases when the rash disappears there is no scarring or any trace of it. Urticaria patients will usually represent themselves as non-round patches which are found locally or throughout the whole body and commonly appear or are aggravated at night or when fatigued. Severe itching, burning or a stabbing pain can be a concomitant symptom with urticaria. If the eruptions are apparent within the body the patient will experience shortness of breath, palpitations, nauseous, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain. A "skin scratch test" can be performed by scraping a nail along the effected area and if the area rises and becomes red it tests as positive.

Chinese Medicine Differentiation and Treatment:

INTERNAL

Wind Cold - pale eruptions aggravated by cold and wind, ameliorated by heat (winter / spring)

Herbal Formula: Gui Zhi Tang (harmonizes ying and wei levels and expels wind cold), Ma Huang Gui Zhi Ge Ban Tang

Wind Heat - red eruptions aggravated by heat (summer / fall)

Herbal Formula: Xiao Feng San + Ji Li, Lian Qiao

Stomach and Intestinal Heat - eruptions with abdominal pain, diarrhea/constipation, vomit, …

Herbal Formula: Fang Feng Tong Shen San (treats both interior and exterior) + Wu Mei Wan

*commonly intestinal parasites found with this condition

Disharmony of Chong and Ren Meridians - dysmenorrhea, irregular menses, woman disorder

Herbal Formula: Er Xian Tang + Si Wu Tang Er Ju Wan + Tu Si Zi, Gou Qi Zi Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San - liver Qi stagnation

EXTERNAL

Bai Bu Tang (wash), sandal wood bath (chronic) Acupuncture may aggravate - caution should be used!