Skin Allergies
Skin allergies include itchy hives (urticaria), allergic contact dermatitis and allergic reactions to food, medicines or plants. Chronic urticaria (hives that keep returning for more than six weeks) is often hard to control. If the rash is dry and inflamed rather than raised welts, and keeps coming back, see Eczema. Ayurveda describes urticaria as Sheetapitta or Udarda, involving Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Ayurvedic care suits people with recurring hives or skin allergies who want a personal plan alongside their doctor’s treatment.
Visit us in Sector 75, Noida
C8, 5th Floor (Medical Floor), C-Tower, Spectrum Mall, Phase 1, Sector 75, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301Assessment & Treatment
- Consultation to identify triggers (food, medicines, heat, cold, pressure, stress) and review your tests.
- Diet and lifestyle changes and trigger avoidance.
- Herbal medicines chosen for you.
- For chronic, difficult cases, Vamana (medicated therapeutic vomiting) or Virechana (medicated purging) after careful assessment. These are not suitable for everyone, including during pregnancy.
Precautions & When to See a Doctor
Call 112 for swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness or fainting: this can be anaphylaxis (a severe, whole-body allergic reaction). See a doctor for hives with fever, joint pain or bruising, hives that keep returning or last more than six weeks, or a reaction after a new medicine. Blistering, peeling skin, or sores in the mouth or eyes after a medicine needs urgent medical care. Do not stop antihistamines or other prescribed treatment without advice. Herbal medicines can interact with prescription drugs and are not suitable for everyone, including in pregnancy and with some liver or kidney conditions. Tell us about all medicines and supplements you take before starting herbs.
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What the Evidence Shows
The evidence for improvement is limited to two case reports, each describing one patient with chronic spontaneous urticaria who improved after Panchakarma treatment [1, 2]. Case reports can show what is possible but cannot prove effectiveness.
Importantly, Ayurvedic oils applied to the skin can cause allergies. A case report described allergic contact dermatitis and an immediate allergic reaction after aromatherapy massage with Ayurvedic oils [3]. Published reports of such reactions are few, but they do happen. We patch-test topical products and introduce new medicines carefully.
Prepared by the AyurSoul Healthcare team from the published research listed below. Medical review by Dr. Hemlata Soni, BAMS is in progress. This page is for education and does not replace individual medical advice. Medical disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can herbal medicines cause allergies?
Yes. Natural products can cause allergic reactions, which is why we introduce them carefully.
Can Ayurveda help chronic urticaria?
Some case reports describe improvement, but evidence is limited. We work alongside your doctor.
Should I get allergy tests?
Sometimes. Your doctor or dermatologist can advise.
Clinical Research
3 studies: 2 case reports, 1 narrative article.
Show the 3 studies
Numbers in the text refer to this list. Each study is labelled by type: systematic reviews and randomised trials are stronger evidence than pilot studies or single case reports.
- S KR, Panda AK, P B, et al.. Ayurveda panchakarma treatment success in a case of chronic spontaneous urticaria non-responding to conventional medicine-A case study. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 2022. Case report: low evidential weight PubMed
- Dharmarajan P, Dahiya A, Therokar S, et al.. Management of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Unresponsive to Conventional Treatment Through a Course of Panchakarma Therapies: A Case Report. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 2024. Case report: low evidential weight PubMed
- Lakshmi C. Allergic Contact Dermatitis (Type IV Hypersensitivity) and Type I Hypersensitivity Following Aromatherapy with Ayurvedic Oils (Dhanwantharam Thailam, Eladi Coconut Oil) Presenting as Generalized Erythema and Pruritus with Flexural Eczema. Indian journal of dermatology, 2014. Perspective / narrative article PubMed