Many cases of urticaria have an allergic cause, where the immune system mistakenly identifies a foreign substance -an allergen -and histamine is released as part of an immune reaction. The widening of blood vessels caused by this immune reaction produces hives. Allergens include:

Food: Some patient’s immune systems overreact to some types of food to produce allergic reactions that result in the manifestation of hives. The most common food allergens include:

• Shellfish (for example, shrimp, lobster, crab)
• Nuts (especially peanuts, almonds, walnuts)
• Eggs and milk: These happen to be the most common culprits, particularly among children

Medications: Many both prescription and over-the-counter medications can induce urticaria. Some of the more common culprits include:

• Antibiotics for example, penicillin or sulfa drugs.
• Aspirin and NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), including ibuprofen and naproxen, which might spur histamine release.

Other drugs: Though rather idiosyncratic in nature, there are other drugs that will lead to an allergic reaction in the form of hives. The drugs include:

• Anticonvulsants
• Certain drugs for hypertension

Insect Stings or Bites: Insect venom from stings or bites might cause an allergic reaction, which would involve the release of histamine that leads to urticaria. Common causative insects through stings or bites are:

• Bees
• Wasps
• Ants
• Mosquitoes
• Other biting insects, such as fleas and bed bugs.

Temporary changes in temperature, especially those of extreme cold or extreme heat, may also trigger one of the common types of urticaria. These physical types of hives are the manifestations of reactions in response to environmental changes, leading to histamine release in the skin:

Exposure to Cold

• This type is called cold-induced urticaria. It is when the individual's skin comes in contact with cold weather, or swims in very cold water, or touches a cold object. Sudden exposure to cold causes an allergic reaction in the skin, producing hives within minutes. In some instances, cold urticaria can even trigger a more severe response by causing swelling at the throat or difficulty in breathing if the reaction spreads.

Heat Exposure

• This is one type of physical urticaria. It results from an increased body temperature such as physical exertion, hot showers, or stress. Sweating increases when the body heats up by exercise, weather conditions, or stress and this may provoke release of histamine in the skin and thus cause the formation of welts. These welts tend to appear as small red bumps or swelling in patches.

Viral and bacterial infections can also be urticaria-inducing triggers in that the inflammation response by the body's immune system is exaggerated, which might lead to a reaction involving the release of histamine and, subsequently, hives:

Common viral infections

• Such as the cold and flu and hepatitis, can cause urticaria. Virus infections trigger a response from the body, causing the release of histamine that leads to itchy rashes. While many people will experience a mild or even severe instance of hives caused by viral infections, it may also be more prevalent in some individuals and should be treated by a physician.

Bacterial Infections:

• Some bacterial infections may also trigger the release of histamine by the immune system. For instance, strep throat, which is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus, and urinary tract infections (UTIs) can sometimes cause urticaria. Since infections by bacteria are often the causes of inflammation, the permeability of blood vessels may increase, leading to swelling and the presence of hives.

Some food-borne chemicals and drugs stimulate urticaria by either triggering the immune system or through a direct action on the release of histamine. In some cases, certain food and drug substances can be irritants or even allergens that may cause an adverse reaction on the skin.

Histamine-Rich Foods: There exist certain foods with natural high levels of histamine that can cause urticaria in sensitive people. These include:

• Aged Cheeses (such as cheddar, gouda, and parmesan)
• Processed meats (such as salami, pepperoni, and sausages)
• Fermented foods (such as sauerkraut, soy sauce, and alcoholic beverages like wine and beer)
• Canned or preserved foods, which may contain histamine from the preservation process.

Emotional or psychological stress has been one of the most important causes of urticaria especially in patients who tend to get hives. Stress-induced urticaria involves stress, either emotional or physical, that forces the body to release histamine, leading to an overreaction on the part of the immune system when it perceives a source of stress and places hives. This condition is less predictable because it does not necessarily have pinpoint causes of allergens or other physical causes, thus being very hard to control. Stresses can precipitate from various causes, such as workplace pressure, emotional distress, or even major life events, and might otherwise make an already present chronic urticaria worse. Stress management may sometimes require employing a set of relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to reduce the frequency and severity of stress-induced hives.

Urticaria is a very common skin condition; it is termed as hives. This is characterized by raised, red welts on the skin that may sometimes have a burning or stinging sensation. In some aspects, they vary in terms of size and shape. The overall classification of urticaria can be mainly categorized under two types, namely acute urticaria and chronic urticaria.

Acute Urticaria:

Holistic treatment at Valeda has lots of advantages compared with conventional dermatological or purely homeopathic treatments.

Holistic care takes care of the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — not just focusing on the skin problems. This approach understands that the body is an integrated system, which if affected at one point, the rest of the system will be impacted. In dermatology, there is often a tendency to treat only the manifestations on the surface of the skin related to psoriasis, without considering potential deeper internal causes such as hormonal imbalances, stress, or immune system problems that may be related to this condition. Such treatments may even focus more on internal remedies but fail to produce substantial effects on the external manifestations.

Holistic treatment offered to Valeda was beyond merely skin care, beginning with both the external and internal aspects of the disease, namely stress, diet, digestion, and the immune response. Valeda provides treatment through the amalgamation of detoxification procedures and processes, relaxation therapies, and constitutional homeopathic medicines to erase the symptoms and roots of the disease.

Lifestyle changes including diet and yoga are incorporated in the treatment to help enhance the overall health and wellness of the patient.

Overall, holistic treatments at Valeda ensure long-term wellness, providing patients with a well-balanced life without the recurrence of symptoms.

The duration of treatment in Valeda depends on the type of condition a patient has, along with the causes that a doctor can establish during consultation. Psoriasis is an ever-present, chronic disease that can be managed, but it requires time to attain sustained relief. The duration of treatment usually ranges from 3-6 months. However, most patients can see visible improvements within that duration.

It tends to flare up during the winter, and Valeda advises a follow-up period of observation at least through three seasons before discontinuing medication because, by this time, one can evaluate the body's response to treatment throughout the seasons. Psoriasis usually reacts with changes in weather, stress levels, and diet.

Treatment should, therefore, be followed up until the last lesion has disappeared to avoid relapse as stopping early will result in recurrence. Valeda's holistic approach greatly reduces recurrence chances by seeking to redress internal imbalances and stress factors.

The mark of success is consistency, and once the lesions have healed, it should be checked on what general health and stress management can do to maintain the progression. Most of the patients receive long-term relief with no relapse after the treatment plan is completed.

After proper psoriasis control, post-treatment care is very important to ensure retention of results and a balanced immune system. After recovery from an autoimmune condition such as psoriasis, steps should be undertaken that boost immunity and maintain overall wellness. Lifestyle recommendations include proper nutrition, managing stress, and continuation with holistic practices such as yoga and detoxification.

Patience and care given at Valeda include immunity-boosting steps told to be followed by the doctor. These steps may be dietary changes, adopting relaxation techniques, and possibly some form of homeopathic or natural remedy to maintain a healthy immune system. Regular follow-ups also serve to monitor the entire health and make any necessary adjustments in the post-treatment care plan.

All holistic treatments at Valeda are set to be safe and natural with minimal side effects. Some diet recommendations go along with treatment, and patients are advised to reduce or avoid consuming some foods to aid their body's healing process. Some foods to avoid include foods which have the characteristics of fats, carbohydrates, chocolates, and nuts. Iodides and bromides should also be avoided. These are commonly found in foods like dairy products, potatoes, bakery items, and soft drinks.

Its focus is on an equal, anti-inflammatory diet rich in vegetables, fresh fruits, and proteins that promote healing in the body. Dietary restrictions are aimed at excluding foods that may trigger inflammation or exacerbate psoriasis symptoms.

As with any treatment plan, there can be a few days of settling in on the part of the body to adjust to its new routine. Any side effects that do occur are mild and transient, as the holistic approach seeks to work with natural processes by which the body heals.

No, it is not infectious. This is a chronic, non-infectious inflammatory skin condition. Psoriasis is caused when skin cells mature too quickly, resulting in the formation of well-demarcated erythematous plaques covered with silvery-white scales. Ordinarily, it takes skin cells 28 to 30 days to mature. In psoriasis, however, this maturation process accelerates to as little as 3 to 6 days, thus causing the accumulation of skin cells.

Psoriasis can affect individuals at any age, but it most commonly appears between 15 and 39 years. The exact causes are not entirely understood, but there are several factors that may contribute to the development of psoriasis, including:

Genetic predisposition (it can run in families)

Stress and emotional trauma

Physical injury to the skin (which can trigger new lesions)

Digestive issues related to a person’s genetic constitution

Infections, particularly streptococcal infections

Drug allergies

Psoriasis also worsens conditions caused by the presence of cold weather, poor diet, and stress. The condition can be best managed externally and internally, but flare-ups are inevitable in such cases.

For home care of psoriasis, one's aim should be to minimise excessive scaling. Valeda suggests using Valeda Aloe Vera Morning Moisturizing Cream that has been found effective for temporary relief of psoriasis symptoms. The cream soothes and moisturizes the skin, easing discomfort caused by dryness and flaking.

It should be balanced and healthy, as this would also define how the skin is going to be. Avoid much sugar, and include as many vegetables and fresh fruits as you can in your diet. Also, avoid much spicy, salty, and oily food that may be a source of inflammation and may prolong your healing process.

Treatment cost will depend on the procedures recommended by the doctor taking the consultation. Recommended procedures depend on the nature of the problem and certain individual factors. Cost of some of the treatments & procedures for reference is mentioned in the following table: