Nettle rash (urticaria):

-C.Hering

As indicated by the name, this eruption looks like the patches or wheals caused by the stings of nettles. The elevations are generally of a red color, with white wheals on the surface. Sometimes, however, there is little or no redness, and the elevated parts are paler than the surface around them. The eruption is always attended by pricking and itching, especially when the patient gets warm in bed; and 9it is mostly preceded by nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, thirst, furred tongue, etc. In some instances, indeed, the skin is very hot and dry, and the pulse greatly accelerated.

This disease may originate from some particular article of diet; in some persons shell-fish invariably produce it; in others it is induced by bitter almonds, vinegar, salad, cucumbers, mushrooms, honey etc.

Aconitum, if the eruption is preceded by much fever, with hot, dry skin, thirst, furred tongue, hard and quick pulse, restlessness and anxiety.

Dulcamara, when excited by exposure to cold or damp, when occurring in wet weather, or when attended with some fever, bitter taste in the mouth, diarrhoea at night, foul tongue and violent itching and burning.

Pulsatilla, when the eruption has been produced by eating unwholesome food, and is attended by looseness of the bowels in the morning. This remedy is particularly suitable for females and persons of a mild temper. Rhus, when arising from some peculiarity of constitution, in which the attacks are excited by some particular article of food.

Bryonia, when the eruption has suddenly disappeared form the surface, and is followed by difficulty of breathing, pain in the breast, etc.

Belladonna should be given when the eruption is attended by violent headache and red face; the children cry much; the patches are yellowish-red, and rubbing eases the itching.

Apis, if the patches are bluish-red, or pale and transparent, with much swelling, itching, stinging and burning; rubbing cannot be borne at all, or if hard rubbing only gives relief; the children become angry easily.

Hepar, when attended by severe catarrhal symptoms, principally affecting the head, and worse on one side; if commencing on the arms and chest; worse in the open air; for persons of a violent, irritable temper.

Cepa, when accompanied by catarrh; if the eruption begins on the thighs; is better in the open air; for sleepy, fearful a nd anxious persons.

Nux vomica is indicated when the eruption is excited by indulgence in spirituous or malt liquors.

Arsenicum, if caused by eating unripe fruit, or in severe cases, worse at night, followed by a croup-like cough; also after the disease has been suddenly suppressed.

Calcarea, when the eruption always appears more after cold washing, or has been suddenly repelled. Spirits of camphor (a drop on sugar) will sometimes remove the disease, when it suddenly comes on after taking acid fruit or vinegar.

External applications of all kinds should be avoided in this as well as in other acute eruptive diseases, as their use is liable to cause a sudden disappearance of the eruption which may have serious or fatal consequences.

In the chronic forms of this disease, the remedies which have been found useful are, Calcarea, Lycopodium, Causticum, Sulphur and Carbo vegetabilis.