32-Year-Old Female Patient Recovered from Chronic Urticaria and Leaky Gut Syndrome – A Case Study

Urticaria, known as Hives, are raised welts on the skin, pink or red in color, that make you uncomfortable with itching. If you have hives that don’t fade away permanently within 6 weeks, then you are suffering from Chronic Urticaria.

You take medicine and get a temporary relief, but its reappearance is the biggest annoyance. This recurrence creates hopelessness as you don’t see any permanent solution.

That’s exactly what happened with a 32-year-old woman from the USA, who suffered from Chronic Urticaria throughout her life. When she started ayurvedic treatment under Dr. Sahil Gupta of IAFA Ayurveda, they found the root cause of her chronic condition was linked to her leaky gut.

She religiously followed the ayurvedic treatment, her Chronic Urticaria went away, and her health improved drastically.

Patient Background & History

Patient Age: 32 years

Gender: Female

Location: USA

Date of First Consultation with IAFA Ayurveda: March 2022

Medical History & Background

She reported recurrent urticarial rashes since December 2021, initially assumed to be a temporary allergic reaction after eating white fish for the first time.

She was suffering from recurring redness with itching, which used to intensify under specific conditions –

• Pressure points (clothing)
• Climatic transitions (hot-to-cold or cold-to-hot) 
• Specific dietary triggers.

Along with that, she was also having digestive issues like mushy stools, occasional constipation, and abdominal discomfort. 

Other symptoms that annoyed her were –

• Hair thinning
• Jawline acne
• Low energy levels
• Stress and insomnia 

Previous Medication & Response

She was taking Fexofenadine (Tab. Allegra 180 mg), an antiallergic medicine, primarily used in allergies, which provided immediate relief but couldn’t prevent recurrence.

The reason why conventional medicine failed as it couldn’t work on the root cause. 

After detailed evaluation at IAFA Ayurveda, the patient was diagnosed with Chronic Urticaria associated with Leaky Gut.

What is Urticaria with Leaky Gut Condition 

Hives are basically rashes that appear on your skin due to an allergic reaction. When you have an allergic reaction, your body releases histamines into your blood. 

Histamines are chemicals that your body produces to defend against infection or any outside intrusion. This defence mechanism creates swelling, rashes, or itching when you come in contact with an allergen. 

Hives because of external intrusion are temporary, but internal infection or toxicity can cause a chronic condition, which is difficult to diagnose and cure.

What happens when your body can’t release toxins from the bloodstream, which activates the same defence mechanism and causes hives.

Leaky gut is a condition where the intestinal lining becomes permeable(or penetrable), allowing toxins to pass through, which can trigger the immune system (a defence mechanism of the body), leading to skin issues like Urticaria. 

In leaky gut, undigested proteins and toxins enter your bloodstream, causing inflammation and allergic responses like hives or rashes.

Food Intolerance and Leaky Gut as Emerging Triggers

1) Causes & Triggers of Urticaria

Your gut plays a major role in chronic urticaria. A leaky gut can also trigger the problem. 

The major reasons for leaky gut can be poor digestion, food intolerance, and a weakened gut lining. Leaky gut can silently activate immune reactions such as stubborn rashes and hives.

Food intolerance doesn’t happen overnight, unlike common allergies. It could be Gluten, dairy, seafood, or even processed foods that can gradually disturb your digestion, hurting the intestinal lining, and trigger Urticaria.

Prolonged Stress is another factor that disturbs the gut lining and contributes to leaky gut as well as hives.

These triggers come under the Ayurveda’s concept of Ahara Asatmyata (food intolerance) and Viruddha Ahara (incompatible diet) that we’ll discuss in the next section.

2) Ayurvedic Perspective on Urticaria

In Ayurveda, Urticaria is called Sheeta Pitta. 

In Sheetapitta, “Sheeta” refers to the cold, and “Pitta” means warmth. When you have cold (Sheeta) dominance in the body because of Vata and Kapha aggravation over Pitta, the body releases histamines leading to allergic eruptions, itching, and burning.

The classical Ayurvedic texts, such as the Charaka and Sushruta Samhita, mention various triggers –

• Sheeta – Exposure to cold
• Ahara Astamayta – Food intolerance
• Viruddha Ahara – Incompatible food combinations
• Adharniya Vega Dharana – Suppression of natural urges

These triggers lead to symptoms including Varati Damshtra Vatashotha (wheals), Kandu (itching), and Toda (pricking sensation). 

Food intolerance (Ahara Astmayta) happens because of Viruddha Ahara, in which improper or incompatible food intake disturbs the digestion and body channel functioning (Srotodushti). 

When you consume these incompatible foods for a long time, it disturbs your digestion, leading to Ama (toxin) formation, which manifests in various skin and systemic allergies. 

So Ahara Asatmayata, Ama (toxin) formation, and Srotodushti cause SheetaPitta, in simple words, food intolerance leads to leaky gut, causing Chronic Urticaria.

Diagnosis of Urticaria with Leaky Gut at IAFA

At IAFA, our female patient’s present symptoms and history led to two major issues –

• Recurrent urticaria after fish consumption
• Childhood history of urticaria.

But when we followed a combined diagnosis with modern and Ayurvedic perspectives, we found the root cause.

1. Modern findings of the patient

In our patient’s diagnosis, Chronic Urticaria triggered by 

• Food intolerance
• Suspected leaky gut because of disturbed digestion 
• Food-protein reactivity means the inability to digest high-protein foods (which caused stool irregularities)

2. Ayurvedic diagnosis

Sheeta Pitta diagnosed with underlying reasons – 

• Virudha Ahara leading to Ahara Asatmyata
• Ama accumulation
• Srotodushti (disturbed Rasavaha (nutrient assimilation channels), Annavaha (Food channels), Raktavaha Strotas (Blood circulation channels)

We found hyperactivity of Annavaha Srotas (food channel) and Rasavaha Srotas (nutrient assimilation channel).

This combined approach helped us create a holistic treatment for the root cause healing of Chronic Urticaria.

Patient’s Healing Journey 

1) First Consultation (March 2022)

Our patient got her first consultation in March 2022 when she reported her health condition. We started treatment with some herbal extract blends for detoxification and advised her to avoid gluten, dairy, and fermented foods.  

At IAFA, she got a detailed knowledge of incompatible combinations to avoid, such as fish with milk.

2) Follow-ups 

#1. First Follow-up (April 2022)

The patient continued to experience urticarial episodes with pressure wheals. 

She also complained of hair thinning, acne formation, and fatigue. Though these symptoms were mild, their persistence required a deeper Rasayana balance and strong immunity support.

We added gut repair medicine, skin detox tablets, and our in-house Ayurvedic cream (AF-7) was introduced to treat itching, wheals, and acnes.

At this point, we broadened the treatment beyond detoxification with Rasayana support and topical symptom relief.

#2. Subsequent Follow-ups

May 2022 – Symptoms like hives and itching were still there, but their intensity had reduced. Digestive irregularities, hair thinning, and fatigue persisted. 

Treatment –

• Added Anthra Mithram Gulika to improve bowel regularity and reduce gut fermentation.
• Added Triphala Capsules for bowel regulation and gut healing.

June 2022 – Patient complained of loose stools, mild hives, fatigue, and constipation.

We modified the treatment as alternating constipation & loose stool were happening. The underlying reason was intestinal inflammation with alternating motility. 

Now, we introduced Kutaj Ghan Vati for gut stabilization, and Haridra Khand for allergies.

July to Dec 2022 – Patient’s health improved with periodic flares of Urticaria, but mushy stools, and acne relapses when the patient had processed food. We continued with the treatment. 

3) Improvements

#1. Year-1 (2023)

Symptoms improved drastically, but occasional relapses occurred whenever the patient ate shrimp or processed food. 

She also noticed her hair fall had reduced, her acne started disappearing, and her hives became milder.

She felt more energetic and confident.

#2. Year-2 (2024)

Urticaria only appeared with dietary lapses. She noticed that her digestion got stabilized, energy levels rose, and sleep quality improved. 

We added nutritional herbs like Moringa, Brahmi, Shilajit, and Amla to improve her immunity in the long run.

#3. Recent Course (2025)

She was COVID-19 positive in February 2025 (mild case), and she easily managed with supportive Ayurvedic supplements. 

Her Urticaria remained under control, with no relapse for the past 6 months. She is continuing a strict diet, daily yoga practice, and Rasayana therapy as suggested by our team. 

4) Recovery

Our patient recovered from Urticaria significantly with no recurrence of the disease in the last six months. 

Her digestion also improved with normalized bowel movements, and bloating was reduced drastically. 

Her quality of life is enhanced with reduced stress, high energy throughout the day, and better sleep. Insomnia is a gone case now.

And the best part is, she has eliminated antihistamine medicines from her life.

IAFA’s Ayurvedic Treatment Approach

Dr. Sahil Gupta designed a holistic protocol that included –

1) Internal Medicines

Category	Medicine	Functions / Benefits
Digestive & Gut Healing	Aahar Amrutham Ras	Improves digestion, repairs gut lining, and reduces intestinal permeability (healing leaky gut).
	Triphala Capsules	Acts as a detoxifier, regulates bowel movements, and restores gut microbiota for better nutrient assimilation.
	Kutaj Ghan Vati (Holarrhena antidysenterica)	Controls both diarrhea and constipation, stabilizes gut health, and reduces inflammation.
	Aam Visha Balance Tablets	Detoxifies the body by removing Ama (toxins) and balancing digestive enzymes.
Skin & Inflammation Control	Pitpapra Capsules (Fumaria indica)	Balances aggravated Pitta dosha, reduces skin inflammation, and prevents flare-ups.
	Skin Detox Tablets	Purifies your blood (Rakta Shodhana) and removes systemic toxins to improve skin health.
	Haridrakhandam	Contains turmeric that offers antihistaminic effects, allergy control, and Pitta pacification.
Rejuvenatives & Immunity Support	Shatavari Capsules	balance Vata-Pitta, reduce stress-related flares, and support hormonal stability.
	Moringa, Brahmi, Shilajit, Amla	Nutraceuticals for energy, immunity, stress relief, and skin rejuvenation

2) External Applications

AF-7 Cream & Tolenorm Ointment are applied on the skin to reduce itching, soothe urticarial wheals, and manage acne flare-ups.

3)  Dietary Guidelines (Pathya–Apathya)

#1. Pathya (Diet Allowed)

• Gluten-free grains (millets, oats)
• Pomegranate
• Cucumber and bitter gourd
• Cumin-fennel-coriander decoctions
• Coconut water
• Green tea and probiotics

Note – Decoction is a process of boiling a herb in water till the water is reduced to half and then cooling it down. Once the mixture has cooled down, filter it and consume.

#2. Apathya (Avoidance)

Apathya is avoiding Viruddha Ahara (Incompatible food) that is not suitable for the patient’s health. In our case, the Apathya foods are – 

• Gluten
• Dairy products
• Fermented foods
• Seafood
• Incompatible food combinations (like fish with milk)
• high-fat foods 
• Nuts like peanuts, cashews, and pistachios
• Vegetables like eggplant and okra
• Artificial additives

4) Lifestyle & Yoga

#1. Lifestyle changes to cure Urticaria

• Dinacharya (daily routine)- Regular sleep, warm water baths, avoiding cold exposure, and not suppressing natural urges helped maintain balance.
• Ritucharya (seasonal routine)- Adjusting habits according to seasonal changes to minimize climate-triggered flare-ups. For example, increasing water intake and fruit juices in summer, and avoiding heavy foods that increase Kapha in spring.

#2. Yoga & Pranayam to get rid of Urticaria

• Yoga Asanas- Matsyasana, Bhujangasana, Mandukasana, Gomukhasana, and Simhasana for improved digestion, reduced stress, and balanced doshas.
• Pranayama- Calming breath practices like Anulom-Vilom, Bhramari (Humming Bee), to regulate stress and stabilize immunity.

Results From Ayurvedic Treatment

Our patient has shown significant improvement in her health with our ayurvedic treatment. She improved her quality of life with no stress of unpredictable hives recurrence, which also lowers confidence. 

She once suffered from insomnia, is now has improved sleep quality. Her hair fall stopped, and acne disappeared. Moreover, her antihistamine medications stopped completely.

Her story demonstrates how Ayurveda helps you find the root cause and heal it permanently rather than suppressing the symptoms with conventional medicine. Let me show you in a comparison table below –

Before vs After Treatment Comparison

Aspect	Before Treatment	After Ayurvedic Treatment
Urticaria Episodes	Frequent, unpredictable hives and itching triggered by food, climate change, and clothing pressure points	Rare, mild flare-ups only after dietary lapses, but no daily struggle
Digestion	Mushy stools, sometimes constipation, with bloating and abdominal discomfort	Normalized bowel movements, reduced bloating, stable digestion
Skin & Hair	Jawline acne, visible hair thinning	Acne cleared, hair thinning reduced, and skin quality improved
Energy & Sleep	Low energy, fatigue, insomnia, and stress during flares	High energy levels, improved sleep quality, reduced stress
Medication Use	Dependent on antihistamines (Fexofenadine 180 mg) for temporary relief	Completely free from antihistamines, only nutriceuticals for immunity support
Emotional Health	Anxiety, low confidence, and frustration due to unpredictable flare-ups	Regained confidence, emotional stability, and improved overall quality of life

Dr. Sahil Gupta’s Final Notes

This case study highlights the intricate connection between food intolerance, gut health, and chronic urticaria, as explained through both modern medical understanding and Ayurvedic principles.

The patient, with urticaria triggered by dietary factors, exhibited features consistent with leaky gut syndrome, food sensitivity, digestive irregularities, systemic inflammation, and skin manifestations.

Sudden recurrence of hives with itching and red patches all over the skin affects your daily routine and lowers your confidence. 

Eventually, this stress of unpredictable recurrence takes a big toll on your peace of mind as well as your overall health.

You can’t find a permanent solution until you know the root cause, and Ayurveda gives you that vision to find the underlying issue, which sometimes seems unrelated.

In this case study, the connection between food intolerance and leaky gut was the hidden trigger for our patient’s chronic Urticaria that we healed completely with the guidance of Ayurveda and my experience of 15+ years.

If you are going through something similar, consult Dr. Sahil Gupta at IAFA Ayurveda for personalized Ayurvedic treatment.

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