Want clear beautiful skin this summer? Summer is the time when we all want to bare a little more skin and catch a few sun rays. If you’re going abroad for your holidays you may already be prepping your skin with exfoliants, creams and oils, ready to look good on the beach!

The heat of summer can however bring misery for sufferers of urticaria or hives (also called ‘nettle rash’), a type of skin rash triggered by allergens, exercise and/or heat.

The rash can be acute, flaring up suddenly then subsiding within 48hrs; or chronic, in which case it may last for weeks. Urticaria looks like lots of little red sore nettle stings, and can itch like crazy!

Alongside the rash, you may develop angio-oedema, a type of swelling in the skin caused by a build up of fluid. Not ideal when you want to strip off and sunbathe!

Can Acupuncture Help With Urticaria and give you beautiful clear skin?

Acupuncture has a long history of successfully treating urticaria throughout Asia where Traditional Chinese Medicine is deeply rooted in the healthcare system. There are many methods of acupuncture used to manage the condition and a combination of ordinary acupuncture and auricular (ear) acupuncture has been shown to be particularly effective. I enjoy practising auricular acupuncture with many of my clients and they certainly enjoy the benefits of this treatment method!

How does the treatment work?

The principle ways in which TCM acupuncture helps ease urticaria and other inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis are:

Improving microcirculation to the skin tissues to enhance delivery of nutrients and reduce swelling (angio-oedema)

Modulating the number and types of immune cells triggering the skin rash reaction; the infuriating itchiness of urticaria is caused by the presence of histamine, a chemical produced by the immune system

Reducing inflammation by influencing blood supply and immune system chemicals

Urticaria and Hay Fever

People with hay fever often suffer with summer rashes like urticaria too, due to the over production of histamine by their immune systems. Alongside regular acupuncture treatments I recommend natural anti-histamine herbs and supplements to support them whilst the pollen count is high;

• Vitamin C: a natural anti-histamine and immune system regulator.
• Nettle tea: yes, nettle tea can help treat nettle rash! The herb is a natural anti-histamine and fantastic blood cleanser.
• Quercetin: a type of bioflavonoid that works alongside vitamin C to reduce inflammation and swelling caused by allergies like hay fever.
• Aloe Vera gel: naturally cooling and soothing itchy, sore skin.

Would you like to enjoy summer without itching and sneezing through your holidays?

Are you worried about baring your skin on the beach?

Contact me NOW on 07788 633292 or email at info@yorktraditionalacupuncture.co.uk to book your appointment with me, Tiziana – one of the UK’s TOP 3 ACUPUNCTURISTS and get clear beautiful skin today!