The skin has seven layers. It expands itself to the deeper levels of the body. For this reason, skin diseases have deep-rooted causes; therefore, its remedies also have to be penetrative. Skin diseases are mostly rooted deeply into various dhatus or tissues like fat, muscles, blood etc.  Madras Institute of Ayurveda, Chennai  provides treatment for eczema in ayurveda

 

Eczema and Ayurveda–

Eczema is a common skin disease globally. It is explained as a superficial inflammatory skin disease presented with redness, itching, and maybe with papules and vesicles. The common type is atopic eczema. Hereditary and environmental factors play an essential part in the genesis of the disease.

Pesticides and preservatives, incompatible food combinations and ecological pollution–causes failure of body mechanism to detoxify. Therefore, the toxins collected in the system expresses itself as eczema. Stress is not a cause, but undoubtedly an aggravating factor. Severe itching and scratching etc. can cause injury and may result in bacterial infection.

 

Causes–

• Heredity
• Cold and hot environments
• Soaps and detergents
• Upper respiratory tract infections

 

Signs and symptoms–

 

*In infants (below two years) –- Intense itching and rashes on scalp and cheeks

*In children (from 2 years to puberty) –- Rashes behind creases of elbow or knees, neck, wrist and ankles. Rashes may become lighten or darken in colour and may thicken.

*In adults – Rashes appear in the crease of elbows and knees. Skin becomes permanently scaly and dry.

 

Early symptoms–

• Rough skin
• Discoloration and itching
• Fatigue
• Signs and Symptoms
• Itching
• Blackish discolouration
• Oozing
• Pain
• Dryness

 

 

Ayurvedic approach—

Unhealthy diet and lifestyle cause vitiation of digestive fire leading to the production of partially digested food gaining toxins or Ama. Ama causes the disease.

Vatha, Pitta and Kapha cause pathological changes of tissues (dhatu) such as Twak (skin), Mamsa (flesh), Rakta (Blood) and water principle of the body. Therefore, in Vicharchika, Kandu (itching) the symptom of Kapha vitiation, Pidaka (pustules, cysts and papules) the sign of Pitta vitiation and Shyavata (erythema with discolouration) the manifestation of Vatha vitiation—are present. If the disease is not treated in the early stages, it will affect the deeper tissues.

 

Treatment protocol–

Since eczema is a Chronic Disease, detoxification procedures are required to remove the root cause. Therefore, oral medicines for detoxification or purification are necessary for the initial stages. Later on, drugs are used for external application. In the last stage of the ayurvedic treatment for eczema—Rasayanas or Rejuvenation is done to nourish the skin.

 

Oral medications–

Snehana—Medicated ghee or sesame oil is administered orally. This is done for consecutive seven days.

Sweating—Mild sweating is done three days after Snehana procedure. Since it’s a chronic skin disease, Ayurvedic classics insists that only mild sweating should be applied in this condition.

•       Vamana—If the patient presents Kapha predominant symptoms such as cold, swelling, oozing and itching, Vamana or medicated vomiting is useful.
•       Mridu virechana—In general, Mridu virechana or medicated laxatives are given. This procedure is specifically helpful in Pitta predominant conditions, where burning sensation, fever, irritability, puss formation etc. are predominant.
•       Rakta Shodhana (Bloodletting) and Blood purification—If signs and symptoms are not relieved by the above procedures, the bloodletting by parasites or other tools and techniques are used.
•       Rasayana for the revitalization of skin—After attaining detoxification of the system skin which is damaged by this chronic disease deserve revitalization. Classically mentioned Rasayana or nourishing drugs are used.

 

External medications for eczema in ayurveda

Lepa (Herbal Paste)

-A paste made of herbal powders suitable for the patient is applied over the affected area–Here suitable herbal decoctions are poured continuously for a specified time.

 

-Udvarthana–In the case of rough and thick skin, rubbing with suitable herbal powder is useful.

 

-Avagaha– Sitting in a big vessel full of herbal decoction for a particular time is useful where significant areas of the body are affected.

 

-Dhupana–Fumigation with suitable herbs is useful in Vatha and Kapha predominant conditions.

 

Do’s

• Warm bath
• Moisturizer, mild soap
• Cotton fabrics
• Easily digestible food
• Bitter vegetables
• Green gram

 

Do No Consume–

• Dairy products
• Sour food
• Jaggery
• Black gram
• Spicy and fried food
• Excess salt
• Pickles, Curd, Egg & Nuts

 

The Madras Institute of Ayurveda (MIA), Chennai, has a complete out-patient department with facilities for consultation in different specialities, regular check-ups and more. It also possesses an in-patient department with up-to-date and well-equipped Panchakarma theatres. Successful treatment programs such as eczema in ayurveda for an entire spectrum of diseases are offered here.

Eczema in ayurveda: Ayurvedic therapies are designed to deliver tangible health benefits in addition to the relaxation they provide to the mind and body. So, log onto www.miayurveda.org for further queries.