Eczema - Treatment through Ayurveda

Eczema - Treatment through Ayurveda

Eczema is an inflammatory condition of the outer most layer of the skin characterised by dryness and scaling of the skin surface. It can appear on any part of the body. It is allergic response of the body to some allergens like dust, pollens, any specific dye or agent on fabrics etc. It is a recurring chronic condition often present in association with conditions like asthma, allergic rhinitis etc which also need an allergic stimulation. But once the condition of eczema appears, it is associated with severe itching in all cases, and when it appears in an already healed eczematous lesion, this leads to permanent scarring and discolouration of the site. There is also a belief that this condition is triggered by an auto immune response where the body's own immune system starts attacking its own tissues.

Symptoms:

• Severe itching
• Dryness and scaling of skin over the lesion.
• Blackish discolouration.
• Sometimes has watery exudation on the surface.
• Associated with burning sensation after itching.
• Thickened skin having appearance like leather once the lesion is healed.

Management:

There is no complete cure for eczema in modern medicine. There are episodes of flare ups and remissions and the cure is symptomatic only. Anti histamines and steroidal topical applications are the recommended relief for this condition. But these are associated with their own set of complication which can be short term like drowsiness, lethargy etc and long term like gastritis. Topical steroidal application used over a long period of time causes atrophy of the skin resulting in thinning of the skin and prone to scarring and discolouration.

In Ayurveda, the condition is termed as Vicharchika, a skin affliction caused by all 3 doshas. According to the predominance of dosha, the symptoms differ and on the contrary, predominance of the doshas can be analysed through the symptoms exhibited. In Vata predominance, there is more dryness of the lesion, with scaling, and blacking discolouration of the skin. In pitta predominance, there is severe burning sensation with reddness and has bleeding. In kapha predominant lesion, there is severe itching sensation, with blister formation and has thin watery exudate from the lesion. But basically, eczema is a constitutional problem which has to be corrected from the root rather than just localised external treatment.

The doshas which get disturbed due to factors such as intake of hot, spicy, unconducive, mutually contradictory food items, exposure to cold and hot environment alternatively, use of artifical dyes in fabric, stress, exposure to dust and cold winds etc, circulates all over the body through the channels and get localised in a place to cause this disease. So even if lesion is treated, the condition does not get resolved completely unless the vitiated doshas are eliminated from the body and the cause of the vitiation is avoided.

The vitiated doshas are eliminated from the body through the panchakarma therapies like Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purgation), blood letting with leech etc. A proper regimen has to be followed preceeding the treatments known as the Poorva karma and even after the procedure. With these treatment procedures, the body gets purified of its toxins and with internal medicine for a short duration, one can get relieved of the disease. Internal medicines are mostly for pacifying any remnant doshas and purification of blood.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE:

• Food substances (vegetables and green leaves) are very good for skin related problems and especially for eczema.
• Avoid sour food items and mainly curd.
• Alternate exposure to heat and cold, like staying in air conditioned environment for a while and suddenly walking out into the sun has to be avoided.
• Always take bath in warm water, especially water added with neem leaves and turmeric is very beneficial.
• Soaps and detergents used on the body and fabric should be very mild.
• Factors initiating or aggravating the condition has to be identified and avoided.
• Stress has to be avoided.
• Regular practice of Yoga and Pranayama is found beneficial in controlling the severity and frequency of the flare ups.
• Regular external application of medicated oil is very beneficial.
• Proper sleep at night is important.