Management of Eczema in Ayurveda
Eczema is a group of skin diseases that result in itchiness, red patches and rashes on skin. The reasons attributed to the condition are numerous, from improper food habits and lifestyle to allergies.
Ayurvedic view of Eczema
In Ayurveda, Eczema is often referred to as Vicharchika and is caused by the imbalance of all the three doshas- vata, pitta and kapha. Improper lifestyle and eating habits adversely affect Agni leading to the accumulation of toxins in the body and the vitiation of the three doshas. The imbalance cause pathological changes on body tissues, namely, skin, blood and flesh.
Symptoms of Eczema
• Roughness of the skin
• Decreased sweating
• Itching
• Numbness
• Discolouration of the skin
• Elevated plaques of red & bumpy skin
Causes
Ayurveda mostly attribute Eczema to improper food combinations or Virudhahara and an improper lifestyle. Other factors that lead to the condition are age, genetics, allergies and some irritants like detergents.
Ayurvedic treatments
• Vamana: Vamana therapy is a medicated emesis therapy where in herbal medicines induce expulsion of vitiated doshas out of the body, through the oral cavity.
• Virechana: Virechana therapy is a medicated purification therapy in which the patient is given herbal medicines through the oral cavity, the medication acts to force the excretion of impurities from the body.
• Raktamokshana: Also called Leech Therapy, Raktamokshana is a bloodletting therapy to eliminate toxins from the blood stream and is used extensively to treat various skin problems.
Apart from these therapies Ayurveda recommends herbal formulations for external application and for internal administration to effectively manage Eczema.
Home remedies
• Bathe in water prepared with Karingali to reduce eczema symptoms
• Apply Neem- Turmeric paste on affected parts
• Wash off skin several times a day with Neem decoction
• Apply Aloe Vera gel on affected parts and wash it off after 20 minutes
• Vitamin E oil can be applied on the infected areas and leave it for about 15 minutes
• Clean the skin thoroughly and apply honey directly onto the affected areas of the skin, leave it there for 10 minutes and then wash it off with warm water
• To prevent dry skin Coconut oil can be applied anytime
• Keep the skin moisturized always
• Eat only Light and easily digestible food
• Avoid dairy products, sour & spicy foods, excessive salt intake and eggs