Eczema
Explanation
Eczema is a disease which is characterized by skin rashes along with redness, swelling, itching, dryness, and flakes in the skin. The skin itches and when a person scratches, it results into rash. Ayurveda calls this disease asVicharchika. It occurs because of imbalance in immune system. This condition is also often associated with other allergic conditions like allergic asthma, hay fever, etc. Genetic factors, debility, climate, and psychological factors can dispose one of the conditions.
Reasons/Causes
Signs/Symptoms
Eczema as per Ayurvedic Concept
According to Ayurveda, Eczema or Vicharchika is the result of a faulty diet and lifestyle, which leads to impairment of digestion and aggravation of Pitta Dosha (Ayurvedichumor representing Fire).Pitta gets manifested in the skin, thereby causing accumulation of heating toxins known as ama. These toxins get accumulated in body tissues and contaminate tissues at deeper level, thus causing eczema.
Use of local creams, antibiotics and steroids can only give temporary relief and can mask the symptoms, but they do not affect the root cause of this disease. This is the reason why this problem keeps reappearing. Ayurveda makes use of individualized treatment plan for patients suffering from eczema, and this includes proper diet and specialized herbal combinations. Treatment aims on pacifying Pitta by enhancing digestion as well as cleansing the body of accumulated toxins.
Lifestyle Guide & Recommended Diet
Homemade Therapies
Eczema is a disease which is characterized by skin rashes along with redness, swelling, itching, dryness, and flakes in the skin. The skin itches and when a person scratches, it results into rash. Ayurveda calls this disease asVicharchika. It occurs because of imbalance in immune system. This condition is also often associated with other allergic conditions like allergic asthma, hay fever, etc. Genetic factors, debility, climate, and psychological factors can dispose one of the conditions.
Reasons/Causes
- Excessive consumption of dry, stale, cold, salty, spicy, sour, fermented or fried foods
- Late night work schedules
- Regular late night dinners
- Increased hysical, mental, and sexual activities and excessive stress
- Too much consumption of tea, coffee, aerated drinks, and alcoholic beverages
- Indigestion, acidity, constipation, and flatulence
Signs/Symptoms
- Itching
- Redness on skin
- Dry and flaky skin
- Itchy blisters
- Inflammation on skin
- Small bumps on forehead, neck and cheek
- Rough and thickened skin
Eczema as per Ayurvedic Concept
According to Ayurveda, Eczema or Vicharchika is the result of a faulty diet and lifestyle, which leads to impairment of digestion and aggravation of Pitta Dosha (Ayurvedichumor representing Fire).Pitta gets manifested in the skin, thereby causing accumulation of heating toxins known as ama. These toxins get accumulated in body tissues and contaminate tissues at deeper level, thus causing eczema.
Use of local creams, antibiotics and steroids can only give temporary relief and can mask the symptoms, but they do not affect the root cause of this disease. This is the reason why this problem keeps reappearing. Ayurveda makes use of individualized treatment plan for patients suffering from eczema, and this includes proper diet and specialized herbal combinations. Treatment aims on pacifying Pitta by enhancing digestion as well as cleansing the body of accumulated toxins.
Lifestyle Guide & Recommended Diet
- Avoid spicy or oily food and a hot humid atmosphere.
- Wear loose, cotton clothes. Synthetic fibres should be avoided as they inhibit perspiration.
- Patients should avoid using soap. They should use mild herbal soap for bathing.
- Soft, smooth towel should be used and skin should not be rubbed.
- Tea, coffee, hot spices, and canned and preserved foods should be avoided.
- It is good to practice Bhujangasan and AgnisaarPranayam as they enhance body immunity.
Homemade Therapies
- Prepare a decoction by boiling 20-30 margosa (neem) leaves in about 4-5 cups of water for 20 minutes. Let it cool. This water should be used to wash the affected area.
- Boil 30 grams of Indian gum tree (babul) bark and 30 grams of mango tree bark in 1 liter of water for 30 minutes. Use this water to make a hot compress (fomentation) on the affected part. After fomentation for about 15-20 minutes, clean the skin with dry cloth. Apply purified butter as this actan ointment.
- Mix 1 teaspoon powder of liquorice root with a small amount of sesame oil. Warm the mixture in a pan and apply on the affected part. Wrap it with a bandage and leave it for 3-4 hours. This should be done twice a day.