Ayurvedic Treatment for Eczema in Kerala

What is eczema?

Eczema is one of the most common skin disorders in the world. Dermatitis or eczema is a non-infectious disease of the skin characterized by redness, itching, cracks, and dryness of the skin with papules or vesicles. It is the final expression of various skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, lichen simplex chronicus, seborrheic dermatitis, etc.

The exact cause of the disease is not known. Hereditary and environmental factors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Age, genetic predisposition, climate, and psychological factors act as predisposing factors.

What are the causes of eczema?

The causes of eczema can be shortlisted as follows:

• Pesticides.
• Incompatible food habits.
• Preservatives and additives on food items.
• Allergic skin.
• Exposure to irritants.
• Cosmetics.
• Infectious organisms.
• Stress.

Exposure to different climatic conditions, cosmetic products, medicaments, severe stress, and respiratory disorders can act as aggravating factors for developing eczema in humans.

Signs and Symptoms of eczema

The clinical presentation of eczema usually varies with age.

1. Infants – The symptoms include weeping inflammatory patches and crusted plaques in the face, neck, and extensor surfaces.
2. The signs in childhood and adolescence include dermatitis in the antecubital and popliteal fossae. Rashes may be darkened or light in color and may be thickened.
3. Adults – In adults, the presentation of the disease is often localized. The symptoms include rashes on elbows and knees, perioral pallor, an extra fold of skin in the lower eyelids, and increased palmar skin markings. Itching (pruritis) and dry skin are prominent features in adulthood.

What is eczema according to Ayurveda?

 In Ayurveda, eczema is under the disease “Vicharchika.” It is a skin condition associated with red rashes, severe itching, profuse discharge, discoloration, and the appearance of blisters.

Ahara hetus, such as incompatible food items, junk foods, untimely food habits, etc. Vihara hetus, such as suppression of natural urges, excessive exercise after a heavy meal, use of cold water immediately after exposure to sun heat, exertion, and exposure to a frightening situation, sleeping during day time, etc., Manasika hetus such as depression, anger, grief, stress, etc. lead to the disease.

The symptoms include:

• Itching (kandu) and discharge– due to the vitiation of Kapha dosha.
• Blisters (pidaka) – due to the vitiation of pitta dosha.
• Syvatha (blackish discoloration) – due to the vitiation of Vata dosha

The disease should appropriately treat as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will affect the deeper tissues in the body.

Management of eczema in Ayurveda.

There are effective Ayurvedic therapies for eczema, internal and external medications, diet modifications, and lifestyle changes in Ayurveda. The treatment principle for managing kushta is considered in the management of vicharchika.

The treatment’s main aim is detoxifying the body, which can be achieved internally and externally.

The therapeutic procedures include:

Snehana (oleation therapy) – after looking at the dosha predominance, ghee can be consumed internally until it reaches saturation, as explained in Samhitas.

• Swedana (fomentation therapy) – mild sweating can be done for two or three days as per the condition.
• Vamana (vomiting therapy) – if the patient or disease is Kapha predominant in nature, Vamana can be done.
• Virechana (purgation therapy) – if the patient or disease is pitta predominant, virechana must be done.
• Takra dhara can be administered in some cases.
• Rejuvenation therapy such as rasayanas.

The external application of medicines includes:

• Parisheka – Cleaning with herbal decoction.
• Udvarthana – Rubbing with herbal powder.
• Lepa – application of medicinal cream.
• Avagaha – Dipping in herbal decoction.
• Dhupana – Medicated fumigation

Commonly used Ayurvedic medicines and formulations.

The medicines taken internally mainly aim at detoxification of the body. The commonly used ayurvedic formulations are:

• Patoladi kashayam
• Mahatiktakam kashayam.
• Panchatiktaka kashayam.
• Tiktaka ghritam
• Mahatiktakam ghritam
• Mahamanjisthadi kashayam.
• Kaisora Guggulu etc.

Lifestyle modifications.

• Apply moisture after bathing.
• Avoid water that is too cold or hot.
• Limit the use of soaps.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothes.
• Use cotton fabrics.

Dietary inclusions and exclusions.

Include the following foods to prevent eczema

• Easily digestible food.
• Bitter vegetables.
• Green gram, snake gourd.
• Barley, wheat, red rice.
• Older grains.

Avoid the following foods to manage eczema

• Food items that are heavy to digest
• Dairy products, fish
• Sour food
• Jaggery, Black gram
• Spicy and fried food
• Excess salt intake
• Pickles, Curd, Egg & Nuts

 Eczema is one of the most common skin diseases in the world. If treated and managed correctly, it can be controlled and live everyday life. Always be careful about skin diseases.

Treat as early as possible for better results.