Eczema

Eczema is one of the most common types of skin condition due to inflammation. Among all the types, atopic dermatitis is the most used word for 'eczema'. Eczema starts at any age but onset is often in childhood and it is linked to overactive immune system and allergic responses. Chances of eczema is more if one or both parents have eczema.

• Dry skin
• Itching Severe at night.
• Red to brownish grey patches especially on hand, feet, ankle, wrist, neck, upper chest, eyelids, inside the bend of elbows & knees, face and scalp in infants.
• Thickened cracked scaly skin.
• Small raised bumps which may leak fluid and crust over when scratched.
• Raw sensitive swollen skin from scratching.
• Irritant contact dermatitis (It occurs when skin comes into contact with chemicals or physical substances that cause an allergic or irritant reaction) is usually more painful than itchy.

1. Incompatible food like having milk and fruits together.
2. Excessive intake of food materials like:
   • Curd
   • Pickles
   • Brinjal,
   • Ladies finger
   • Spicy food
   • Urad dal
   • Bakery items
   • Navadhanya (freshly harvested grains)
   • Dairy products
3. Suppression of vomiting urge.
4. Remain awake during night.
5. Stress.

According to Ayurveda, three biological elements are present in our body; vata, pitta and kapha which should be in balance. Eczema or Vicharchika is caused due to an unwholesome diet and unhealthy lifestyle, which leads to impairment of digestion and aggravation of Pitta Dosha. Impaired digestion causes accumulation of toxins known as ama. Ama accumulate in body tissues, contaminating them at a tissue level (Skin) along with vitiated pitta and causing eczema.

Treatment protocol aims at:

• Treating inflammation of the skin and maintaining  normal texture of the skin.
• Prevent recurrence by healing and repairing the tissue.
• Regular intake of supplements can help in long term relief and rejuvenating the whole body.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding the causative factors. If the problem persists then consider the following treatment protocol:

• Dry cracked scaly skin with itching and reddish to brownish grey patches of skin - all these skin conditions are the result of skin inflammation and overreaction of the immune system. Avipattikar churna, Panchatiktaghruta guggulu, Aragvadha,  Khadira, Sariva, Manjistha will help to check the infection and heal the inflammation also help to purify the blood and balance the doshas thereby improving immunity.
• Skin with small raised bumps which leak fluid -  Chitrakamula, Haritaki, and Nimba remove toxins from the body and heal the skin. It prevents the recurrence by rejuvenating the cells.

(The above mentioned Ayurvedic drugs are Herbs and Herbomineral preparations)

Other Therapies: Virechana/Purgation therapy (cleaning digestive tract and purifies blood), Blood letting therapy.

Avipattikar churna, Panchatiktaghruta guggulu, Aragvadha, Khadira, Sariva, Manjistha,  Chitrakamula, Haritaki, and Nimba

• Continues to experience symptoms despite trying home remedies.
• Has a skin infection — look for red streaks, pus, yellow scabs.
• Is so uncomfortable that the condition is affecting sleep and daily activities.