ECZEMA AND AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Different Types

1. Atopic eczema is the commonest form of eczema and is closely linked with asthma and cold symptoms. It can affect both children and adults, usually running in families. It is proposed that people with atopic eczema are sensitive to allergens in the environment, which are harmless to others. In atopic type, there is excessive reaction by the immune system producing inflamed, irritated and sore skin. One of the most common symptoms of atopic eczema is its itchiness (or pruritus), which can be almost unbearable. Other symptoms include overall dryness of the skin, redness, and inflammation. Constant scratching can also cause the skin to split, leaving it prone to infection. In infected eczema, the skin may crack and weep (‘wet’ eczema).
2. Allergic contact dermatitis develops when the body’s immune system reacts against a substance in contact with the skin. The allergic reaction often develops over a period through repeated contact with the substance. For example, an allergic reaction may occur to nickel, which is often found in earrings, belt buckles and jeans buttons. Reactions can also occur after contact with perfumes, detergents, chemicals, rubber, and such other substances.
3. Infantile seborrhoetic eczema, is a common condition affecting babies under one year old, the exact cause of which is unknown. It usually starts on the scalp or the nappy area and quickly spreads. Although this type of eczema looks unpleasant, it is not sore or itchy and does not cause the baby to feel uncomfortable or unwell. Normally this type of eczema will clear in just a few months, though the use of medicated creams and bath oils can help to speed this along.
4. Adult seborrhoetic eczema characteristically affects adults between the ages of 20 and 40. It is usually seen on the scalp as mild dandruff, but can spread to the face, ears, and chest. The skin becomes red, inflamed and starts to flake. The condition is believed to be caused by the yeast or fungus growth.

This disease usually is constitutional, though as we have seen, it is sometimes due to local influences. No matter where the eczema may appear, it must be remembered that the poisons eliminated through these skin manifestations are carried by the blood; therefore, eczema is really a blood or constitutional disease, so it must be treated as such. The ordinary methods of treating this trouble, with external applications alone, will be inefficient in most instances.

Such treatment simply heals the surface sores without removing the constitutional cause. One should realise that this is a constitutional difficulty, and should proceed with an Ayurvedic blood purifying process, commencing with snehana (literally, ‘to oleate’ or ‘to make smooth, with oily preparations), swedana (to induce sweating by application of heat) and panchakarma (cleansing procedures—vamana, virechana, vasti, siro-virechana, and andrakata mokshana).

Guidelines

There are a number of ways to manage eczema all of which begin with an effective skin care routine.

Ayurvedic Remedies

Note

As we all are genetically different with different constitutions and patterns, we respond to treatments in many different ways. Hence Standard Ayurvedic Treatments are always individually formulated. This article is intended only for information. It is not a substitute to the standard medical diagnosis, personalized Ayurvedic treatment or qualified Ayurvedic physician. For specific treatment, always consult with a qualified Ayurvedic physician.