INTRODUCTION OF ECZEMA–
Eczema also known as atopic dermatitis. It is an inflammatory skin disease, characterised by – Dryness of skin, itchy skin and rough patches on a skin, scaly skin, small blisters or bumps, oozing, swelling and redness of skin. Thickening of the skin and hyperpigmentation in chronic stage.
In Ayurveda eczema can be correlated with Vicharchika and Vicharchika is a type of Kshudra kustha. If attention is paid and treatment is done in the beginning of this disease then it gets cured easily but if this disease becomes chronic then it becomes very difficult to cure it. Eczema is not a contagious disease.
Eczema is caused by contact with irritants and allergens. This happens to millions of people all over the world.
According to Ayurveda eczema is caused by an imbalance of the doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) and occurs due to compromise of natural barrier function of the skin. Vata, pitta, kapha doshas become imbalance and affect the skin, which leads to inflammation in the skin, symptoms like blisters, redness, scaly patches, pain, rashes, itching, irritation, discolouration are seen in inflamed skin. Eczema can be extremely uncomfortable at any level, moderate to severe eczema can occur.
UNDERSTANDING OF ECZEMA–
Types of eczema-
-Atopic dermatitis– It is the most common type of eczema, rash, itching, dryness occurs due to inflammation.
–Contact dermatitis– Redness, itching, irritation, rashes caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergens.
-Seborrheic dermatitis– Redness and scaly patches on the scalp.
-Nummular dermatitis-Itchy and round coin shaped appearing on injured area of dry skin.
-Stasis dermatitis– Discolouration occurs in lower limbs and ankle area, it is a common symptoms of stasis dermatitis. In stasis, fluid leaks from the veins, this fluid leaks into the skin and then this fluid causes swelling, redness, pain and itching. This mostly happens in the lower legs because that is where the blood collects.
-Neurodermatitis– neurodermatitis similar to atopic dermatitis. Skin becomes thick, scaly patches are found on the skin.
–Dyshidrotic eczema– Small blisters are found on the hands and feet. These blisters are filled with fluid. These are itchy blisters.
-Hand eczema– Hand eczema found only on the hands.
CAUSES OF ECZEMA–
Eczema develops due to compromise of the natural barrier function of skin. There are some factors involved in its existence which are as follows-
-Mental stress and imbalance diet.
-Disturbed life style- By not taking a healthy diet and taking too much tension, the immune system becomes weak, due to which any disease can easily occur.
-Due to lack of skin care, skin is easily affected by allergens.
-Due to toxic substances and allergens (environmental allergens) and asthma.
-Genetic factors- Children whose parents have a history of allergies are more likely to suffer from eczema.
-Tobacco and smoke- Due to the consumption of tobacco and smoking skin barrier function damage due to which toxic substances disturbs the skin’s blood flow and oxygenation.
-Dysfunction of immune system.
-Dry weather, dry skin, cold weather (dry weather, use of hot water in cold weather damage the upper layer of skin which holds the natural moisture and eliminates the skin moisture and makes the skin dry. Due to dryness of skin, skin disease like eczema occur).
-Environmental factors (soaps, perfumes, shampoo, detergents, dust, mites, pollen, moulds).
-Dampness (eczema symptoms can worsen due to high humidity), pollen and moulds.
-Water harness- Hard water damages the skin layers which has a bad effect on the skin’s barrier function and it also gets damaged.
-Unhealthy diet.
-Pollution- pollution triggers the eczema by increasing the skin sensitivity and discomfort level. Pollution causes itching and dryness in the skin.
-Kapha-Pitta are main doshas, these doshas affects the blood and cause the eczema.
-Indigestion leads to the formation of ama (poison) which is also the cause of eczema, this ama first affects the blood and then affects the doshas.
SYMPTOMS OF ECZEMA-
Redness (reddish discolouration of skin), itching, dryness and blackish discolouration .
-Papules formation, peeling, sweating, oedema.
-Sleep disturbance due to itching, which has a bad effect on physical health and mental health.
-There is oozing from the lesions, oozing is a complication of eczema cause the oedema.
-Elevated levels of IgE associated with skin infection.
-Initially small vesicles are found in both feet with itching, due to not taking timely treatment, its condition worsens and then along with itching, oozing also starts from the lesions.
-Fissures develop on the dorsal aspect of both feet and ankles and serous discharge starts occurring from these fissures.
-Rashes, itching, dryness due to inflammation- are found in eczema.
-In eczema- irritation these symptoms are found.
-Scaly patches on the scalp and redness on the scalp, hair fall, are found in dermatitis.
- coin shaped spots are found.
- swelling, pain and – these symptoms are found .
-Thickness of skin, scaly patches are found .
- small blisters filled with fluids and itching are found.
PREVENTION OF ECZEMA–
By following some points you can prevent eczema or reduce the risk of getting eczema.
-Manage stress with meditation, pranayama, yoga, daily exercise and get enough sleep.
-follow a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet which include- fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and whole grains also include omega-3 fatty acids (walnuts, flaxseeds) in your diet, maintain vitamin D.
-Avoid the spicy food, sunburn.
-Stay hydrated, keeps your skin healthy and moisturize regularly, Consume the easily digestible food to avoid indigestion.
-Avoid taking baths with very hot water, bathe only with lukewarm water and use gentle and fragrance free products for skin care.
-Avoid the consumption of alcohol and smoking because smoking and alcohol increase the risk of developing eczema.
-To avoid the infection – keep your body and surrounding environment clean.
-Avoid the harsh products and perfumes because these products damage the upper layer of skin which contains the natural moisture.
In Ayurveda eczema is compared with vicharchika, vicharchika (eczema)occurring due to imbalance of doshas and indigestion, by following these preventive measures, doshas in
the body remain balanced and by maintaining doshas balance and proper digestion of food inflammatory skin disease like eczema can be avoided.
DIAGNOSIS OF ECZEMA-
History-Medical history -family history, personal history (recurrence of symptoms).
Physical history- visual inspection of skin for signs- oedema, discolouration, papule, redness, itching and scaling.
Diagnostic tests– biopsy of skin (remove of a small piece of skin for examination under the microscope)
-Blood tests (for measure the amount IgE)
TREATMENT OF ECZEMA –
Firstly manage stress with meditation, pranayama, yoga, daily exercise, follow a healthy lifestyle and get proper sleep, avoid the triggers -cold and dry place, pollens, mould, dampness, pollution, perfumes, detergents, soaps etc. Also avoid the consumption of alcohol and smoking and keeps your skin healthy and moisturised, eat antioxidant rich food.
According to ayurveda- eczema is cause by the aggravation of kapha and pitta dosha so, detoxification (panchkarma) should be done to remove these doshas(toxins).
MEDICINES- are given after detoxification (panchkarma)-
-Triphala Kashaya
-Arogyavardhini vati- for better digestion (agnideepana)
-Punarnava asava- Punarnava best for rejuvenation of cells.
-Giloyghanvati- for boost your immunity.
-Katuki – for mitigation of pitta.
-Blood cleanser- eliminates toxins from blood.
-Pitta balance tablet – for correction of pitta
-Sariva, Manjistha, Haridra help in reliving discolouration.
CONCLUSION–
Eczema is a inflammatory skin disorder and characterised by- Redness, oedema, oozing from lesions, discolouration of skin, papule formation etc. life style modification and maintain healthy diet can manage the symptoms. if any such symptoms are found in your body then definitely contact your health care professional.
