How to Treat Dermatitis

Ayurvedic Treatment for Atopic Dermatitis:

Atopic dermatitis is a long-term (chronic) skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes. The word ‘Atopic’ was coined from the word ‘Atopy’, which includes a group of diseases in which there is an inherited tendency to develop allergic conditions.

It is a common, potentially debilitating condition that can compromise the quality of life. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammation of the skin that occurs in persons of all ages, but most commonly in children. It is characterized by intense pruritis and a course marked by exacerbations and remissions.

In atopic dermatitis, the skin becomes extremely itchy. On scratching the affected areas, there may be redness, swelling, cracking, oozing of clear fluid, crusting and scaling. During the course of this disease, there may be periods when the disease becomes so severe and worse; such periods are called flare-ups exacerbations. Also, there may be periods when the skin symptoms improves or clears up completely, and such periods are called remissions.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Atopic Dermatitis:

According to Ayurveda, the skin has seven layers. The epidermis is the skin, as a whole, is seen as an upadhatu of rasa dhatu, and the dermis as part of mamsa dhatu. The skin belongs to bahya marga, the external pathway of disease, and as such is very vulnerable to toxins carried by rasa and rakta dhatus during the prasara stage of disease, accounting for the common nature of skin inflammations. In Ayurveda, atopic dermatitis is due to a hypersensitive reaction in bahya marga, thus leading to long term skin inflammation which creates itchy and scaly skin.

Causes

Persons with vata skin type are more prone to atopic dermatitis because of dryness, while patients with pitta skin, because of its greater irritant response.

• Genetics (adi bala  pravrutta)
• Doshic skin type (dosha bala pravutta)
• Exposure to environmental allergens (parya varana)
• Physical and mental stress
• Contact with irritants and chemicals
• Poor nutrition
• Perfumes or dyes added to skin lotions or soaps
• Contact with irritants and chemicals.

Symptoms

• Blisters with oozing and crusting
• Itching
• Dry skin all over the areas of bumpy skin on the back of the arms and front of the thighs
• Skin redness and inflammation

Ayurvedic Treatment for Atopic Dermatitis helps in Correcting the digestive system, Balancing the doshas, body detoxification, strengthening the immune system, stress management.

Treatments – Ayurvedic Treatment for Atopic Dermatitis modalities includes panchakarma, external therapies, internal medications, Activities, Advice of food and life style changes.

Panchakarma – Virechana, RakthaMokshana

Externally – Abhyanga, Kashaya Seka, repeated application of  lubricants as medicated ghee / oil

Internally –  Deepana (appetizer)

Pachana ( Digestives)

Mrudu rechaka (mild purgatives)

Rakta Shodhaka (blood purifiers)

Specific Rasayana for the skin (which helps in strengthening)

Activities:

Specific Asanas, Pranayamas, meditation

Food and Lifestyle changes:  Specific to the individual’s constitution, nature of work and geographical conditions.

• Improving on the intake of water preferably warm water which helps digestion and easy balance of vata.
• Timely regular wholesome meals in a conducible non disturbing atmosphere