Navigating the world of Eczema can be a daily struggle and if you’re looking for a natural way to deal with it then Ayurvedic treatment of Eczema is your solution. As much as this condition is physically painful, it can also trigger your mental health making it worse. You may find yourself stressed and depressed but it’s not the end of the world. Eczema can be cured using these at-home remedies without popping any extra pills.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition that can lead to redness, itchiness, rashes, or even blisters on the skin. Eczema is not a single skin condition but a name used for a group of inflammatory skin conditions. It can look different for everyone and it’s not necessary that the flare ups will happen in the same area as before. It can last anywhere between a few days to several weeks depending upon the type of Eczema you have.
Types of Eczema:
There are several kinds of Eczema with some having the same cause or symptoms:
Atopic Dermatitis
The most common type of Eczema is Atopic Dermatitis and the term Eczema is often used interchangeably for this specific type. In this condition, itching leads to rashes on the skin causing pain and poor sleep.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
This type of eczema is characterized by red, inflamed, or greasy skin covered with white or yellow patches. Seborrheic dermatitis, a chronic type of eczema is usually seen in oily parts of your body like the scalp or facial area around the nose and eyebrows.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
It is characterized by small, painful blisters on the skin that causes itching. This can be noticed on the edges of your fingers, palms, soles, or feet. Common causes of this type of Eczema are seasonal allergies, stress, or excess moisture in these parts of the body. It can also lead to cracked, scaly skin as the blisters heal.
Neurodermatitis
Neurodermatitis can result in thick, leathery patches of skin that are triggered by stress or localized irritation. It usually starts with a patchy skin which gets irritated when you scratch it. It often leads to a never-ending cycle of itching and scratching. The good news is it stays confined to one or two patches of skin, unlike Atopic Dermatitis.
Stasis Dermatitis
Symptoms like swelling, itching and redness occur in this type of dermatitis. You’ll start noticing you skin becoming dry, scaly and discolored. If not treated at time it may lead to severe problems like open sores or formation of ulcers, increasing the risk of infection. The primary reason of this being poor circulation in the legs.
Nummular Eczema
This is also known as discoid eczema or nummular dermatitis and is often caused due to very dry skin. It results in round, coin shaped patches of skin that are itchy, inflamed or oozing. It can be seen on legs, arms or even torso. The skin can become crusty or scaly over the period of time.
Contact Dermatitis
You can get this type of eczema when irritant or allergen touches your skin i.e. it is an allergic reaction to an environmental trigger. Skin usually becomes inflamed and itchy in this.
Symptoms
There are different symptoms for different types of Eczema which include:
- Dry and scaly skin
- Itching
- Red and inflamed skin
- Hives on the skin
- Painful Blisters
- Patches of irritated skin
- Rashes on scratching
Causes
- Seasonal allergies like pollen or dust
- Very hot or cold temperatures
- Excess sweating
- Stress
- Chemicals that irritate the skin
Eczema in Ayurveda
Eczema is known as “Kushta” in Ayurveda. The word “Kush” meaning discomfort, discolouration and the nature of itching. These are the symptoms which we notice in Eczema. As per Ayurveda, Eczema is the result of imbalance of dosha in your body which can be a result of various things like seasonal allergies, stress, etc.
Ayurveda being the traditional medicine, originated in India uses holistic approach to treat Eczema and its symptoms naturally. The purpose of Ayurveda is to balance the doshas causing Eczema using natural ingredients.
Ayurvedic Treatment of Eczema at Home
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is known to fight the bacteria that causes skin infections. Use coconut oil on damp skin once or maybe twice a day. Make sure you’re using Virgin cold pressed coconut oil and not any other form of it. It not only hydrates and moisturizes your skin but also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that gets rid of the itchiness.
Neem
Neem is rich in antioxidants that can help relieve symptoms of eczema. You can make a paste by using fresh butter and Neem leaves and apply it to the affected area of the skin. It will reduce redness, flaking, and peeling of the skin.
Ghee for Eczema
Ghee is a natural ingredient that makes for a safe cosmetic considering that you’re using pure ghee. Mixing camphor with desi ghee and applying it to the affected areas hydrates the skin and relieves itching.
Apple Cider Vinegar Bath
Add 1-2 cups of Apple Cider Vinegar to a bucket of water and take a bath with it. It is a mild acid that helps restore the natural pH of your skin. Try not using hot water as it has a tendency to dry out your skin.
Turmeric Milk
Haldi or turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-pain and wound healing properties. It is rich in curcumin which soothes dryness, itching, and peeling in the skin. You can drink turmeric tea or turmeric milk once a day to heal eczema.
Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties and helps with rash/wound healing, reducing inflammation and reducing any bacteria/fungi on the skin. Apply generous amount of Aloe vera gel on clean skin and let it dry out before covering it with any cloth.
Clothing Matters
The fabric and fit of your clothes can make a difference when dealing with Eczema. Certain fabrics and dyes tend to irritate the skin making the skin condition worse. Switch any harsh, polyester clothes for soft and comfortable fabrics like cotton, silk, linen or bamboo. Loose fitted clothes let your skin breathe and heal easily.
Sandalwood
Chandan or Sandalwood is an aromatic herb used in Ayurveda for skin problems like Eczema. You can apply Sandalwood powder or paste on the affected skin. It has cooling, anti-inflammatory properties which calms itching and flaking of skin.
Drinks that Cure Eczema:
Drinking a lot of fluids is advised if you have Eczema. You can add these drinks to your diet for added benefits:
- Aloe vera juice
- Licorice tea
- Ginger tea
- Turmeric tea
Foods you Should Avoid:
There are certain foods that should be avoided in order to cure Eczema which include:
- Dairy products like full cream milk, curd, buttermilk, etc.
- Refined sugar
- Salty and spicy food
- Acidic fruits
- Raw vegetables
- Alcohol
- Heavy oily foods
- Salads
- Processed food
- Red meats like beef and Bacon
Aso Read Ayurvedic Solution for Joint Pain, Migraine, Glowing Skin | 3 Problems 1 Solution
Diet for Eczema as per Ayurveda
Dietary changes make a huge difference which you might not notice instantly. Here is what an ideal should include as per Ayurveda to heal Eczema:
- Foods having essential fatty acids
- Lots of fluids to stay hydrated
- Foods rich in Vitamin A and C
- Whole grains
- Foods that have Zinc
- Steamed and green leafy vegetables
- Soups
- Turmeric
Is there a Permanent cure for Eczema in Ayurveda?
While these Ayurvedic Treatment of Eczema work effectively to manage the symptoms of Eczema, there is no permanent cure of Eczema. This is a chronic skin condition that may come and go. Make sure to follow the diet prescribed in Ayurveda to see better results.
