"It itches so much I bleed, and then it burns." This is the vicious cycle of Eczema. You scratch because it itches, and it itches because you scratch.

In Ayurveda, we call this "Vicharchika". It is not just "sensitive skin." It is a sign that your body is trying to push out toxins (Ama) through the skin because your other channels of elimination (sweat, urine, stool) are overloaded.

The skin is a "secondary emunctory organ." When the liver is overwhelmed, the skin takes the hit. So, to treat Eczema, we don't just treat the skin; we treat the Liver and the Gut.

Wet vs. Dry: Decoding Your Eczema Type

Not all eczema is the same. In my clinic, I categorize patients into two buckets, and the treatment is completely different for each.

Crucial Mistake: Putting heavy oil on "Wet Eczema" will make it worse. It traps the heat and bacteria. You must dry the oozing first with herbal washes.

The #1 Cause: Viruddha Ahara (The Food Rules)

My mentor used to say, "Show me a patient with stubborn eczema, and I will show you a patient who loves bad food combinations."

These combinations create Gara Visha (Slow Poison), a subtle toxin that acts like an allergen from within.

• Milk + Fish: The deadliest combination for skin. The proteins conflict, creating chaotic bio-molecules.
• Milk + Salt: Tea with biscuits? Curry with cream? This mix causes water retention and puffiness in the skin layers.
• Sour Foods + Dairy: Strawberry Milkshakes, Fruit Yogurt, Palak Paneer (Spinach + Cheese). The sourness curdles the milk in the stomach, creating heavy mucus (Kapha) that clogs the skin.
• Yeast & Fermentation: If you itch, stop eating bread, idli, dosa, and alcohol immediately. Fermented foods increase histamine levels.

Ayurvedic Treatment Protocol

1. Shodhana (Purification)

For eczema, we need to get the "heat" and "mucus" out.
Virechana (Purgation): The best therapy for Pitta-dominant (red/burning) eczema. It flushes the liver.
Vamana (Therapeutic Vomiting): Sounds scary, but it is the ONLY effective therapy for, oozing, wet eczema (Kapha). It pulls the toxins from the upper body/skin.

2. Shamana (Pacification) Herbs

• Khadirarishta: The "blood-astringent." It dries up weeping skin lesions like magic.
• Mahamanjisthadi Kashayam: The blood coolant. If you are red and angry-looking, you need this.
• Kaishore Guggulu: Excellent for removing deep-seated toxins in the joints and skin.

DIY Home Pharmacy: Eczema Salves

1. The Golden Ointment (For Dry Eczema)

Ingredients: Ghee (2 tbsp) + Turmeric (1 tsp) + Beeswax (optional).
Method: Warm the ghee, mix in turmeric. Apply to dry patches. Turmeric heals, Ghee lubricates.

2. The Triphala Wash (For Wet/Oozing Eczema)

Ingredients: Triphala Powder (1 tbsp) + Water (2 cups).
Method: Boil for 10 mins until reduced to 1 cup. Strain.
Use: Wash the oozing wounds with this cool liquid. DO NOT apply oil on oozing wounds. Triphala is a powerful astringent (Kashaya Rasa) that closes the wound.

The 7 Layers of Skin (Ayurvedic Anatomy)

To understand why creams fail, you must understand the depth of the disease. Ayurveda describes 7 layers of skin (Twak). Eczema often penetrates down to the 4th layer (Tamra) and 5th layer (Vedini). Steroids only treat the 1st layer (Avabhasini). This is why the disease returns the moment you stop the cream. We must treat from the "inside-out" to reach the 5th layer.

The Stress-Itch Cycle (Psychodermatology)

Science now confirms what rishis knew: The skin and the brain develop from the same embryonic ectoderm. "Neurodermatitis" is when your anxiety manifests as skin inflammation.

The 3-Step Mind Protocol:
1. Stop "Checking": Stop looking at your skin in the mirror 10 times a day. Energy flows where attention goes.
2. Cooling Breath: Practice Sheetali Pranayama (Curled tongue breathing) for 5 minutes when the itch strikes. It cools the blood instantly.
3. Bedtime Ritual: Massage your feet with Ghee (Padabhyanga). This pulls heat downwards, away from the upper body and skin.

Pathya-Apathya: The Diet Table

Category	YES (Pathya)	NO (Apathya)
Grains	Old Rice, Barley, Jowar.	New Rice, Wheat (Maida), Yeasted Bread.
Vegetables	Bitter Gourd (Karela), Bottle Gourd, Snake Gourd.	Eggplant (Brinjal), Tomato, Bell Peppers.
Fruits	Pomegranate, Sweet Grapes, Fig.	Sour Oranges, Pineapple, Kiwi, Fermented Berries.
Dairy	Ghee (in moderation), Buttermilk (fresh, non-sour).	Yogurt/Curd (Abhishyandi - blocks channels), Cheese, Paneer.

Clinical Case Study: The "Weeping" Wound

Seasonal Care (Ritucharya) for Eczema

Spring (Vasant): High risk! Kapha melts in spring. Eczema often flares up in March/April.
Action: Do a mild Detox (Panchakarma) in Feb/March. Eat bitter foods (Neem flowers).

Autumn (Sharad): Pitta aggravates in October. Redness/burning increases.
Action: Bloodletting (Raktamokshana) or Purgation (Virechana) is best done in this season.

The Emotional Biology of Eczema

Skin conditions are never just physical. In Ayurveda, the skin is the external manifestation of the Rasa Dhatu (Plasma) and Rakta Dhatu (Blood). The emotions associated with these tissues are attachment, criticism, and "burning" anger.

Ask yourself these questions:
1. Who or what is "getting under your skin"?
2. Is there a boundary you are failing to set? (Eczema is often a physical barrier created when psychological barriers fail).
3. Are you suppressing "hot" emotions like rage or jealousy? Suppressed Pitta emotion becomes skin inflammation.

Advanced Herbal Formulations (Rasashastra)

Note: These should only be taken under doctor supervision.

Eczema in Children (Atopic Dermatitis)

I see so many babies with red cheeks. In Ayurveda, this is often "Stanya Dushti" (Mother's milk issues) or "Krimi" (Worms).

Tips for Kids:
1. Deworming: Give Vidanga powder with honey (consult a doctor for dose). Parasites often manifest as skin itching.
2. No Biscuits: The Maida (refined flour) and Sugar in biscuits stick to the gut and cause skin flare-ups. Replace with fruit.
3. Soap-Free Bath: Use Green Gram Flour (Moong Dal flour) paste instead of soap. It cleans without stripping oils.

Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW)

Many patients come to me with "Red Skin Syndrome" after stopping steroids. The skin burns and peels. Ayurveda can help manage TSW, but it takes patience. We use cooling Shatadhouta Ghrita (100-times washed ghee) to soothe the burning while rebuilding the skin barrier internally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can stress cause eczema?

A: Yes. "Neurodermatitis" is real. Stress increases cortisol, which thins the skin and increases inflammation. Meditation is medication.

Q: Is Coconut oil good for everyone?

A: Mostly yes, especially for Pitta types. But for extremely dry Vata skin, Sesame oil is heavier and better. For wet eczema, NO oil initially.

Q: Why does it itch more at night?

A: Cortisol (anti-inflammatory) drops at night, and body temperature rises. Keep your bedroom cool and apply cooling lepams before bed.

Real Patient Success Stories

More Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I swim in a pool with eczema?

A: Chlorine is very drying (Vata aggravating). If you must swim, apply a thick layer of coconut oil or Vaseline before entering the pool to create a barrier. Shower immediately after.

Q: Is sunlight good for eczema?

A: It depends. Early morning sun (before 8 AM) is healing (Vitamin D). But harsh midday sun increases Pitta and will cause flare-ups. Never sunbathe if your skin is red and oozing.

Q: Does gluten cause eczema?

A: For many, yes. Gluten is "guru" (heavy) and "picchila" (sticky). It increases Kapha and clogs the channels (srotas). Try a gluten-free diet for 21 days and watch your skin clear up.

Scientific Backing for Ayurvedic Treatment

Modern research is catching up with ancient wisdom.
1. Neem (Azadirachta indica): A 2013 study confirmed its potent anti-staphylococcal activity, preventing secondary infections in eczema.
2. Turmeric (Curcumin): Proven to inhibit NF-kB (a major inflammation pathway), reducing redness and swelling similar to mild steroids.
3. Virechana (Purgation): A clinical trial at Gujarat Ayurved University showed that 35% of eczema patients had complete remission after one course of Virechana, with no recurrence for 1 year.

Final Words

Skin healing is a marathon, not a sprint. The skin renews itself every 28 days. Give Ayurveda at least 3-4 cycles (4 months) to show deep results. Do not suppress the itch; understand it. It is your body asking for a detox. Every lesion on your skin is a map of your internal terrain. Don't just paint over the map with creams; change the terrain. Your liver, your gut, and your mind are waiting for you to listen. Trust the intelligence of your body (Prana) to heal what it has created.

Clear skin starts within,

Dr. Arti Singh, BAMS