SKIN DISEASES
Skin is the largest organ of the body with a total area of about 20 sqft. The skin protect us from the microbes and the elements, helps to regulate body temperature and permits the sensations of touch, heat and cold. It consists of 3 layers namely: 1) Epidermis 2) Dermis 3) Hypodermis
Skin conditions:
- Rash: any change in the appearance of skin
- Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin
- Eczema: Skin inflammation causing an itchy rash.
- Psoriasis: An autoimmune condition causes variety of skin rashes and scaly plaques.
- Skin abscess: Localized skin infection with collection of pus under the skin.
Causes of skin diseases:
- Inadequate water intake
- Unbalanced eating hours
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Hormonal imbalance
- Chronic constipation
- Stress
- Inadequate sleep
- Improper skin cleaning
Diagnosis:
- Skin testing (Allergy testing)
- Skin biopsies
- Tuberculosis skin test
Management:
Allopathic skin treatments mainly depends on external applications of creams and sometimes on steroids.
AYURVEDIC CORRELATION AND MANAGEMENT
According to Ayurveda diseases are manifested due to the imbalance between 3 doshas namely vata, pitta and Kapha. This imbalance may occur due to dietary problems or lifestyle issues, even stress can be an added factor
Vata predominant: Dry and rough rash with cracks and fissures
Pitta predominant: Redness, burning, pus formation, ulceration etc
Kapha predominant: Whitish discolouration , itching, swelling, retention of fluids etc
MANAGEMENT:
Correcting skin diseases require dietary changes to pacify the dosha affected. Good food can help to strengthen the digestive fire. This in turn blocks the formation of Ama or toxins that could harm the skin. The first step includes managing the inflammations and infections on the skin. The Ayurvedic skin management can be divided into 3 steps:
- Sodhana
- Samana
- Rasayana
Sodhana
This includes
- Poorva Karma:
- Snehana: internal administration of medicated ghee or oil
- Swedana: mild sudation is done after snehana
- Pradhana karma:
- Vamana: Mainly done in Kapha predominant skin diseases
- Virechana: medicated laxatives are given for the expulsion of toxins.
- Raktha sodhana:
Blood letting can be done by leeches or others tools and techniques can be used to remove the vitiated blood from body.
Samana
The samana procedures include intake of medicines that will be helpful in maintaining the balance between doshas
Eg:
- Manjishtadi Kashaya
- Kaishoru guggulu tablet etc
And other applications like lepana, pariseka, avagaha, dhupana etc
Rasayana
This includes revitalization of skin after attaining detoxification of the skin system, which is damaged by this chronic disease deserve revitalization. Classically mentioned rasayana or nourishing drugs can be applied accordingly.