In the United States, we are just beginning to appreciate the hidden wisdom of this 5,000-year-old medicine called Ayurveda. This ancient system of healing is simple, health is more than the absence of disease, rather it is a dynamic integration between our environment, body, mind and spirit. Ayurveda has been treating health aliments with the idea that mind, body and spirit are one rather than thinking of them separately. By reducing toxins in our bodies that accumulate due to improper digestion and nourishing our bodies through proper diet, we can transform our minds and bodies. The big questions of will eczema clear on its own without proper treatment of cleansing the body? Will eczema spread? Will eczema scars go away? When eczema won’t go away what do you? Why does it itch when I sweat? How often will my eczema flare? Do you outgrow eczema? Why is my eczema oozing? Why is my eczema red, itchy and scaly? When eczema is healing does it itch? All these questions you may be asking yourself are what we need to get answers! In Ayurveda we look for clues to the imbalance in the body so we can help you heal from the root. Even though this is a 5,000 year old medicine the basic law are eternally true which holds the key to restoring your health.
Did you Know Eczema Creams and Steroids should be temporary solutions?
Modern Medicine is essential for making sure emergency situations, flares are managed without causing too much discomfort on the body. But, long term use can create a deeper imbalance in the body. Is you are experiencing itchy skin rash, suffering from dandruff or if you skin is breaking out every time you use a new skincare product, you could be facing a chronic condition called eczema. Sudden flare-ups of dry, itchy, red skin is very common in eczema. It can be caused by environmental factors, changes in seasons, inflammatory foods, improper food combinations. The condition is called Vicharchika in Ayurveda. We use natural ways that do not have harmful side effects to manage this condition. No, chemical pharmaceuticals, just rebalancing the body to health. It is a beautiful science and an art. We will be discussing what is eczema? What are the differences between eczema and psoriasis? How to prevent Eczema? How many eczema suffers are in the US? What does eczema look like in babies? Where is eczema on the body? When eczema flares does it get infected? Who has eczema? Are eczema allergies? Are eczema and psoriasis the same thing? Does eczema show up where you clothing rubs? Will eczema go away after pregnancy? How long will eczema last? How eczema is treated naturally?
What is Eczema and How to Treat in 2023?
It is chronic inflammation of the epidermis with recurring skin rashes characterized by one or more of these symptoms: redness, skin edema (swelling), itching & dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding. In contract to psoriasis, eczema is often found on the flexor aspect of joints (inside of elbow, behind knees). Caused by overactive immune system that responds aggressively to presence of irritants. It is common in children, teenagers and adults and can affect various body parts depending on triggers. Eczema damages the epidermal barrier leading to excessive trans-epidermal water loss, resulting in the skins surface skin to crack leading to fungal and bacterial skin infections. Ayurveda works to cure skin issues, especially with chronic and complicated skin issues because it detoxifies the whole body and reset the digestive system to deal with the issue from the root cause.
What are the different Types of Eczema?
There are different types of eczema:
Atopic eczema: Allergic disease, hereditary; itchy rash on head/scalp/neck inside of elbows, behind knees & buttocks; common in developed countries. It is a most common type affecting children and adults from an immune response causing inflammation, redness and itchy, dry skin. Sometimes triggered by soaps, detergents, chemicals in cleaning or skincare products.
Contact dermatitis: 2 Types: Irritant – most common (from substances like detergent on skin); Allergic (delayed reaction from allergens, like poison ivy or nickel). Occurs when skin cells are damaged through direct contact with a substance that irritates the skin. Symptoms include itchy, dry, damaged, inflammed, red skin.
Xerotic eczema (aka winter itch/pruritus hiemalis): Dry skin that becomes so serious it turns into eczema. Worsens in dry winter, often seen in elderly.
Seborrheic dermatitis (“cradle cap” in infants): Form of eczema closely related to dandruff; causes dry or greasy peeling of the scalp, eyebrows, face, trunk. Immune response by yeast on skin leading to inflammation, dry, red flaky skin caused by hormonal imbalances, environmental seasonal changes, cleansing products.
How to Identify if I have Eczema?
Eczema should be diagnosed by a trained medical professional. Visual symptoms usually include, dry, reddish, itchy skin patches or blotches, scaly hardened, severely itchy plaques on skin, scaring or darkened skin or hyperpigmentation after healing, blisters that easily rupture and leak fluid, puss or sometimes blood.
What are the causes of Eczema in 2023?
Eczema is sometimes not a constant skin condition but may flare suddenly from triggers like stress, change in season, diet or other external causes.
Sometimes eczema is a genetic skin disorder that is heredity, from an over-active immune system or even from a hormonal imbalance during certain times of the month or certain changes in life can trigger a flare such as menopause, pregnancy or menstrual cycles.
Environmental factor contributing to eczema are soap, fragrances, cleaning products, smoke, certain fabrics, plastic gloves or other PPE can irritate the skin.
What are the symptoms of Eczema?
- Red, discolored skin
- Itchy skin
- Hyperpigmentation of skin
- Flaky skin
- Blisters that bleed, weep, ooze, puss
- Skin that is sensitive and prone to infections
- Peeling or flaking of skin
- Extreme dryness of skin
Is eczema contagious?
It can not be transferred from one person to the other, it is heredity or an over-active immune system that is causing the reaction in the body. It is not a STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease).
How can Eczema be treated naturally?
The irritation and itchy skin be treated palliatively or through detoxification from an Ayurvedic perspective. Home remedies include:
- Applying a cold compress to reduce redness and skin irriation
- Aloe Vera (Fresh from the plant – filet and apply to skin)
- Ayurvedic Oils for the skin such as Neem Oil
- Diet that is low inflammatory, such as avoiding Tomatoes, Eggplants, Potato, Bell Peppers, Dairy and Wheat.
- Ayurvedic Herbs such as yashtimadhu, manjishta, khadira, turmeric
- Ayurvedic Treatments; Panchakarma (Detoxification)
To learn more watch my YouTube video that talks about Eczema
Panchakarma should be performed by an experienced Ayurvedic Practitioner. Please contact me if you are interested in an Ayurvedic Detox for Managing Your Eczema or Skin Condition.
Namaste
Sondra Rubin, B.S., CAP, CPA