Skin Problems

The skin of an average adult covers an area of just under 2m².  It consist of 4 identifiable layers

1) Epidermis

2) Basement membrane 

3) Dermis 

4) Hypodermis 

Skin complaints affect all ages from neonate to the elderly and cause harm in a number of ways It includes 4D’s 

1) Discomfort

2) Disfigurement 

3) Disability

4) Death. 

ECZEMA:--The term eczema or dermatitis refers to distinctive reaction patterns in the skin which can be either acute or chronic.  Is of 2 types exogenous and endogenous.

Exogenous:-1) Irritant Eczema 2) Contact Allergic

Endogenous:-1) Atopic 2) Seborrhoeic 3) Discoid 4) Gravitational

Clinical Features :-Itching, dryness of skin, when eczema affects scalp then with marked scaling (dandruff), also affects, ears, central face, nasolabial folds and eyebrows; it also affects, axillae, umbilicus, breasts, groin.  Discoid eczema is a common form of eczema recognized by discrete coin shaped lesions  seen on limbs of young men associated with intake of excess alcohol.

Gravitational eczema occurs on lower legs and is often associated with signs of venous insufficiency (oedema, red or bluish discolouration), loss of hair, pigmentation and abberation.

Psoriasis- It is non infectious, inflammatory disease of the skin, characterised by well defined erythromatous plaques with large, adherent, silvery scales.  The main abnormality in this disease is increased epidermal proliferation due to excessive division of cells in basal layers. Clinical feature includes – well demarcated lesions ranging from a few millimetres to several centimetres in diameters.  The lesions are red with dry silvery, white scaling which may be obvious only after scraping the surface.  The elbows, knees, lower back are commonly involved.  Scalp, nails, palms, napkin area are also affected.

ACNE VULGARIS- This affects many teenagers.  Lesions are limited to the face, shoulder upper chest and back.  Greasy skin is often present.  Black heads, white heads are always evident. Inflammatory papules, nodules and cysts occurs and it leaves scar on face.  VITILIGO:-  It is an autoimmune disease in which depigmented patches develop on the body.  In this condition there may be complete loss of Melanocytes from affected patches.  So in generalised vitiligo white patches are seen on hands, wrist, knees, neck etc.  The hair of scalp and beard may also be depigmented.

According to Ayurveda,  all types of skin diseases are correlated to kushta or kshudrakushta.  The main features of kushtam are “Kushnati Angam” that which causes disfigurement of the doshas, dhatus, anga’s of our body is called as kushta.  Main Nidana/cause for this are virudhahara (incompatible food) i.e taking seetha or ushna food together, curd with fish, honey and ghee in equal quantity etc. All these leads to visha (poison)  in our body  Taking excess oily, spicy food and improper lifestyles also are the causative factors.

Due to above causes the prakupita vata dosha takes shelter in our twak (skin), mamsa, lasika etc dhathus and does vikritha in that, causing small rashes on the body.  Main features include excess dryness or oilyness, itching, discolouration, burning sensation, numbness, loss of sensation etc.

-Kilasa/Switra may be compared with vitiligo/leucoderma. In this shareera becomes swethavarna (white patches) 

- Youvana pidaka/ Mukha dooshika can be correlated to Acne vulgaris.  In this due to above reasons kapha , vata ,rakta gets vitiated and produce shalmali kantake  (small rashes)  on the face.

Main treatment includes

1) Nidana parithyaga( Avoid all causative factors)

2) Follow the correct food habits and lifestyles.

3) Do shodhana therapy along with shamana oushadi

Main treatment line for all types of Kushta are vamana (Emesis therapy) and virechana (Purgation therapy), raktamokshana. Poorvakrma includes snehapanam and swedanam

After these types of shodhana therapies, we are giving shamana oushadhis for preventive and curative purposes. Not only for the diseased patients but also for healthy people for maintaining their health, one can undergo our panchakrama therapies, which will be helpful to maintain their good health, increase their lifespan, complexion, weight reduction etc.