Skin Problems - Have Ayurveda For Them!

Skin is the largest body organ and serves as the primary protection against pathogens and toxins present in our surroundings. Skin also represents the inner body stress, abnormalities, and disease conditions. There can be a number of skin problems that may be caused by some external irritants such as any metal, insect bite, or pollution allergy. However, some skin problems may be associated with internal abnormalities or diseases. Acute and chronic skin problems can sometimes change the complete physical look of the affected part or of the whole body. 

Ayurveda and Skin Diseases

Most of the skin diseases in Ayurveda are classified under Kushtha, which has three major divisions, namely, 7 Mahakushtha, 11 Kshudrakushtha, and Kshudraroga. 

• Except for Sidhyma in 7 Mahakushtha, all diseases mimic leprosy. Sidhyma is similar to Pityriasis Versicolor disease.

• Eczematous dermatitis (Vicharchika), vesicle and bullous eruption (Sphota), Impetigo, Herpes simplex, or Herpes zoster (Charmdal), infective dermatitis (Alsak), Lichen Planus (Kitibha), Psoriasis (Ekatha), Xeroderma (Kudrakushtha), Rhages (Vipadika), Ringworm (Dadru), Scabies (Pama), and Cellulitis or Periporitis (Shataru) are all described under the 11 Kshudrakushtha. 

• Other skin diseases, such as Alopecia (Khalitya), premature grayness of hair (Palitya), Urticarial diseases (Utkotha), Acne vulgaris (Mukhadushika), and Kotha (Vyangya) are described under Kshudraroga. 

• Therefore, the complete dermatology in Ayurveda is covered under Kshudraroga, Mahakushtha, and Kshudrakushtha. 

The treatment becomes really easy if the cause of the diseases is known. The causative factors in Ayurveda have been categorized into two groups: internal or Abhyantara and external or Bahya. 

According to Ayurveda, excess blood tissue or Rakta Dhatu which nourishes the skin together with the plasma or Rasa Dhatu gives rise to the skin-disrupting toxins. The imbalance in Rakta Dhatu is mainly caused by regular consumption of unhealthy foods, alcohol, liver irritant food, intense exposure to the sun, excessive workout, or stress or anything with the attributes of Pitta dosha. 

Ayurveda Treatment for Skin Diseases 

As most of the skin diseases occur due to the result of too much Pitta such as blisters and red and hot rashes, cooling tropical remedies are used in their treatment. The main focus is to purify the blood as mostly the diseases are caused by excess Rakta Dhatu. As the blood is cleansed and nourished by the lungs and liver, these organs are also treated for complete cure and better results.

Virechana can also be used for this purpose. It is a Panchkarma therapy which administers the purgative substances to clean the Pitta via lower pathways. It cleanses the sweat glands, stomach, colon, spleen, blood toxins, kidneys, small intestine, liver, and Rakta Vaha Srotas. 

Takeaway

In Ayurveda, skin diseases are mainly caused by the imbalance in Pitta dosha and thus, treatment focuses on blood purification by cleaning glands like kidneys, blood, sweat glands, and liver.

There are a number of home remedies that one can find for Ayurveda treatment but one should always consult an Ayurveda specialist before consuming anything as the treatment requires a proper diagnosis of the problem.