Ayurvedic Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis - Causes, Symptoms

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition especially observed in children and it is characterized by pruritis (severe itching), swelling, exudation, and skin changes including cracks. Early infancy period children are comparatively more prone to this medical condition. The children who are getting infected with Atopic dermatitis may get affected by allergic rhinitis or asthma and this progression is called Atopic march. Ayurveda has categorized Atopic dermatitis under “Vicharchika”. Vicharchika is a condition that comes under various Kushta Roga (skin diseases). The predominant dosha involved in this condition is Kapha. Ayurveda assures a complete cure in treating Atopic dermatitis. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA is the best Ayurvedic destination for treating Atopic dermatitis.

Stages of Atopic Dermatitis

In general there are three stages for Atopic dermatitis namely,

Acute stage
Sub acute stage and
Chronic stage

In the acute stage, extreme pruritis (severe itching) and cracks can be observed on examination. In the subacute stage, it may show an erythematous and scaling lesion. Thickening of the skin or lichenification with fibrotic papular changes can be observed in the chronic stage.

Ayurvedic Reference of Atopic Dermatitis

Causes of Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition which has genetic factor involvement in the etiology. Along with genetic factors,

Skin barrier defect
Immune response in a reduced state and
Exaggerated response of T-cells towards various allergy causing factors and microbiological entities.

The pathology of atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema is entirely different from that of non-atopic dermatitis. The precipitating factors for Atopic dermatitis includes,

Cow’s milk
Eggs
Peanuts
Synthetic products like clothes or detergents
Infections
Stress
Weather changes

Ayurveda also explains the causes of skin diseases including Atopic dermatitis. Incompatible or improper food habits, sinful acts, sins of previous life are considered to be the major causes of skin diseases along with external and environmental factors. The doshas namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha will be aggravated by the above-mentioned causes and invade skin, blood, lymph and muscle tissues to manifest Atopic dermatitis or Atopic eczema. In general, this disease is having Kapha predominance with the involvement of all the other doshas. Dr. Gupta’s method of keen observation, identifying the root cause and differential dosha involvement in atopic dermatitis management helps an individual to avoid the precipitating factors along with dosha increasing situations to attain the treatment result faster.

Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema may show a wide range of symptoms. The major symptoms include,

Pruritis
Skin changes including cracks over all extremities including forehead, elbow, and neck
Keratosis
Rarely swelling and
Exudation

In addition to the above mentioned symptoms, Ayurveda adds eruptions and presence of exudation of lymph in case of Atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis may also be associated with the complications of fever, sleeplessness, indigestion, stress and tastelessness.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

The Ayurvedic treatment of atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema includes internal ayurvedic medicines, external ayurvedic medicines, a special diet, and lifestyle measures.

“Dr. Gupta is treating Atopic dermatitis using a combination of medications along with some unique herbs which is attained through ancestral knowledge sharing. Ayurveda is the only natural measure for the complete cure of Atopic dermatitis. Institute of Applied Food Allergy® is the only destination where you can find the complete cure of Atopic dermatitis or Atopic eczema”.

Visit us now and get your beloved ones cured completely of Atopic dermatitis.

– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®

Diet in Atopic Dermatitis

Ayurveda suggests taking light food, wheat, bitter vegetables, green gram, and ghee in case of Atopic dermatitis for maintaining a good digestive system and a good skin condition. Heavy food, fermented milk products, alcohol added products, fish, meat, old food, and milk is suggested to be avoided for making the curing process fast.

Avoiding strenuous exercises, over-exposure to the sun, exposure to chemicals, and other external factors like allergens, microbes, etc. must be controlled by self-care measures.

Do’s (Pathya)

Light food
Sweet and bitter taste food
Ghee and butter intake
Green gram
Wheat
Bitter vegetables and
Walking in shade with proper protection

Don’ts (Apathya)

Heavy food
Alcoholic preparations
Fermented milk products
Milk intake
Salty and sour food items
Jaggery and
Over exertion

Yoga in Atopic Dermatitis

Yoga helps in relieving stress generated due to the condition of Atopic dermatitis. The techniques like Pranayama and Pavanamuktasana helps in relieving stress and thus reduces the symptoms of Atopic dermatitis.

Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Ayurveda

There are two types of treatment for atopic dermatitis in Ayurveda. Single herb treatment and treatment with a combination of medicines.

Single herb treatment for Atopic dermatitis includes Neem (Azadirachta Indica), Pointed gourd (Trichosanthes Dioica), and Malabar nut (Adathoda vasica).

Triphala choornam (The medicated powder made of three herbs scientifically named Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellerica), Patolakaturohinyadi kashayam, Nimbadi kashayam, Tikthaka gritham, Mahatiktaka gritham and Manibhadra gudam are the various internal medicines used in the treatment of Atopic dermatitis.

Ayurveda also suggests Panchakarma in the treatment of Atopic dermatitis. The Panchakarma treatment methods including Vamana (vomiting treatment) and Virechana (purgation treatment) are performed along with various external procedures like medicated paste application, herbal bathing, etc. Dr. Gupta is treating Atopic dermatitis using a combination of medications along with some unique herbs which is attained through ancestral knowledge sharing.

References

Hari Sadashiv SP editor of Ashtanga Hridaya Chikitsasthan Kustaadhyaya 19; 2 Chaukhambha Surabharti Prakahan, Varanasi, 2010.p. 192.
Paradakara HS editor Astang Hridya, Sutrasthan Shastraviddhima Adhayay 26/36-37, reprint, Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashan Varanasi, 2011, p. 119.
Prof. P. V. Sharma. Dipanadi Varga. Dravyagun – Vijnana vol – II, Chaukhambha Bharti Academy, Varanasi; Ed. Reprint 2012. Ch. 9, p.761.
Child Health and Ayurveda, Edition 2021, by Sahil Gupta, Eczema in Children, Chapter No. 24, Page No. 103-107.

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What are the main causes of Atopic Dermatitis?

Answer: The main triggers of atopic dermatitis are: intake of wrong food combinations in the diet such as taking milk with fruits, taking milk with fish, excessive use of chemical -based products and congenital in some babies.

Question: Is atopic dermatitis same as eczema?

Answer: Eczema is a general term for rash-like skin conditions. Eczema is generally very itchy. The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis.

Question: Can Atopic Dermatitis be spread to others?

Answer: No. It can’t be spread to anyone else.

Question: How Ayurveda treats Atopic Dermatitis?

Answer: Ayurveda suggests the use of herbs for internal intake, lepas and oils for external application to improve skin condition in atopic dermatitis.