What is eczema?

Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked creating an eczema rash. The most commonly affected areas are those in which the skin is folded, such as behind the knees, inside the elbows on the neck and around the eyes and ears. In more severe cases there may be a watery secretion or pus, or the skin may bleed. Although eczema in babies and children is most common it may continue into adulthood, and may be long- or short-lived. It may leave permanent scars.

What causes eczema?

Although mainstream medicine states that eczema causes are not known, it is often seen to occur in people who suffer allergies, frequently alongside other allergic conditions such as asthma or hay fever. Certain foods or climatic conditions may be a trigger. When eczema treatment is offered it usually takes the form of moisturising applications or topical steroids, which can only hope to control the eczema symptoms.

What are some natural remedies for eczema?

Ayurveda recognises that eczema is due to an aggravation of Pitta. While the affected area often becomes hot the pulse may be cold; this is a sign that Pitta is not being equally distributed, which results in some areas being dry while others are flooded. Ayurvedic treatment for eczema therefore focuses on balancing Pitta – not necessarily lowering it, because if the production of Pitta is generally low the adrenals may respond by creating an excessive flow to restricted areas. If the immune system is weak the adrenals will often respond by becoming hyperactive. In such cases adrenal balancing medicines are required.

To prevent the scarring, which is often caused by chronic eczema, Ayurvedic medicines can be used to rejuvenate the skin. Further medicines may be utilised to treat the liver, and to address any acid-alkaline imbalance. In my own practice I have often found that specific deficiency may also be a factor, for example a lack of iron may need to be addressed. If the skin is dry, mucilaginous items may be prescribed in the form of Ayurvedic herbs or in the diet, such as slippery elm, psyllium and asparagus. In the case of older people a hormone imbalance may need to be treated, and to this end male or female hormone balancing medicines are prescribed accordingly. Any effective eczema treatment therefore clearly needs to be highly customised and to focus on individual inner imbalances rather than simply supplying topical applications.

What is an ideal eczema diet?

Dietary advice is a very important part of the treatment plan. Many spicy items need to be carefully avoided, for example chilli, pepper, mace, and garam masala. Cooler spices such as coriander and cinnamon are to be preferred. Foods which are beneficial include carrots, spinach and most salads, while seafood, eggs and beef may cause problems. It is commonly thought that cow’s milk should be avoided, but Ayurveda does not subscribe to this belief.

Yoga for management of eczema

A number of yogic practices may be very helpful in treating eczema. Postures which are effective in balancing Pitta include the Locust and Cobra postures, and the breathing exercises of Shitali Pranayama and Ujjayi Pranayama are also very beneficial. Sun Salutation is also an excellent way of improving the blood supply to the capillaries, resulting in a faster repair of the skin. All of these practices can be found in the book ‘Yatan Yoga Therapy’ with detailed instructions and photos.

Chronic eczema can have a significant impact on everyday life and can affect the sufferer emotionally as well as physically.

If you are persistently affected by the eczema please book an Ayurvedic consultation, so that the underlying causes can be assessed and an individual treatment plan put in place .

Call us on 1300 552 260 for a free 10 min consultation, and find out how Ayurvedic treatment can help you.