Skin diseases and allergies: Skin is the largest organ of human body and is the site of Pitta Dosha. Skin integrates the human body as one complete structure and is known as organ of sense, temperature and pain. Skin serves as a barrier to external attacks of external pathogens and toxins and serves as protective organ. Skin, the most perceptible and prodigious external organ of human body extends its root deep inside the human body by layering into six ostensible levels. As the skin is extended to the depth, so are its diseases which are deep seated and expand to tissues, fat, muscles and even blood. Improper diet and wrong lifestyle, hormonal misbalance and stress can be cited as the reason for psoriasis, acne, vitiligo and many others.Skin conditions such as contact dermatitis are caused by the allergic reaction to external stimuli, whereas the chronic conditions such as Eczema, Psoriasis, Acne, Urticaria and Dermatitis are caused by imbalance of DOSHAS and toxins produced by impaired digestion and activities.

Some of common causes of imbalance in Doshas and toxin accumulation are:

• Intake of incompatible food combinations such as milk with fish.
• Consumption of excessive amounts of drinks which are unctuous and heavy to digest.
• Suppression of the urge to vomit or other natural urges
• Physical exercise or wandering in excessive heat after eating a heavy meal
• Haphazard intake of foods with hot and cold properties
• Use of cold water immediately after exposure to scorching sun heat, exertion or exposure to frightening situations
• Intake of excess food, uncooked food and eating before the complete digestion of previous meal
• Stress, Insomnia and life style imbalance.

The above factors cause imbalance in may vitiate all the three doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These unbalanced doshas produces toxins that affect the skin, blood, muscle tissue and lymph or plasma part of the blood tissue and manifest as discoloration, lesions and itching etc.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): Eczema is the most common type of skin condition characterised by the reaction that the skin has. It is chronic inherited but non-contagious and inflammatory skin condition that usually appear in child hood but can appear at any stage of life. It is characterised by red, scaly and Itchy patches on the skin which may contain fluid inside when infected. Eczema is the result of inability of an individual immune system to repair skin damage and barriers.

The eczematous condition may affect the individual routine activities, life style and can cause stressful conditions.

According to Ayurveda the impaired Vatta, pitta and Kapha leads to toxin formation and reside underneath the skin causing dryness, itchy condition, redness and eczematous conditions.

Children with Eczema often have higher risk of developing food allergies, asthma and other allergic conditions such as Hay fever.

 The available modern treatments such as emollients, ointments, medicines have been found effective in subsiding the symptoms for short term but are ineffective in long term management of Eczema and other related skin conditions. On the other hand, Ayurvedic mode of treatments aims to heal and treat the root cause of disease. Ayurvedic Panchkarma therapies helps in management of Eczema and other skin conditions. Herbal preparations restore the normal skin tone and help in subsidising the flares and eczematous crusts. Herbal medicines have been seen as a potent and effective way to treat and manage skin conditions.

Urticaria: Urticaria, also known as Hives/wheals or welts is an allergic response of the body towards any infection or allergen and other unknown factors but characterised by itchy rashes on skin. The tends to come and go and can last for variable period of time from hours to weeks. Urticaria occur due to the release of chemical mediators including histamine from mast cells in the skin. These mediators activate sensory nerves and cause small blood vessels to leak. This process is usually triggered by various immune pathways such as circulating IgE antibodies

Towards the management of urticaria, the inhibition of identified triggers and anti-histamines or immune suppressants and other symptomatic treatments are the only available treatments in modern science but Ayurvedic approach involves the inhibition of mutated body response and enhancement of defensive mechanism of the body with herbal medicines and therapies. Urticaria is assumed to be a reflective response of the toxin produced by the imbalanced and impaired metabolism and assimilation of the body.  The imbalanced state of Dhatus and Doshas is believed to be the main causes of impaired allergic response of the body.

An Ayurvedic management of Skin allergies including Urticaria includes identification of the imbalanced state of Bio-humors and associated impaired mechanism. The Ayurvedic therapies including Panchkarma and herbal medicines helps an individual to overcome the situation naturally.  For more information and queries, contact our Ayurvedic health practitioner at Karma health & Ayurveda at info@karmaayurveda.com.au