Neurodermatitis: Ayurveda Understanding

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

Neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis is a pores and skin drawback by which the individual affected by the situation retains scratching his or her pores and skin on a regular basis i.e. there’s extreme urge to itch.

The lesions / patches of neurodermatitis seem dry, thick, scaly, leathery, crimson, brown, yellow, gray or purple in color and scarring with development of lesion. Although precise causes usually are not identified, irritants like tight clothes or insect bites, scratching can act like triggers. It additionally coexists with dry pores and skin, atopic dermatitis or psoriasis.

Signs embody pruritic and desquamate pores and skin lesions, erosions, hyperkeratosis and induration, altered pigmentation, erythematous plaques, lichensification and hyperpigmentation.

On this article we’ll attempt to perceive neurodermatitis from an Ayurveda perspective.

Associated Studying – Neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis: Ayurveda Understanding

There is no such thing as a one explicit situation defined in Ayurveda texts which could be precisely correlated with neurodermatitis. Right here we’ll attempt to perceive sure circumstances defined within the context of Kushta – pores and skin problems in correlation with neurodermatitis. We may even perceive neurodermatitis by trying on the situation and its signs from a dosha perspective. We are able to additionally see that neurodermatitis can also be not a single situation, it may be related to many pores and skin illnesses.

Kandu – Neurodermatitis is marked by ‘itching of the pores and skin’ and might occur in lots of areas of the physique. The principle symptom of neurodermatitis is ‘repeated itching’. The affected person approaches the doctor to get ‘treatment for itching’. Due to this fact, neurodermatitis could be merely thought of as ‘Kandu’ (Ayurvedic title for itching) and likewise handled on the traces of ‘kandu chikitsa’ with out falling into complexities of diagnosing the given situation. There are various circumstances whereby kandu is a fundamental symptom. When normal administration of kandu together with medicines, therapies and weight loss program are administered, itching in all these circumstances will likely be relieved. So, on this situation, we’re treating the ‘chief criticism or symptom’ of the illness, kandu on this context, immaterial of the illness by which it manifests. That is precisely why the affected person has approached the doctor.

Vata hyperlink & Vataja Kushta – Neurodermatitis is alleged to be related to dry pores and skin, atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. In all these circumstances, dryness is widespread. Dryness is attributable to vata vitiation or pores and skin vitiated by aggravated vata. So, Vataja Kushta – pores and skin problems attributable to aggravated vata could cause a situation resembling neuro-dermatitis. All forms of kushta having vata predominance could have most signs like these of neurodermatitis. We are able to see that stress and nervousness can even provoke itching signs. Stress and nervousness can even worsen vata.

The subtypes of kushtas whereby there’s vata predominance current with medical image of neurodermatitis. They’re as under talked about –

–        Eka Kushta
–        Charma / Charmakhya Kushta / Hasti Charma Kushta
–        Kitibha Kushta
–        Vaipadika Kushta
–        Vicharchika Kushta
–        Mandala Kushta

Eka Kushta – Dry, thick, scaly and leathery pores and skin is a marking characteristic of neurodermatitis. We are able to see this sample in eka kushta which is a kshudra kushta – minor pores and skin illness. It’s marked with massive patches and resembles the pores and skin of a fish and there’s absence of sweating. Since there isn’t any sweating, the pores and skin will get dry and kleda – pointless fluid is held again within the physique. This situation can also be attributable to mixed aggravation of vata and kapha, whereby right here vata dries up the kapha and therefore there’s itching additionally, although not specified amongst the signs of eka kushta.

Charma / Charmakhya / Hasti Charma

The pores and skin will get thicker together with change of color in itchy spots of neurodermatitis. Such a situation is present in Hasti Charma, a kind of Kshudra Kushta – minor pores and skin illnesses. The superior stage or manifestation of neurodermatitis could be thought of as hasti charma. Hasti charma is one among the many eleven forms of kshudra kushta – minor pores and skin illnesses. The patches are thick and devoid of layers. This situation can also be attributable to joint vitiation of vata and kapha.

Kitibha Kushta – That is additionally a kind of kshudra kushta which presents with black and brown lesions / patches which might really feel like a wound scar on contact – kina khara Sparsha. The patches are dry and onerous, as defined in neurodermatitis. This situation is usually correlated with psoriasis, with which neurodermatitis is usually related. This situation can also be attributable to mixed aggravation of vata and kapha.

Vaipadika Kushta – That is one more vata-kapha sort of pores and skin dysfunction belonging to the kshudra kushta class. On this situation there are painful cracks in palms and soles. Neurodermatitis shouldn’t be restricted to palms and soles, however it could possibly happen in these areas too. Steady scratching on already current cracks and fissures on the pores and skin of toes and fingers can result in patches resembling neurodermatitis.

Vicharchika Kushta – It’s a kshudra kushta prompted attributable to predominant aggravation of kapha. It presents with a number of itchy boils or eruptions / blisters of blackish brown color together with extreme itching sensation and oozing (exudation). Extreme itching and discoloration as present in vicharchika can also be present in neurodermatitis. 

Mandala Kushta – It’s a Maha Kushta – higher pores and skin illness attributable to predominant aggravation of kapha which resembles neurodermatitis in its presentation. The patches or lesions on this situation are within the type of round raised patch / patches that are white or crimson in color, stiff, unmovable, elevated, round and mingled with each other. The affected person experiences heaviness across the affected patch. It’s stated that the older patches of neurodermatitis exhibit whitening or paleness surrounded by darker hues, which resembles a medical image of mandala kushta.

Relying on the completely different colors which might be manifested within the patches of neurodermatitis, many other forms of kushta – pores and skin illnesses presenting with these numerous colors and kshudra rogas – minor illnesses which additionally current with these colors and different signs of neurodermatitis could be thought of within the comparability and correlation.

Can predominant aggravation of kapha trigger neurodermatitis?

Itching in response to Ayurveda, by default, is related to kapha. Kapha is the primary dosha chargeable for every kind of itching. Pathological enhance of kapha would trigger itching. Kapha is unctuous and liquid in nature. So, when kapha abnormally builds up within the physique undoubtedly there will likely be itching, however the pores and skin may even seem unctuous and there could also be exudates. However these usually are not the options of neurodermatitis. However, vata-kapha involvement could cause circumstances just like neurodermatitis. This will occur solely when the dryness of vata within the vata-kapha dysfunction turns into dominant over the wetness and unctuousness of kapha and dries it up.

Primarily based on the looks of ‘neuro dermatitis’ lesion

By look, neurodermatitis is significantly massive in measurement. It’s also dry, thick, scaly and leathery. These options are present in eka kushta and kitibha forms of kushta, each of them fall into the class of kshudra kushta i.e. minor pores and skin illnesses. 

Primarily based on the signs of neurodermatitis

Right here we will see that vata is predominant in virtually all doshas. Pittingn it the opposite manner, vata aggravation causes the predominant signs of neurodermatitis.

Ayurveda Therapy of Neurodermatitis  

Nidana Parivarjana

Holding away from the causative components and triggers of the illness is the important thing technique to keep away from the illness, its development or recurrence. Amongst these, vata or kapha aggravating components and all etiological components enlisted as causal of kushta needs to be stored away.

Dosha Pratyanika Chikitsa

Dosha aggravation and dosha predominance in neurodermatitis needs to be analysed correctly and addressed accordingly.

Vyadhi Pratyanika Chikitsa

Addressing the basis reason for the illness needs to be the primary method in coping with neurodermatitis and that root trigger may be a illness presenting with signs just like neurodermatitis i.e. the forms of kushta which have been talked about above. Every other illness presenting with a pores and skin situation which seems nearer to neurodermatitis needs to be handled. When the primary illness is handled comprehensively, the illness which has branched out from it, neurodermatitis on this case, may even be addressed. Mainly, kushta chikitsa i.e. remedy line of kushta needs to be adopted when it comes to implementing panchakarma measures, medicines, way of life adjustments and weight loss program which might handle the illness from its roots.

Panchakarma measures

Virechana is one of the best treatment in instances of neurodermatitis. The Sneha – unctuous substances given earlier than administration of virechana as part of preparatory process, needs to be chosen from the context of kushta chikitsa. If solely virechana is to be given as an everyday / day by day detox, the medication needs to be in an oil or ghee type, ready with medicines / herbs that are cures for kushta and are antagonistic to the causal dosha / doshas.

Exterior therapies

Since vata is predominant dosha inflicting neurodermatitis and signs therein, it is rather vital to maintain the pores and skin unctuous and never permit it to dry. For this, oil therapies needs to be completed regularly. Taila Dhara – showering of natural oils and likewise utility of medicated oils on the half / components of the pores and skin in neurodermatitis are preferrred interventions. Udwarthana with natural powders blended in oils shall be used as and when wanted as scrubs to take away useless tissues and pores and skin particles.

Milk ready with Nalpamaradi Kashayam needs to be used for showering over the neurodermatitis patches.

Efficient formulations

Under talked about are a few of the vital and efficient formulations within the remedy of neurodermatitis –

–        Tiktaka Kashayam / Ghrta
–        Mahatiktaka Kashayam / Ghrta
–        Guggulutiktaka Kashayam / Ghrta
–        Aragwadhadi Kashayam / Ghrta
–        Gandharvahastadi Kashayam
–        Gandharvahastadi Eranda Tailam
–        Nimbamritadi Eranda Tailam
–        Ksheerabala Tailam / Ksheerabala Tailam 101
–        Trivrit Leham
–        Madhusnuhi Rasayanam
–        Nalpamaradi Tailam – exterior
–        Shatadhauta Ghrtam – exterior