Eczema

Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. Eczema is an allergic, inflammatory and irritating skin condition which causes dryness and recurring rashes on the skin. Some of the common symptoms of eczema are redness, skin edema, itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. Based on these symptoms, eczema can divided into three main types - acute, subacute and chronic

• Dry Skin :

Aside from avoiding trigger factors, the most important element of eczema treatment is to keep the skin hydrated by regularly using moisturisers and moisturising soap substitutes.

These help to maintain the barrier function of the skin and reduce itching, scratching and the penetration of irritants, allergens and micro-organisms.

Moisturisers should be used regularly, even when using other treatments and when the condition seems to have cleared up.

They have been shown to reduce the number of flare-ups of eczema, which are experienced, and therefore reduce the need for topical corticosteroids.

• Inflammation

Flare-ups of eczema are traditionally treated with topical corticosteroids. These reduce inflammation in the skin and are safe and effective medicines when used correctly.

Topical steroids come in various strengths, and the least potent product that is effective should be used to control the inflammation.

Mild corticosteroids are generally used for children and on the face and flexures, eg crease of the elbow or behind the knees etc.

More potent corticosteroids may be needed for adults with discoid or lichenified eczema, or with eczema on the scalp, limbs, and trunk.

Once the inflammation is under control, topical steroids should be reduced to the mildest strength needed to control the eczema, or if possible, stopped. People using topical steroids should be regularly reviewed by their doctor.

There are two steroid-sparing treatments for reducing inflammation and controlling flare-ups, called tacrolimusand pimecrolimus.

They are calcineurin inhibitors and work in a different way to steroids to suppress the inflammatory reactions in the skin.

They're not associated with the same potential side-effects of steroids and are an important advance in the treatment options for eczema. However, they are usually reserved for when corticosteroids have not been effective or cause unacceptable side-effects. Sometimes, they can cause an initial burning sensationon the skin.

It's advised that they should be applied intermittently, to active areas of eczema only, and patients should limit sun exposure, in order to reduce any potential skin cancer risk.

• Lichenification

Lichenification is thickening of the skin with exaggeration of the normal skin markings, which gives the skin a leathery, bark-like appearance.

It's a result of repeated scratching and is initially treated with potent topical corticosteroids.

Bandages are sometimes applied over the topical steroids to treat chronic, lichenified eczema, because these increase the absorption of steroid into the thickened skin and break the ‘itch-scratch’ cycle of eczema. They should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.

The bandages may sometimes contain zinc, ichthammol or coal tar, used for their anti-itching and mild anti-inflammatory effects.

Infection

Chronic eczema may often become infected, particularly with the bacteria Staphyllococcus aureus, which is found in large numbers on skin affected by eczema.

Eczema in moist areas of skin such as skin folds is also more susceptible to fungal infections. Infection worsens the inflammation of the skin and may require treatment with antimicrobial medicines, such as antibiotics, antifungals or antivirals.

Depending on the severity of the infection, antimicrobials may be either applied to the skin or taken by mouth. If the eczema is frequently infected a doctor may prescribe moisturisers and moisturising bath additives that also contain antiseptics to try and prevent infection.

• Natural Eczema Treatment

The doctors of Swasti Ayurveda Clinic have given the patients wonderful recovery from those all forms of eczematous skin providing best medicines derived from highly effecacious herbs from medicinal point of view and guided patients to perform following measures for achiving best and fast recovery.

• Boiling the bark of the babul tree in water and fomenting the affected areas with its fumes gives relief
• The seeds of the butea are mixed with lime water and are applied on the affected regions to get the required benefits.
• Carrot juice and spinach juice in combination is highly beneficial for eczema.
• Add 1 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon camphor sandalwood paste and apply on the affected areas.
• For moist or weeping eczema, apply, in neat or cream form, Red clover or Hearteas.
• Tomato juice is regarded as an effective medicine which clears up the eczema in a matter of days.
• Applying the juice of the wild almond (Terminalia catapa) on the affected parts provides relief.
• Both drinking and applying externally over the affected parts, a brew of the peel of banyan tree shows promising results.

Psoriasis is a prolonged and chronic inflammation of skin. t is marked by patches of thick, red skin covered with silvery scales that occur primarily on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp The causes of psoriasis are still unknown. This condition is neither infectious (Do not spread from one person to another) nor does it affect the general health. It affects both the genders and may start at any age.
 
Psoriasis is very common, affecting around three per cent of the population, although people with very mild symptoms may not be aware they have it. Psoriasis can begin at any age but usually starts either around the age of 20 or between 50 and 60.

According to modern medical science the causes of psoriasis are unknown. But the following factors can aggravate psoriasis.

• Heredity - If one parent is affected then there is 15% of chances for the child to suffer from psoriasis. If both the parents are affected then the possibility of child getting the psoriasis is 60%.
• Throat infections trigger psoriasis.
• Trauma or hurt on skin like cuts, bruises or burns may cause psoriasis.
• Some medicines or skin irritants initiate psoriasis.
• Smoking and alcohol are other two factors which activate psoriasis.
• Mental stress or psychological trauma may also cause psoriasis

Physicians of Swasti Ayurveda Clinic  have treated this disease through unique and unparalal formulations of ayurveda, and giving patients following prequetionery  measures to counteract this autoimmune disease.

• Avoid all factors which trigger psoriasis.
• Reduce stress levels with the help of meditation and Yoga.
• Do not prick, peel or scratch skin. This may trigger psoriasis.
• After bath or wash pat dry the skin. Do not rub the towel vigorously on skin.
• Avoid soap. Instead use gram flour (besan flour) as soap dries the skin.
• After washing, pat the skin dry, don't irritate it by rubbing vigorously.
• Apply moisturizing creams liberally on affected areas after
• Opt for cotton clothes over synthetic ones.
• Say no to radish, urad dal, sesame, jaggery (gur), curds, fish and other sour foods.
• Always apply besan flour or herbal scrub instead of soap.
• Smear herbal cream which is infused with vata and kapha balancing herbs.