Human skin, the outer covering of the body, is the largest organ in the body. It also constitutes
the first line of defense. According to Ayurveda, the skin is one of the essential sense
organs. Ayurveda has its own unique principles of diagnosis and treatment of various skin
diseases under the heading of Kuṣṭha. When we consider the prevalence of various diseases,
every year, worldwide near about 20% of the total number of patients seeking medical advice
suffer from skin diseases including cosmetic problems. According to Ayurveda, healthy skin is a
result of overall health condition of individuals. Skin disease is a common ailment and it affects
all ages from the neonate to the elderly and causes harm in a number of ways. Beside this,
people suffering from skin disease suffer from social stigma.
Skin has been given due importance since time immemorial owing to the aesthetic value
conferred upon skin, complexion and beauty by the society. Ayurveda has given prime
importance to ahara (diet) and vihara (lifestyle) in the maintenance of health and prevention of
diseases. In the recent past, the relation between diet and skin ailments is well established in
contemporary medicine. Ayurvedic literature has described skin diseases mainly under the
spectrum of Kushta, the literary meaning of which is that which causes disfiguration. The
Ayurvedic system of medicine describes a wide range of etiological factors for dermatological
disorders. The etiological factors include physical, physiological, hereditary, psychological,
psychosocial, and Papakarma (sinful activities/ Psycho-social stress and the related
psychological factors are major culprits in the manifestation and or exacerbation of many
dermatological disorders) etc.
The incidence of skin Diseases increasing due to the following factors-
In Ayurveda, acne has been elaborated as one of the Kshudra Rogas (minor ailments). Acne is called as Yuvanpidika and Tarunyapitika as it manifested in Yuva or Taruna (adolescence). Yauvanapidika (acne) is such a condition that disfigures the face during adolescent to younger age. As the disease has local spread over the face and due to the inflammatory and scarring nature of lesions, acne is also called as Mukhadushika. Yuvanpidika or Tarunyapitika or Mukhadushikais characterized by Saruja (mildly painful), Ghan (firm on touch), Medogarbha (filled with oil/sebum) and shape of Shalmali Kantaka (thorn of Salmalia malabarica). acne is caused due to vitiation of Kapha and Vata doshas and Rakta dhatu. Vitiated doshas and dhatus cause obstruction of Lomakup (pilosebaceous unit) of skin which causes acne. Further, rupture of acne causes scar formation. Also, vitiation of Vata and Rakta leads to hyperpigmentation of skin.
In Ayurveda, mainly two types of Chikitsa (treatments) have been used to treat acne i.e. Shodhana (purification of body) and Shamana (conservative treatment by oral and topical medicines). Shodhana includes Vaman and Nasya, whereas Shamana includes internal medication, Lepa, Upanah and Kshara application.
It is a type of kshudra kushtha often encountered by Ayurvedic Dermatologists charactereized with symptoms namely kandu(itching), srava(watery discharge), pidika(pustules) and shyava varna(blackish discoloration). Vicharchika is often correlated to eczema based on the clinical presentations. Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) is characterized by dry itchy skin with areas of poorly demarcated erythema and scale. In the acute phase eczema may be vesicular and oozing, in the chronic phase it may become hyperpigmented and lichenified (thickened). Vicharchika (Eczema)treatment in Ayurveda provides better management of eczematous with least side effects.
In Ayurveda all skin diseases have been described under the umbrella of Kushtha. Ekakushtha is one of the Kshudra-Kustha described in Ayurvedic text. Ekakushtha is described as Vat - Kaphaj disease. Ekakushtha has signs and symptoms i.e. Aswedanam, Mahavastu and Matsyashakalopamam , which can be compared with symptoms of Psoriasis. In India prevalence of Psoriasis varies from 0.44 to 2.88%.Psoriasis consist of itchy ,deep pink to reddish ,well demarcated, indurated plaques with silvery -miscaceous scaling present particularly over extensor surface and scalp. Psoriasis is common chronic, immune mediated, inflammatory, proliferative, non contagious disease of the skin affecting people who are genetically predisposed with environment playing critical role in pathogenesis. Psoriasis is multi-factorial disease. The exact aetiology of Psoriasis is not known but many precipitating factors like genetic, dietary, immunological and psychological has been found. It is spreading fast because of unsuitable life-style changes such as dietary pattern, busy schedule and stress.
Triggering factors are infection, drug, trauma. There is no satisfactory treatment available for Psoriasis in modern science. Ayurveda has good results in Psoriasis. In ayurveda repeated Shodhan Chikitsa and Shaman Yogas are mentioned in treatment of Kushtha which cures the psoriasis 100% with proper dietary and lifestyle habits.
Vitiligo is a chronic disfiguring disease involved with systemic autoimmune process. It is characterised by constrained, idiopathic, progressive, hypo-pigmented or white patches of skin. Prevalence of Vitiligo is 1% all over the world, while its incidence ranges from 0.1 to > 8.8%.It can be co-related with Shvitra disease in Ayurveda due to the identical signs and symptoms which are; non exudative white, red or coppery-red colored patches, roughness, dryness, itching, burning sensation of the patches, loss and discoloration of the hair. Generally it is found that Vitiligo develops with unknown causes. Several environmental factors affect the melanocytes of the patient and initiate the processes of malenocytosis. This leads to melanocytes deficiency and ultimately white coloured patches appears on the body. In modern science, mainstream treatment of disease is PUVA (Psoralen + Ultra Voilet A exposure) therapy and corticosteroids which have many harmful side effects like skin cancer, photo aging, ultraviolet light burns and nausea. Since long ago, the treatment of vitiligo is a challenge to the medical fraternity. It creates a very bad social stigma for the victim. Treatment needs a holistic approach. There is an imbalance of regulating hormones for melanin synthesis. For homeostasis of hormones and detoxifying body with Ayurvedic body purification treatment i.e., panchakarma is very useful.
In Ayurveda internal medications (abhyantara chikitsa), Local application (lepchikitsa), sun UV rays exposure (aatapsevan), Body purification i.e., Panchakarma treatment-Therapeutic Emesis (vaman), Purgation (virechan), Basti-purification method for vata, Bloodletting (raktamokshan), etc., advised for cure of vitiligo.
Melasma is a skin condition in which a hyper pigmented patch appears on face. Although we say medically this is not a serious condition but this is more than enough to shatter one’s confidence. Acquired hyper-pigmentation disorders of the skin are among the most common complaints in a general dermatology clinic. Among those, melasma is known for causing significant impact on quality of life, including a negative effect on the patient's emotional well-being and social life. In Asia, it is a common diagnosis and can reach an incidence of 0.25–4% of cases seen in any dermatology institution. Melasma should not be dismissed as simply a cosmetic entity because it often evokes emotional distress. Melasma is a chronic, acquired cutaneous, relapsing hypermelanosis characterized by hyperpigmented patches on sun-exposed areas of the face, neck, and forearms. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is believed to be the leading factor in its development. Ayurveda refers this condition as Vyanga where in Vata Pitta Dosha as well as Manasika Nidanas (psychological etiological factors) such as Krodha (anger), Shoka (sorrow), and Ayasa (mental exertion) are the main culprits.
The treatment for melasma in Ayurveda is devoid of side effects it is very effective and it promises to stop the recurrence. Ayurveda plays a significant role in managing Melasma by practising a combination of corrective Ahar (diet), Vihaar (exercise) and Aushadhi (medicines). Panchakrama therapies like Venesection or Siravyadha – a form of therapeutic bloodletting treatment , application of leaches (Jalaukavacharana), External application of herbal pastes (Mukhalepa and Pralepa),mukhabhyanga Abhyanga (Oil application on face ) and Nasyakarma (Nasal insufflation of medicines) may be beneficial as it helps to let out toxins through nasal route.
Fungal infection of skin- Dadru is one of the common skin disease mentioned in ayurveda. In modern science the clinical manifestation of dadru is closely similar to local fungal infection/tinea infection which is affecting upto 15% of population. Excessive severe itching and red patches are the common clinical manifestation. The patients experience physical, emotional and socioeconomic embarrassment in society due to fungal infection. In ayurveda Treatment of dadru are sodhana karma, shamana karma, local application of lepa are given which cures the disease completely.
Sheetapitta is one among the Tvak Vikara. Symptoms include appearance of wheals all over the body with severe itching, burning sensation and pain. Symptomatology and causative factors of Sheetapitta can be considered similar to that of Urticaria. Sheetapitta is a disease caused when a patient is exposed to cold breeze which results in vitiation of Kapha and Vata. Polluted environment, Food habits, workload and stress etc. have become main triggering factors for the manifestation of diseases. Urticaria is one of the dermatological diseases characterized by sudden eruptions of itchy wheals which may appear on any part of the skin and mucous membranes. Individual lesions as a rule do not last longer than a few minutes to a few hours and disappear without leaving any trace. An episode of urticaria (hives) can start as itching, followed by swollen red wheals. The Itching may be mild or severe. Scratching, alcohol beverages, exercise and emotional stress may worsen the itching. Urticaria affects about 15-20 % of total population . This condition can interfere in routine activities of the patient.
It is intermittent and frustrating for both the patients and physicians. Urticaria is generally manifested due to foods such as eggs, Nuts, shellfish etc., and resolves with only symptomatic treatment. But ayurveda have the complete treatment to cure the urticaria with change in lifestyle management and dietary habits.
In ayurved Lichen planus can be included under the disease ‘kushtha’ and can be treated by the general principles of treatment mentioned in kushtha. Lichen planus is a common inflammatory disorder of the skin characterized by a dense band like infiltrate on the skin with intense itching. ; Since the lesion resembles lichen the condition is termed as Lichen planus . Ayurvedic treatment has a better scope for treating Lichen planus. As a holistic approach of Ayurved the whole body is purified by panchakarma treatment and then systemic treatment is given according to dosha dominance in all skin diseases.
Nail is an important part of body, which plays crucial role in the beauty of female. A pink and lustrous nail is always equated with good health. Paronychia is one of the clinical conditions. It is a type of nail bed infection. It induces severe ugliness to hands due to chronic recurrent infection, which is generally bacterial or fungal in nature. Paronychia is generally correlated with the Kshudraroga Kunakha in Ayurveda. Chronic paronychia is an inflammatory disorder of the nail folds of a toe or finger presenting as redness, tenderness, and swelling. It is recalcitrant dermatoses seen commonly in housewives and housemaids. It is a multifactorial inflammatory reaction of the proximal nail fold to irritants and allergens.
A person with infected nails should avoid nail polish or use of artificial nail. To keep hydrated nail and surrounding area, one should use good non-chemical mix moisturizers or some special Ayurveda medicated oils like neem oil. Paronychia can be treated completely with ayurvedic medications and panchakarma therapy.