Atopic Dermatitis - An Ayurvedic view

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is one among chronic diseases characterized by erythema, pruritus, scaling, lichenification, and papulo-vesicles. It is a common condition affecting approximately 17% of the population, with a slight female preponderance. Almost 60% of patients develop Atopic dermatitis within the first year of life, where as 85% by the age of five. Charmadala is caused due to predominance of Vata in which, Charmavadharanaatha is seen. Samanya Nidanas such as due to vitiated breast milk, rubbing with cloths, excessive holding on the lap, due to hot air, heat of sunrays, perspiration, poultices, contact with his own waste products like urine and faces, non cleanliness, compression by hands, over rubbing and due to family tendency, Charmadala can manifest. Usually the Mandala gets distributed over the face, neck, hands, feet, groin region, sacral region and joints. By looking in to the age of manifestation, symptoms like Kandu, Raktavarnata, Twak Parushata and Sputana, and Pidaka; its specific area of manifestation, the Utpata nature of Charmadala, it is quite similar to that of Atopic Dermatitis. The aim of Chikitsa lies in disintegration of the process of Samprapti. The general line of treatment explained for Kushta is applicable to Charmadala. Charaka and Vagbhata mentioned Shodhana Karma to be carried out according to predominance of vitiated Dosha. In the Kushtha of Vata dominance Ghritapana, in Kapha dominance Vamana and in Pitta dominance Virechana and Raktamokshana are to be carried out.