Skin Diseases - Ayurvedic / herbal medicines

What are skin diseases?

Skin diseases are pertaining to human integumentary system, that is organ system that comprises entire surface of the body includes skin, hair, nails, related muscles or glands. As one should understand the it is protector and barrier against external environment. There are thousands of skin diseases explained and there are different types of treatments. Hence, in modern science skin diseases are explained in various classifications depending on pathogens, location, morphology, etiology and so on, depending on the symptoms like pain or pruritus or itching and duration (chronic or acute), appearance like color, arrangement, and morphology means macules, papules, vesicles and with proper diagnostic measures with laboratory tests etc.

Hence it is understood that there is huge classification of skin diseases and the treatment do vary accordingly.

Types of Skin Diseases

To mention, there are many such as Acneiform eruptions, Chronic blistering, Autoinflammatory syndromes, connective tissue diseases, dermal and subcutaneous growths, dermatitis, Endocrine-related, infection related, lymphoid, malenocytic etc, Psoriasis, Eczema, Urticaria etc., in this way, there are many more disease depending on presentation.

Ayurvedic method of classifying skin diseases

In ayurveda, it is simply understood that all skin diseases are based on Doshas such as VATA, PITTA, or KAPHA., and there are other set of classifications like Kshudra Roga, or Kushta. Ayurveda Texts explain the origin of the disease is from Dosha and Datus. When an individual who do not follow proper diet or lifestyle, he may suffer from skin diseases, and those who do not consume improper food, or the wrong foods may suffer from skin diseases.

Overall, Ayurveda explains that skin diseases do occur when there is impure blood. It is also explained in modern sciences that due to impure blood there may be chances of skin disorder.

Depending on the severity of the diseases like mild to moderate, or moderate to severe, and depending on the location of the skin diseases, the method of treatment depends.

Causes of skin diseases

There are many causes for skin diseases, starting from food intake, external environmental factors, infections, there may be chances of skin diseases, and the diseases are associated with other systemic disorders. For examples, if there is intake of wrong food or unsuitable food, there may be chances of skin rashes, like if someone consumes prawns, there may be chances of skin itching.

Hygiene: Hygienic factors are very important and due to improper hygiene, there are many skin diseases which may occur such as fungal infections in groin area, or scabies etc.

Worm infestations: if there is any kind of worm infestations, chances of skin diseases like Ring worm infestation, white patches over skin.

External Environments: Due to long exposure of sun, there may be sunburns, or due pollution there may be rashes.

Hereditary or congenital: There are many diseases which may happen since birth such as psoriasis, or eczema.

Sexually transmitted skin diseases: Due to Sexual intercourse or due to sexual contact, there may be chances of skin diseases like herpes or blisters, sores etc.

Contagious skin diseases: Bacterial infections, viral infections, fungal infections, which may spread from person to person.

Allergies: There are many allergic skin conditions like rashes, eczema etc.

The above mentioned headings are examples, similarly, there are numerous sets of skin diseases.

Though these type of skin diseases or infections may go by its own, and if these symptoms are for long term, one should take attention of physician which is very important.

Symptoms of skin diseases

Most of the skin diseases do have its own set of symptoms and there are common symptoms like itching, rough skin, irritability, redness, or visible secretions, burning sensation, pain, are common symptoms and signs. If you suffer from these symptoms single or in combination, one should suspect any kind of skin conditions.

Method of treatment

Depending on symptoms, signs, and presenting complaints, treatment is involved for skin diseases, even, depending on severity such as mild, moderate or severe, mode of treatment is involved. Usually, few skin disease will go by its own, and few skin diseases may cause permanent damage, and certain skin disorders will hamper lifestyle. After understanding the skin diseases, one should choose appropriate treatment.

Role of Modern Medicine

Diagnosis of all skin disorders is very important that is possible with modern tools. Though a doctor can suspect certain skin diseases with preliminary examination, doctor may choose proper diagnostic tools to diagnose particular skin diseases. After diagnosis, he may suggest particular medicine to treat the illness.

Usage of steroids is very common practice by allopath doctor for most of the skin disease which are chronic which acts as immunosuppressant. However, it is not advisable to use long term steroids, and it is even mentioned by allopath doctors themselves.

Role of Alternative Medicines

By following proper diet, lifestyle like hygienic measures, and using herbal remedies are effective to treat these skin diseases.

The main goal of treatment in Ayurveda is to Improve Immunity power, and to maintain purity of blood or Blood purification methods and to prevent or control recurrence of the skin diseases.

There are many herbs or vegetables, or herbo-mineral drugs which are helpful to prevent skin diseases or to treat skin diseases. Simple Neem leaves, Turmeric, Curry leaves, bottle guard etc are having some basic antibacterial activity or good for treating skin problems.

Following medicines are examples to treat skin condition such as Haridrakhand for Urticaria, Divya Nimb Ghan Vati, Maha Manjishthadi Kashaya, Divya Arogyawardhini Vati, Divya Khadiradi Vati, etc, are the medicines which are helpful for blood purification as well as for skin diseases.