Eczema is a disease characterized by skin rashes that have redness, swelling, itching, dryness, and flaking. The skin itches and when scratched, results in a rash. In Ayurveda, this disease is known as Vicharchika. It occurs when the immune system becomes unbalanced. Genetic factors, debility, climate, and psychological factors can dispose one to the condition.

Causes
• Irritants or substances such as soaps, cosmetics, household cleaners or detergents, chemicals, clothing, jewelry or sweat
• Allergens such as dust mites, moulds, plant pollens, pets and any number of pollutants
• Sensitivity to certain foods, particularly dairy and wheat products, citrus fruits, eggs, nuts, chemical food additives, preservatives and colorings
• Changes in Stress
• temperature or humidity
• Excessive consumption of foods that are dry, stale, cold, salty, spicy, sour, fermented or fried
• Late night work schedules
• Excessive intake of tea, coffee, aerated drinks, and alcoholic beverages
• Indigestion, acidity, constipation, and/or flatulence

Symptoms
• Itching
• Redness on skin
• Dry and flaky skin
• Itchy blisters
• Inflammation on skin
• Small bumps on forehead, neck and cheek
• Rough and thickened skin
• Blistering
• Inflamed areas that may bleed when scratched or ooze watery fluids
• Cracked, painful skin

Ayurvedic View
According to Ayurveda, Eczema or Vicharchika is caused due to a faulty diet and lifestyle, which leads to impairment of digestion and aggravation of Pitta Dosha (Ayurvedic humor representing Fire). Pitta manifests in the skin and causes accumulation of heating toxins known as ama. These toxins accumulate in body tissues, contaminating them at a deep level and causing Eczema. Use of local creams, antibiotics and steroids only mask the symptoms; they do not affect the root cause of this disease and that is the reason why this problem often reappears. Ayurveda recommends an individualized treatment plan for patients of Eczema, including proper diet and specialized herbal combinations. The line of treatment works on pacifying Pitta by enhancing the body’s digestion, as well as cleansing the body of accumulated toxins.

Diet & Lifestyle Advice
• Avoid spicy or oily food and a hot humid atmosphere.
• Wear loose, cotton clothes; avoid synthetic fibers as they inhibit perspiration.
• Avoid soap or use mild herbal soap for bathing.
• Use a soft, smooth towel and avoid rubbing the skin.
• Avoid tea, coffee, hot spices, and canned and preserved foods.
• Sunbathing is beneficiary as it kills the harmful bacteria.
• Soaps, chemicals and other drying agents should be avoided
• Increase your intake of vitamin B6
• Do exercise, meditation and relax your mind
• Use fragrance-free bathing products.

Home remedies
• Turmeric powder can also be used in natural eczema treatments and you could make a paste with a tablespoon of the powder mixed with the same proportions of bitter neem leaves.
• The application of cold compresses is also believed to help in eczema treatment and should help provide relief to any skin irritation.
• Another useful and easily available ingredient for eczema treatment would be papaya. Mashed papaya seeds can be applied to the areas of skin that are affected to reduce the itchiness.
• Coconut oil application on the affected area may be very helpful in getting rid of eczema
• Application of mud pack over the eczema is vet helpful in avoiding eczematous condition.
• Taking sunbath is another means to avoid eczema.
• Cold and wet fomentation twice daily is effective means to get away with eczema
• Spearmint leaf juice is also effective in treating eczema.
• Apply camphor paste and sandalwood paste on the eczema to get the wonderful results in eczema.
• Seeds of papaya is mashed and made into the paste form helps in reducing itching and irritation on the affected part.
• The effective remedy for Eczema is to make a fine paste by adding 1 tbls of turmeric powder and 1 tbls of bitter neem leaves and applying this paste on affected areas.
• An effective Eczema home remedy is called when you add an equal quantity of carrot juice and spinach juice and apply it on the affected eczema area.