Ayurvedic Support for Eczema & Dermatitis in Sydney

What Is Eczema?

Eczema, particularly atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition associated with an impaired skin barrier and changes in the body’s immune response. Genetics and environmental factors can also influence its development and flare-ups.

It commonly causes dry, itchy, inflamed, cracked or flaky skin. In more severe cases, affected areas may weep, crust or become infected.

Eczema can occur anywhere on the body, although certain areas are particularly common depending on a person’s age. It frequently affects the face, hands, elbows, wrists and the folds behind the knees.

Although eczema is particularly common in children, it can occur at any age. It is not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another. Staphylococcus aureus is commonly found on eczema-affected skin, and an overgrowth of this bacteria is strongly associated with triggering and worsening flare-ups. This is why keeping the skin clean and well-moisturised is an important part of managing the condition.

What Are the Different Types of Eczema and How Do They Differ?

Eczema is not a single condition but a group of inflammatory skin conditions with different causes, triggers, and patterns. Although many types share symptoms such as itching, dryness and inflammation, they can differ in where they appear, what triggers them and how the skin looks and feels.

Identifying the particular type of eczema can be important because the underlying factors and appropriate management may differ. Some forms are associated with allergies or irritants, while others are linked with factors such as poor circulation or increased oil production in the skin.

The Different Types of Eczema

What Causes Eczema and Who Is More at Risk?

Eczema does not usually have a single cause. It is thought to develop through a combination of genetic factors, changes in the skin barrier, immune-system activity and environmental influences. Eczema triggers vary considerably from person to person. Identifying patterns—such as particular skin products, environmental exposures, stress or other individual triggers—can be an important part of managing the condition.

Some important factors include:

How Does Ayurveda Understand Eczema and Similar Skin Conditions?

Ayurveda traditionally discusses eczema-like conditions within the broader category of Kushtha, which encompasses a range of skin disorders. Vicharchika is commonly associated with symptoms resembling eczema.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, skin conditions are rarely viewed as affecting the skin alone. Their development may involve an imbalance of the doshas, together with disturbances in Agni (digestion and metabolism), the formation of Ama, and the health of the body’s tissues and channels.

The particular pattern can differ considerably from one person to another. Ayurveda therefore looks beyond the name of the skin condition to understand how the imbalance is presenting in that individual and what factors may be contributing to it.

This individual pattern forms the basis for selecting appropriate Ayurvedic dietary, lifestyle and therapeutic support.

How Does Pitta Relate to Eczema?

From an Ayurvedic perspective, Pitta is often involved when eczema presents with redness, heat, inflammation, burning or irritation. However, eczema is not considered a Pitta imbalance in every person. Vata and Kapha may also be involved, and more than one dosha can contribute to the overall pattern.

Ayurveda also recognises that an imbalance may not be distributed evenly throughout the body. For example, a person may have signs of heat and irritation in the skin while experiencing cooler qualities elsewhere.

For this reason, Ayurvedic assessment considers the whole pattern rather than the appearance of the skin alone. The person’s constitution, pulse, digestion, lifestyle and other signs are considered when determining which doshas may be involved and how they are understood within the traditional Ayurvedic framework.

Why Your Eczema Is Probably Worse Right Now: The Winter Flare 

If your skin has been angrier than usual these past few months, you are in good company. Winter can be a particularly challenging season for people with eczema.: cold dry air and indoor heating pull moisture out of the skin, long hot showers strip its protective oils, and rough winter layers rub on already irritated patches. In Ayurvedic terms, the dry, rough, cold qualities of Vata season aggravate the dryness and cracking, while hot water and heaters add local Pitta heat to inflamed skin. Practical steps that help right now: keep showers short and warm rather than hot, moisturise or apply your prescribed oil within a few minutes of bathing, wear soft cotton against the skin, use a humidifier or a bowl of water near heaters, and stay ahead of the itch rather than chasing it. If winter flares tend to occur each year, an Ayurvedic assessment may also consider your individual dosha pattern, skin tendencies, diet and lifestyle when developing a longer-term wellbeing plan.

What Factors May Aggravate Eczema from an Ayurvedic Perspective?

From an Ayurvedic perspective, eczema-like skin conditions may be influenced by a range of dietary, digestive, emotional, environmental and lifestyle factors. The factors involved can vary considerably from one person to another.

Ayurveda may consider:

• Diet and digestion — foods that aggravate an individual’s dosha balance, irregular eating habits or impaired Agni (digestive function).
• Ama — the traditional Ayurvedic concept associated with incomplete digestion and metabolic imbalance.
• Stress and emotional strain — which may disturb the doshas and contribute to skin flare-ups in some individuals.
• Sleep and daily routine — inadequate sleep and irregular routines may affect overall dosha balance.
• Climate and seasons — heat may aggravate Pitta qualities, while cold and dry conditions may increase Vata-related dryness.
• Lifestyle and environment — excessive heat, sweating and other individual exposures may influence the skin.

Ayurveda therefore looks for patterns and individual triggers rather than assuming the same factors are responsible for everyone’s eczema. These observations help guide personalised dietary and lifestyle recommendations.

Ayurvedic Herbs Traditionally Used for Skin Health

Ayurveda uses a wide range of herbs as part of individualised care for skin concerns. Some examples are given below. The choice of herbs, combinations and dosage depends on the person’s constitution, dosha pattern and other individual factors. Ayurvedic herbs should not be self-prescribed, particularly if you are taking medications or have other health conditions.

What Does Ayurvedic Care for Eczema Involve?

Ayurvedic care is personalised according to the individual’s constitution, dosha pattern, symptoms, digestion, diet, lifestyle and other relevant factors.

Depending on the individual assessment, Ayurvedic support may include:

• Personalised dietary guidance
• Lifestyle and stress-management recommendations
• Yoga, breathing and relaxation practices
• Custom Ayurvedic herbal preparations
• Ayurvedic oils or other topical preparations
• Assessment of dosha balance, Agni and other Ayurvedic factors

The combination of approaches recommended will vary from person to person according to their individual Ayurvedic presentation.

How Can Ayurvedic Care Complement Conventional Eczema Management?

Conventional eczema management focuses on maintaining the skin barrier, reducing inflammation, identifying triggers, managing flare-ups and treating complications such as infection when necessary.

Ayurveda approaches the individual from a different traditional framework. In addition to the skin itself, an Ayurvedic assessment may consider dosha balance, digestion, diet, stress, sleep and lifestyle. Recommendations are then personalised according to the individual’s Ayurvedic presentation.

These approaches do not necessarily need to be viewed as alternatives. Ayurvedic care may be used as a complementary approach alongside appropriate medical care. People using prescribed eczema medications should discuss any changes with their doctor.

Why Consider an Ayurvedic Approach to Eczema?

One of the distinctive features of Ayurveda is its whole-person approach. Rather than considering the skin in isolation, an Ayurvedic consultation may explore digestion, diet, bowel function, stress, sleep, lifestyle and dosha balance.

The aim is to develop an individualised plan that supports both skin health and general wellbeing.

Dietary Considerations for Eczema from an Ayurvedic Perspective

Ayurvedic dietary recommendations for eczema are personalised according to the individual’s constitution, dosha pattern, digestion and observed food triggers. There is no single diet that is appropriate for everyone with eczema.

In a Pitta-dominant presentation, for example, an Ayurvedic practitioner may recommend reducing excessive amounts of foods considered heating, sour, salty or highly processed. Depending on the individual, this may include certain fermented foods, alcohol, very spicy foods and particular sour / citrus fruits.

Cooling and nourishing foods may also be recommended according to the person’s constitution and digestion.

Rather than unnecessarily eliminating large groups of foods, dietary recommendations should be tailored to the individual and reviewed according to their response.

NOTE: It is important to remember that what may work for one person may not work for others and vice-versa. It’s always a good idea to speak with an Ayurvedic practitioner before attempting any new remedies.

How Long Does Ayurvedic Support for Eczema Take?

There is no standard timeframe because every person’s eczema, general health and Ayurvedic presentation are different. Some people may notice changes relatively early, while longer-standing or more complex concerns may require ongoing support.

Your progress can be reviewed during follow-up consultations and your Ayurvedic recommendations adjusted according to your response.

Meet Your Practitioner — Raman Das Mahatyagi

Raman Das is the principal Ayurvedic practitioner at Yatan Holistic Ayurvedic Centre, with 30+ years of professional experience and a private practice in Sydney since 2000. He is the author of YATAN Yoga and YATAN Yoga Therapy and has extensive experience providing Ayurvedic care to people with a wide range of health concerns, including eczema, dermatitis and other skin conditions.

Read more about Raman Das →