The terms ‘eczema’ or ‘vicharchika’are synonymous. They refer to distinctive reaction patterns in the skin , which can be either acute or chronic and due to a number of causes.

There are two groups of eczemas: Exogenous and endogenous. While overlap between the two groups is common, distinction between them is critical for treatment because avoidance of incriminating contactants takes precedence over other measures in the management of exogenous eczema.

Classification of the eczemas are given below.

 

Exogenous

• Irritant
• Allergic

Endogenous

• Atopic
• Seborrhoeic
• Discoid
• Asteatotic
• Gravitational
• Localised neurodermatitis
• Pompholyx

Symptoms

• In the former, there is no secretion whereas in the latter, water may come out from the patches, either by scratching or without it.
• Redness and swelling, usually with ill-defined margin
• Papules, vesicles and more rarely large blisters.
• Exudation and cracking.
• Scaling.
• Lichenification, a dry leathery thickening with increased skin markings, is secondary to rubbing and scratching.
• Fissures and scratch marks.
• Pigmentation.

Useful Herbs

• Babul
• Butea
• Linseed
• Madhuca

Ayurvedic Supplements

• Neem Guard                    
• Surakta Syrup
  
• Raktasodhak Bati           
•  Rasamanikaya