Why it happens (Nidana)
Incompatible food combinations (Viruddha Ahara — like milk with sour fruit or fish), excess sour, salty and fermented food, suppressed vomiting urge, chronic constipation, stress, harsh soaps and constant wetting of hands.
Skin & Hair
Eczema & Itchy Skin · Vicharchika
pitta involvedkapha involved Source: Charaka Samhita Chikitsa 7 (Kushtha); Madhava Nidana 49
Vicharchika is the classical eczema picture — itching, oozing or dry thickened patches from Pitta-Kapha vitiating the skin and blood. Ayurveda treats the blood (Rakta) and gut together, not just the patch: bitter blood-purifying herbs inside, soothing oils outside, and strict avoidance of trigger foods.
See a doctor first if: Spreading redness with pain or fever (infection), eczema around the eyes, sudden severe flare all over the body, or no response after 6-8 weeks of care — see a dermatologist.
How it shows up (Lakshana)
Itching with dark or reddish patches, oozing in wet type or scaling and thickening in dry type, commonly at skin folds, hands and feet; worse with sweating, stress and trigger foods.
Key herbs & formulations
Neem, Manjistha, Haridra (turmeric), Kutki, Sariva, Guduchi; Khadirarishta and Mahamanjisthadi Kwath classically (practitioner guided); coconut oil or Neem oil externally.
Classical medicines beyond kitchen herbs should be taken under a registered Ayurvedic practitioner, especially with existing medication, in pregnancy, or for children.
Home care protocol (Chikitsa)
Inside: a teaspoon of turmeric-neem-manjistha mix with warm water twice daily for 4-6 weeks; keep bowels regular with Triphala at night. Outside: pure coconut oil after bathing on damp skin; neem-water bath; no soap on patches — use besan (gram flour) paste instead; keep nails short, itching seals the cycle.
Food rules (Pathya–Apathya)
Favour
Bitter vegetables (karela, methi), moong, old rice, pomegranate, plenty of warm water, ghee in moderation, turmeric in all cooking.
Avoid
Curd, fish, milk-with-salt combinations, fermented food, pickles, vinegar, excess sweets, prawns and shellfish, peanuts if they flare you, alcohol.
Lifestyle (Vihara)
Cotton clothing; lukewarm (not hot) baths; manage stress — flares follow tense weeks; protect hands with gloves for wet work; sunlight in moderation helps dry types.
Yoga & breath
Sheetali and Chandra Bhedana to cool Pitta; relaxation practices matter — Yoga Nidra weekly reduces flare frequency.
AyurSetu provides traditional Ayurvedic wellness information for education only. It is not a medical diagnosis and does not replace consultation with a qualified physician. Seek immediate medical care for severe, sudden or persistent symptoms.