Is Itchy and Dry Skin Treatment in Ayurveda Effective?

Ayurvedic treatment for dry skin: Dry and itchy skin is a common concern during the summer season. Many external variables contribute to dry skin, and the weather is one of the major factors. Since the warm summer air drastically affects your normally smooth skin, it is also important to evaluate your skincare regimen, to ensure you are treating your skin properly. If not taken care of, dry and itchy skin can become a severe problem.

Foremost, dry skin can leave your skin feeling tight, rough, and itchy. Also, feeling uncomfortable and not aesthetically pleasing, dry skin can crack when it becomes too severe. There is a possibility of different skin diseases as well, like Eczema, Psoriasis, and conditions like acne that can cause irritating symptoms.

Many people prefer cosmetic creams and other products for treating such issues. Creams that contain steroids can further cause side effects. This is why you should consider products that are gentle on the skin. In Ayurveda, you can get Dry skin treatment at home to keep your skin healthy.

Symptoms Of Itchy Skin  

Itching may occur in a specific location of the body, such as legs, arms, scalp, or in the whole body. It may happen without any specific changes on your skin. Otherwise, itching may be accompanied by a few noticeable changes such as: 

• Scaly or leathery patches
• Cracked, and dry skin
• Blisters, spots, or bumps
• Scratch marks
• Redness
• Swelling

In a few cases, the itchy sensation could last for an extended time period with varying intensities. After you scratch or rub the affected space, it tends to urge restlessness. Such behaviour can trigger a loop of itching, redness, and restlessness.  It becomes troublesome to interrupt this response.

Dry And Itchy Skin Causes

Skin is the first line of defense for the body. This is why it is more susceptible to diseases, infections, and other problems. Usually, dry skin happens because of factors in the environment, like the hot weather. Here are some causes of dry and itchy skin: 

Harsh detergents or soaps: Soaps, shampoos, and detergents are created to urge obviate oil on your skin, meaning they will additionally dry it out by baring out all the wetness. 

Heat: Any heat supply, from area heaters and heating plants to fireplaces and wood stoves, will lower the moisture in the space and turn your skin dry.

Hot showers or baths: Taking long, hot showers or soaking in a hot bath could cause dry skin. 

Swimming in pools: Chlorine, a chemical that keeps some pools clean, can dry out your skin. 

Weather: During the winter, humidity and temperature usually drop. This can make your skin drier. 

Your age: If you’re 40 or older, your chances of having dry skin are higher. Over 50% of older adults have dry skin. 

Where you live: People living in cold or dry climates without much humidity also suffer from dry skin.

Your job: If your skin gets wet often during your job, it’s more likely to dry out. Swimming instructors and hairstylists often face this issue as their skin is regularly in water. 

Your genes: Some people get health conditions that cause dry skin from their parents like thyroid, eczema, diabetes, and kidney disease, and other hormone disorders. 

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Ayurveda And Skin

According to Ayurveda, Pitta is responsible for the color, texture, and temperature of your skin, along with its luster and glow. It helps to govern the sweating function, absorb everything that we apply externally to the skin, and digests anything that contacts the skin (like chemicals, dust, irritants, and allergens). It’s also important to highlight the fact that excess heat and redness are almost always a sign of aggravated Pitta. 

Skin is one of the primary places where Pitta resides in the body. This not only makes it vulnerable to Pitta imbalance but also an active outlet for it. So, you may need to go a long way to maintain Pitta’s balance in your body. Dry skin treatment in Ayurveda consists of herbal formulations and dry skin natural remedy that helps to maintain your skin health as well.

Also Read: Ayurvedic Ways to Improve Digestive Health

How To Prevent Itchy Skin 

It is important to moisturize your skin on a daily basis and also maintain a healthy diet to nourish your skin from the inside. Most skin experts recommend the following tips and suggestions to prevent itchy and dry skin: 

1. Always take a bath with lukewarm or cold water. The reason behind this is that hot water aggravates your itching. Along with that, you should try to limit your bathing time to 10 minutes.

2. Avoid using any “fragrance-based” detergents, soaps, lotions, and creams to reduce skin irritation. Be careful while choosing products labeled as ‘unscented’ as most of them contain harsh chemicals which may further irritate your skin condition.

3. Always use a herbal, natural, and light moisturizer on your skin. Try to use a gentle moisturizer that suits your skin. Also, avoid going out in direct sunlight.

4. You are recommended to wear stretchable, light, and comfortable clothes made with cotton and other natural fabrics. You should avoid rough textiles and fabrics because they may irritate your aggravated skin, and lead to severe itching. 

5. Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations and weather conditions. Try and maintain a cool, dry, and pleasant environment in your home. You should use a humidifier in your home during winter if you are susceptible to eczema and dry skin. 

6. Stress can worsen your itching, so you need to manage your stress levels. You will get help by meditating, exercising, and cultivating a hobby besides practicing a healthy lifestyle routine. 

Ayurvedic And Home Treatments

Ayurveda has some home remedies and medicines that can effectively help you to nourish your dry and itchy skin. This will not only help you to treat skin-related issues but will also keep your skin healthy and glowing. Here are ways for the dry skin treatment in Ayurveda:

1. Home Remedies For Dry Skin

There are various home remedies that will help you to relieve itching and the burning sensation of the skin. These home remedies help to relieve itching and moisturize your dry skin.

A. Cold Applications 

One of the effective methods to reduce itching is applying ice on the affected area. You can either choose a damp cloth, cool showers, or cold compress to bring instant relief. It will slow down the advancement of a skin rash, prevent swelling, and ease itching sensation. 

When you apply cold water or ice to your skin rash, it also helps in reducing the inflammation and swelling immediately. You can go for a cold water shower to relieve body itching.

B. Apple Cider Vinegar 

The primary constituent of apple cider vinegar is Acetic acid, which has been used as an antiseptic and disinfectant. You can apply it to the affected region directly with a washcloth. Along with that, you can add 2-3 cups of vinegar to the bathwater and soak your body in it for about half an hour to relieve body itching. 

C. Baking Soda Or Oatmeal Baths 

Baking soda is popularly used in many medicated powders and ointments because it has antifungal properties. Studies have tried its effectiveness in treating and managing different kinds of flora diseases that sometimes cause itchiness.

D. Ayurvedic Lepa 

Lepas are Ayurvedic medical dressing that is prepared from various herbs such as Vacha, Kushtha, Amalaki, and Barley. Lepas have a semisolid or paste-like consistency that is externally applied to the affected skin. As per the ancient Ayurvedic texts, the three classes of Lepas are Varanya Mukhalepa (beautifying), Doshaghna (minimizing Doshas), and Vishaghna (removal of poison). 

A Lepa made from Triphala (Haritaki, Bibhitaki, and Amalaki), Haridra, Sarsapa Taila, Manjishtha, Tulsi, and Aaragvadha is recommended for minimizing itching caused by Dadru. Jeevantyadi Yamaka Lepa, Mahamarichyadi or Jatyadi oil, Tuvaraka, and Karanja are externally applied to help reduce symptoms of psoriasis-like itching.

2. Ayurvedic Treatment For Dry Skin

Along with home remedies you can also consider Ayurvedic medicines for healing dry and itchy skin. 

A. Gandhak Rasayana 

Gandhak Rasayana is made with iron, Shuddha Gandhaka (pure brimstone), Cinnamon barks and leaves, Amalaki, Ela, Honey, Trikatu, Maricha, Shunthi, Pippali, and Jaggery. 

All these herbs help in purifying the bloodstream which enables it to effectively treat leprosy, boils, and various other severe skin diseases. The Ayurvedic formulation is also helpful in the treatment of Eczema and alleviating itching associated with the skin condition. 

Dose – 1 tablet twice a day with normal water 

B. Arogyavardhini Vati 

Arogyavardhini Vati only helps in treating various skin disorders but also helps in improving the overall health of an individual. It is beneficial in treating and managing skin disorders such as Psoriasis, Eczema, and Ringworm. Along with that, it minimizes the excess doshas, thereby improving the efficacy of panchakarma therapies. 

Dose – 2 tablets twice a day with plain water

C. Mahamanjisthadi Kwatha

Mahamanjisthadi Kwatha is a mixture of ten powerful herbs that are administered to treat diabetes, arthritis, and chilblains (Skin sores and bumps). Other than that, it is also considered in the treatment of various skin disorders such as Eczema and its related issues. 

Dose – 2 tsp with a half cup of water twice a day 

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Conclusion

Ayurveda is the most popular well-being system, known for its facilities within the management of skin disorders and diseases. Ayurveda uses a holistic approach to assist with skin issues. The supplements used have ingredients that facilitate skin health, reduce inflammation and infections on the skin.

Ayurvedic treatment for dry skin will be helpful for people who suffer from allergic symptoms of the skin. There may be different causes of having skin issues, but it is very important to maintain doshas balance for healthy and beautiful skin. Ayurvedic medicines and home remedies for dry and itchy skin help treat the condition and help maintain the doshas balance. You can also consult with an expert Ayurvedic Consultant for detailed and customized treatment for your skin issues.