Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Dermatitis correlates with the Ayurvedic condition Vicharchika which is classified under Kushtha or skin diseases. It arises from the vitiation of the Tridosha primarily Kapha and Pitta along with the corruption of blood and skin tissues. Key symptoms include intense itching known as Kandu dark discoloration and the formation of pustules with profuse discharge or weeping. The root causes often involve dietary errors such as consuming incompatible foods like fish with milk or excessive salt and sour items. Management emphasizes systemic purification through Panchakarma specifically Virechana or purgation to expel toxins. External treatments using pastes of herbs like Neem Khadira and Triphala are essential for reducing inflammation and cleansing the skin while bloodletting may be used for severe cases.
Dermatitis is a general term that describes inflammation of the skin. In Ayurveda, skin diseases are collectively classified under the broad umbrella of Kushtha. Among the various types of Kushtha, the condition known as Vicharchika correlates most closely with Eczema or Dermatitis. It is characterized by itching, eruption of pustules, and discharge. Ayurveda considers skin disorders as systemic metabolic diseases affecting not just the surface but the deep tissues (Dhatus) of the body.
Modern Definition: Dermatitis is an inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by itchiness, redness, and a rash. In cases like eczema, it involves blisters and oozing.
Ayurvedic Definition: Vicharchika is defined as a skin condition characterized by Kandu (intense itching), Pidaka (boils or pustules), Shyava (blackish or dark discoloration), and Bahusrava (profuse discharge or weeping). It is classified as one of the Kshudra Kushtha (Minor Skin Diseases).
Literal Meaning:
Kushtha: Derived from "Kushnati," meaning that which destroys, distorts, or disfigures the skin.
Vicharchika: Implies a condition that covers or spreads over the skin with eruptions.
Conceptual Interpretation: Ayurveda views dermatitis not merely as a surface irritation but as a result of the fermentation and corruption of the body's seven constitutive elements (Sapta Dhatu). Specifically, it involves the vitiation of the Tridosha, Twak (Skin), Rakta (Blood), Mamsa (Flesh), and Lasika (Lymph/Plasma).
The causes of dermatitis are rooted in dietary incompatibilities and lifestyle errors that vitiate the blood and Doshas.
Viruddha Ahara (Incompatible Foods): Consuming incompatible combinations, such as fish with milk.
Dravasnigdha Ahara: Excessive intake of liquid and unctuous (oily) foods.
Specific Triggers: Excessive consumption of new grains (Navanna), curd (Dadhi), fish (Matsya), salt (Lavana), and sour substances (Amla).
Jaggery and Sesame: Excessive use of Guda (jaggery) and Tila (sesame).
Samprapti Ghataka:
Dosha: Tridosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
Dushya: Twak, Rakta, Mamsa, Lasika
Srotas: Raktavaha Srotas, Rasavaha Srotas
Agni: Impaired digestive fire
Kandu – itching
Pidaka – pustules
Shyava Varna – dark discoloration
Bahusrava – oozing
Ruja – pain
Daha – burning sensation
Maha Kushtha – There are 7 types, which are deep-seated and difficult to cure (e.g., Kapala, Udumbara).
Vicharchika specifically is often classified by the dominant Dosha:
• Kapha Dominant: Prone to itching, oozing, and thick skin.
• Pitta Dominant: Prone to burning sensation, redness, and suppuration.
• Vata Dominant: Prone to dryness (Rukshata), roughness, and pain.
• Ayurvedic Diagnosis:
◦ Darshana (Observation): Checking for the color (Shyava - dark) and nature of discharge (Bahusrava).
◦ Prashna (Interrogation): Asking about itching (Kandu) and dietary habits (e.g., sour/salty foods).
◦ Sparshana (Touch): Assessing roughness (Kharatva) or wetness (Kleda).
• Differential Diagnosis:
◦ Distinguished from Dadru (Ringworm), which presents as elevated circular patches with pustules.
◦ Distinguished from Pama, which typically presents with intense itching and small eruptions, often on the hands.
Virechana
Vamana
Raktamokshana
• Curable (Sadhya): Vicharchika and other Kshudra Kushtha (minor skin diseases) are generally curable or manageable, especially if they involve only one Dosha (e.g., Kapha or Vata).
• Incurable (Asadhya): If the disease involves all three Doshas (Tridoshaja), affects the deep tissues like bone (Asthi) or marrow (Majja), or if the patient is very weak with poor digestion, it becomes difficult to treat or incurable.
• Similarities:
◦ Vicharchika correlates directly with Eczema and Dermatitis due to the shared symptoms of itching, vesicles, and oozing.
◦ Pama correlates with Scabies or papular eczema.
◦ Visphota correlates with blistering conditions like pemphigoid or severe contact dermatitis.
• Differences: Modern medicine often treats dermatitis with corticosteroids to suppress inflammation. Ayurveda aims to treat the root metabolic cause (Agni) and purify the blood (Rakta Shodhana) to prevent recurrence.
• “Atopic dermatitis: a mini review on pathology and treatment modalities” – वर्णन करता है कि एटॉपिक डर्माटाइटिस में इम्यून Dysregulation और त्वचा बाधा दोष कैसे अहम भूमिका निभाते हैं, और जैविक व नई चिकित्सा दृष्टिकोण पर जोर देता है। (Exploration Publishing)
• “Atopic Dermatitis: A Review of Diagnosis and Treatment” – इस शोध में AD के क्लिनिकल प्रजेंटेशन, पैथोफिज़ियोलॉजी, निदान और उपचार को विस्तार से समझाया गया है। (jppt.kglmeridian.com)
• “A Systematic Review of Atopic Dermatitis: Physiopathology to Treatment” – यह systematic review AD के कारण, रोग-तंत्र और उपचार तक का विस्तृत वैज्ञानिक विश्लेषण प्रदान करता है। (PMC)
• “Pharmacological Trends in the Management of Atopic Dermatitis: A Comprehensive Review” – नवीन दवा-उन्मुख दिशाओं (biologics, JAK inhibitors आदि) का विस्तृत अध्ययन। (PubMed)
• Seborrheic dermatitis review – यह शोध बताता है कि Malassezia yeast और त्वचा सूजन किस प्रकार से SD (सेबोरिक डर्माटाइटिस) में भूमिका निभाते हैं तथा टॉपिकल उपचार के फार्मूलेशन का वैज्ञानिक विश्लेषण करता है। (ScienceDirect)
• Contact dermatitis discussions – Contact dermatitis को एलर्जी-जनित और इरिटेंट-जनित प्रतिक्रियाओं के रूप में वर्गीकृत करता है और रोग-तंत्र एवं उपचार में अंतर को स्पष्ट करता है। (ijppr.humanjournals.com)
Q: What is the main cause of skin diseases like Dermatitis in Ayurveda?
A: The primary causes are incompatible foods (Viruddha Ahara), such as eating fish with milk, excessive intake of sour and salty foods, suppressing the urge to vomit, and sudden temperature changes (like cold water after heat).
Q: Is Dermatitis contagious according to Ayurveda?
A: Yes, certain skin diseases (Kushtha) are considered contagious (Aupasargika). They can spread through contact, sharing clothes, or towels (Gatrasamsparsha).
Q: Which Panchakarma is best for Eczema?
A: Virechana (therapeutic purgation) is highly recommended for skin disorders like Eczema and Allergic Dermatitis because it expels Pitta and purifies the blood.
Q: Can stress cause dermatitis?
A: Ayurveda acknowledges that mental factors like fear (Bhaya) and fatigue (Shrama) can aggravate the Doshas, potentially contributing to skin issues.
Q: What herbs are used to wash the affected skin?
A: Decoctions made from Triphala (three fruits) or Neem leaves are commonly used to wash the skin to reduce infection and itching.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
Apr 7, 2026 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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