Ecthyma is ulceration of the skin because of streptococci bacterial infection. This condition usually presents in the form of all vesicle or pustule or ulceration which is accompanied by enlarged regional lymph nodes. Ecthyma is usually seen in children, diabetic persons, and neglected elderly patients. Injury, high temperature and humidity, unhygienic conditions and a compromised immune status are risk factors for ecthyma, which usually heals slowly and commonly produces a scar. Ecthyma is usually treated in the modern system of medicines with the appropriate antibiotics, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for ecthyma involves treating the infection, reducing inflammation, can bring about an early healing of the lesions. Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a good anti-inflammatory action are used for the treatment of ecthyma; these treat both the infection as well as inflammation, and heal the ulcer, usually without scarring. Ayurvedic herbal medicines can also be utilised to boost the immunity of the affected individual, so that ecthyma is cured easily and in much lesser time, and recurrence of the condition can also be avoided.
People who have recurrent ecthyma need to be given Ayurvedic herbal medicines for longer duration in order to treat infection, prevent recurrence, strengthen the immunity of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, and improve the immune status of the person, so that bacterial infection cannot take place easily. It is equally important to educate the affected individual as well as the caregivers to improve the hygiene and nutrition of the affected individual. With these steps, ecthyma can usually be treated completely and successfully with Ayurvedic herbal treatment, and also ensure that no recurrence takes place.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
