Skin patches result from disturbances in the skin pigmentation. This can be due to different causes such as trauma, infection, vascular growths, and skin diseases. An increase in the skin pigmentation can cause darkening of the skin, whereas a decrease in the pigmentation can cause light patches on the skin. Exposure to the sun and contact with chemicals and cosmetics can also cause skin patches. The treatment of skin patches depends upon the known cause for the condition. The modern management of this condition is usually in the form of local application of different types of ointments.
The Ayurvedic treatment of skin patches involves the use of herbal medicines which act on the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, and the underlying muscle and vascular structure. Ayurvedic treatment also aims to remove impurities and toxins from the blood so as to permanently treat the skin patches and prevent recurrence. In some individuals who have recurrent skin patches, there may also be a need to boost the immunity so that recurrent viral and bacterial infections can be avoided.
Most of the Ayurvedic herbal medicines which are useful in the treatment of skin patches have a multipronged action useful in all sort of skin diseases. These medicines are useful in improving the immunity of the skin and underlying tissues, so that recurrent infections can be prevented. They also reduce vascular growths and normalize the action of the skin pigment. In addition, they normalize the circulation in the affected area, so that any abnormality present in the skin and underlying tissue can be gradually corrected through the blood flow.
Skin patches, both dark as well as light, can be treated completely with the regular use of Ayurvedic medicines for periods ranging from 1 to 6 months. The response of different individuals to the medicines can be different; hence the wide range in the duration of treatment. Local applications are also very important in the treatment of skin patches. Dark skin patches require different ointments while light skin patches naturally require different medicines to be applied locally. Ointments required for dark skin patches are usually soothing in nature and work to reduce the pigment in the area. On the other hand, ointments which are useful in the treatment of light skin patches are more strong and irritant in nature, and serve to increase the pigment in the affected area.
Some people affected with multiple skin patches all over the body may need generalised treatment to treat the skin and blood abnormalities and to boost the overall immunity of the body.
Ayurvedic Herbal medicines can thus be judiciously utilised to treat skin patches.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
