What Causes Eczema: Ayurvedic View on Skin Imbalance and Healing

Eczema can feel like this frustrating mystery — one day your skin's fine, and the next it’s flaring, burning, itching. You try a new eczema cream, switch out your laundry detergent, cut dairy, maybe even Google “eczema rash” for the thousandth time. But it keeps coming back, right? Especially eczema on the face, or even eczema on lips — those are the worst. They’re visible. You can’t hide them. It’s not just about discomfort; it’s about how you feel in your skin.

So, what causes eczema — really? Is it just genetics? Allergies? Soap? Or is there something deeper, something off-balance in your whole system?

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of healing, has a very different way of looking at this. Instead of chasing the symptom (the rash), it goes for the root (your inner imbalance). According to Ayurveda, skin issues like eczema are signs — little red flags that your digestion, emotions, and lifestyle might be out of sync. And instead of just suppressing the rash, it aims to restore balance gently, from the inside out.

Let’s walk through that together.

What Is Eczema in Ayurveda?

Eczema Meaning and Energetic Imbalance

In Ayurveda, eczema isn't just a “skin problem.” It’s called Vicharchika, and it’s seen as a manifestation of aggravated doshas — usually Pitta (fire) and Kapha (earth + water), though Vata (air) can get involved too. The combination varies from person to person. That’s key.

Think of eczema as your body’s way of saying, “Hey, something’s off in here.”

Pitta is about heat, and when it’s aggravated — boom — there’s inflammation, redness, and irritation. Kapha, when disturbed, brings thickness, oozing, or stubbornness to the rash. Vata adds dryness, cracking, and unpredictability.

So, when you get eczema on your face (especially with redness or burning), Ayurveda might say, “Ah, classic Pitta imbalance.” Eczema on lips? Similar — the skin is delicate there, and Pitta loves to show up in sensitive places.

Skin as a Reflection of Internal Agni

Your Agni — or digestive fire — is a central player in Ayurvedic thinking. If Agni is strong, you digest food well, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste. If Agni is weak or disturbed, Ama (toxins or undigested matter) builds up and can eventually show up... you guessed it... on your skin.

So when we’re talking about “what causes eczema,” Ayurveda might answer: Poor Agni, excess heat, emotional stress, and a backlog of toxins in the blood. Basically, eczema isn't just on the skin. It’s under it. Around it. In the system that feeds it.

What Causes Eczema According to Ayurveda

Poor Digestion and Ama Accumulation in the Blood

One of the biggest causes of eczema, from an Ayurvedic lens, is Ama — sticky, toxic buildup that forms from incomplete digestion. It enters the bloodstream, and since the skin is often where the body tries to “push out” impurities, you get eruptions, itchiness, and inflammation.

If you're eating foods that don’t suit your body — or even just eating at the wrong times — your Agni gets confused. Eczema, then, becomes a kind of side-effect of digestive miscommunication.

Emotional Triggers and Mental Heat

Let’s be honest: stress wrecks the skin. And Ayurveda agrees. High stress, overwork, unresolved anger — these all stoke Pitta dosha, leading to internal heat. And heat looks for a way out. That’s when eczema flares — sometimes overnight. Especially hand eczema, interestingly. Ayurveda views the hands as extension points of action and anxiety.

Have you ever noticed eczema showing up during emotional chaos? Like a breakup, job loss, or even just a string of bad sleep? That’s not a coincidence. Ayurveda gets that. It links mental turbulence directly with doshic imbalance.

Foods That Cause Eczema Flare-Ups

Oh, this one’s tricky — and personal. But some foods are almost always mentioned in Ayurvedic eczema treatment as things to reduce or avoid:

• Spicy and oily foods (they aggravate Pitta)

• Fermented or sour things — like vinegar or pickles (too much heat)

• Excess salt (hello inflammation)

• Dairy, especially when mucus-producing (Kapha overload)

• Processed sugar and fried stuff (Ama generators)

For some folks, even healthy things like tomatoes or citrus can be eczema triggers. Ayurveda would say: It depends on your constitution. But if you’re seeing a pattern with certain foods that cause eczema flare-ups, it's worth listening.

Different Types and Locations of Eczema

Here’s something I’ve noticed — not all eczema feels the same. And not just in a “dry vs. oozy” way. Eczema on the face feels different than hand eczema, which feels wildly different from scalp eczema. In Ayurveda, this makes total sense. Each location is governed by different doshas and energies. So, the approach? It has to shift accordingly.

Eczema on Face and Lips: Pitta Aggravation

Let’s start with the face — the most exposed, expressive, and, honestly, emotional part of our body. When eczema shows up here, especially with redness, heat, or swelling, Ayurveda screams: Pitta overload.

This kind of eczema tends to get worse in hot weather, with spicy foods, or when you’re emotionally charged (anger, frustration, you name it). Lips? Same story — delicate, heat-sensitive skin, highly reactive. Eczema on lips can crack, sting, and feel impossible to soothe with regular creams.

And I get it — you’ve probably tried every eczema cream from the pharmacy. But if the fire’s inside, putting lotion on the outside is like spraying water on a boiling pot. Temporary.

Hand Eczema and Contact Irritation

Hands are interesting. They're literally how we do life. In Ayurveda, they’re action centers — ruled often by Vata, sometimes Pitta. When eczema flares here, it’s not just about detergent or gloves (though yes, contact triggers matter). It's about what you’re handling in life.

Ayurvedic view? The dryness, cracking, or thickened skin often suggests Vata imbalance. But if there’s itching, redness, or stinging — Pitta’s crashing the party too.

Hand eczema can also relate to control issues, suppressed emotions, or just sheer overuse. Sometimes the skin screams when we don’t.

Scalp Eczema and Vata Imbalance

Now the scalp — this one’s tricky. People confuse scalp eczema with dandruff or psoriasis all the time. But in Ayurveda, dry, flaky scalp eczema often reflects aggravated Vata: dryness, erratic energy, and poor nourishment of the tissues.

You know that tight, itchy feeling under your hair that doesn’t go away? Classic Vata skin behavior.

Oil massage (like seriously, head massage with the right Ayurvedic oil) is not just indulgent — it’s medicine for this type. But again, we’ll get to that.

Ayurvedic Treatment and Daily Care for Eczema Relief

So — what can you actually do when your skin is crying for help?

This is where Ayurveda shines. It doesn’t just ask what causes eczema — it offers a whole system of healing. Not quick fixes. But steady, kind, daily practices.

Herbal Oils and Creams for Itching and Inflammation

Forget generic eczema creams for a sec. Ayurveda recommends herbal oils like:

• Neem oil – antibacterial, cooling, super cleansing.

• Kumari (Aloe Vera) – soothing and gentle.

• Manjistha – a blood purifier that helps eczema from both inside and out.

Creams made with these herbs can relieve itching, yes, but more importantly — they cool down the heat under the skin. Look for products with natural bases (no parabens or artificial fragrances), and ideally, prescribed by an Ayurvedic practitioner.

Cooling Herbs and Blood-Cleansing Formulas

Internally, it’s all about cleansing and pacifying. Pitta and Ama don’t just disappear on their own.

Popular Ayurvedic herbs for eczema include:

• Guduchi – an immunomodulator and blood cleanser.

• Triphala – gentle detox for the gut and liver.

• Turmeric – classic anti-inflammatory, especially when taken with ghee or warm water.

Sometimes formulas like Kaishore Guggulu or Arogyavardhini are used — but don’t self-prescribe. Work with a qualified Ayurvedic doctor. This stuff is potent.

Skin-Soothing Dinacharya and Lifestyle Routines

You want lasting change? Start with daily rhythm. Dinacharya is Ayurveda’s word for daily self-care rituals. And yes, it makes a difference.

• Start the day with warm water, not coffee. Flush out Ama gently.

• Oil massage (Abhyanga) before shower — especially sesame oil for Vata-type eczema or coconut oil for Pitta types.

• Avoid super hot showers — they aggravate Pitta and strip your skin’s barrier.

Basically: slow down. Touch your skin like you actually love it. Give it the calm and cool it’s craving.

What to Avoid During an Eczema Flare-Up

Look, when eczema is flaring — red, itchy, angry — you just want to do something. Fast. But sometimes the best thing to do is not do a bunch of things. Especially not the wrong ones.

Ayurveda is big on the concept of “removing the cause” before adding a remedy. So here’s what to avoid when your skin’s in meltdown mode.

Spicy, Salty, Sour Foods to Reduce

You’re going to hate this (I did), but during a flare-up, your favorite spicy noodles? Probably not your friend.

Pitta-aggravating foods — anything super spicy, sour (like vinegar, lemon, even tomatoes), and overly salty — pour fuel on the eczema fire. Ayurveda would say: “Cool it. Literally.”

Instead, opt for:

• Cooked vegetables

• Cooling herbs like coriander, fennel, and cilantro

• Mung dal and basmati rice

• Ghee — yeah, clarified butter. It soothes.

And while we’re here, be honest: are there certain foods that always seem to trigger your eczema? Keep a journal. Ayurveda isn’t anti-science — it just adds an intuitive layer.

Friction, Harsh Skincare, and Emotional Heat

Yes, friction can be physical (tight clothing, harsh towels, over-scrubbing), but it can also be emotional.

Ayurveda believes emotional rasas (flavors of experience) get stored in the body. Ever notice your eczema flares after a fight? Or a bad week? Stress equals heat equals inflammation.

So during a flare-up:

• Skip the exfoliants and over-cleansing.

• Wear breathable, natural fabrics.

• Limit screen time if it winds you up.

• Try self-oil massage (Abhyanga) with cooling oils — even if it feels weird at first.

Sometimes doing less is doing more.

Conclusion

If you’re dealing with eczema — especially if it keeps coming back no matter what cream you use — please know this: you’re not alone, and you’re not broken.

Ayurveda doesn’t offer a miracle pill or an overnight cure. But it does offer understanding. It sees you not as a skin condition, but as a whole person — digestion, emotion, history, and all.

What causes eczema, in this system, is imbalance. And what heals it? Balance. Through food, herbs, routine, rest, and self-awareness.

Start small. Eat to soothe. Slow your mornings. Get curious about your triggers. And when in doubt, ask for help — especially from someone trained in Ayurvedic medicine. Your skin is trying to talk to you. You don’t have to yell back. Just listen.

FAQs

Why does eczema appear on the face, lips, or scalp?
These areas are sensitive and highly reactive to Pitta dosha (heat) or Vata dosha (dryness and instability). Face and lips especially show signs of internal heat or emotional stress.

Can stress or digestion problems cause eczema?
Yes, absolutely. Ayurveda links weak digestion (Agni) and emotional stress to eczema flare-ups. Both create Ama (toxins) that the body tries to release — often through the skin.

What Ayurvedic remedies can calm itching and inflammation?
Herbs like Neem, Guduchi, and Turmeric are common. Oils such as coconut or neem oil soothe externally. Internally, blood-cleansing and Pitta-reducing herbs help — but it's best to personalize this with a practitioner.