Seeking Relief for My Dad's Persistent Itchy Back - #39919

Chronic back itching in someone who is 89 is usually due to very dry Teen ageing skin combined with nerve irritation. So steroid creams stop helping because the problem is not information but lack of moisture and weak nerve signals. The simplest and most effective approach is to stop all strong soaps. use only water bath. And apply a clear of plain coconut oil, almond oil or sesame oil and a fragrance free free moisturiser, twice a day and at night, you can mix a little coconut oil with a pinch of baking soda or pizza size of aloe vera gel and apply over the itchy area to calm the Nehru keep his clothes, soft cotton wash them with detergent. Avoid hot showers, and if the itching is worse at night, give Haridra khand half teaspoon with warm water after meals Neem capsule one tablet twice daily after meals Meanwhile once get his routine blood test done cbc LFT RFT uric acid sr calcium vit D leavels vit B12 blood sugar thyroid profile and us abdomen to rule out any underlying issues

Hello I understand how distressing it must be for your father to live with persistent back itching, especially at his age. But dont worry we are here to help you out😊

Even though cortisone may give short-term relief, it does not address the root cause — internal dryness, heat, and blood vitiation.

✅ AYURVEDIC TREATMENT PLAN

✅INTERNAL MEDICATION

1. Manjisthadi Kwath – 20 ml twice daily with equal water after meals (Purifies blood and reduces itching and rashes.)

2. Draksharishta – 15 ml after lunch and dinner ( Improves vitality, digestion, and calms the nervous system.)

3. Arogya Vardhini Vati – 1 tablet twice daily after meals ( Supports liver detoxification and skin health.)

4. Gandhak Rasayan – 1 tablet twice daily with milk ( Acts as a natural antihistamine and reduces chronic itching.)

✅EXTERNAL CARE

👉Medicated Oils (For Daily Use)

1. Eladi Taila – Warm slightly and apply gently over the back once or twice daily. ( Relieves dryness, nourishes skin, and soothes itching.)

2. Aloe vera gel (fresh or natural one) at bedtime can be applied if itching is intense. (Cooling and anti-inflammatory.)

3. Avoid hot water baths – Use lukewarm water with a pinch of turmeric instead. ( Prevents skin dryness and reduces bacterial growth.)

✅HOME REMEDIES

1. Neem leaf decoction bath: Boil 10–15 neem leaves in 2 liters of water, let cool, and use for bathing. ( Antibacterial and soothing.)

2. Oats + Rose water pack: Mix 2 tbsp oatmeal powder + rose water → apply for 15 mins on itchy area, then rinse. ( Reduces irritation and nourishes dry skin.(

3. Coconut oil + Camphor (1 pinch) Mix and apply gently once daily (only if skin not open/raw). ( Relieves severe itching instantly.)

✅ DIET & LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION

✅ Recommended

Include ghee, coconut water, amla juice, and buttermilk in diet. Eat light, freshly cooked food – avoid spicy, sour, or fermented items. Drink 2–3 liters of lukewarm water daily.

❌ Avoid

Hot, spicy foods (increases Pitta). Excess tea, coffee, or alcohol. Using harsh soaps or hot water.

✅ LIFESTYLE SUPPORT

Keep his room cool, airy, and humidified to avoid skin dryness. Encourage gentle oil massage before bath (Abhyanga) thrice a week. Ensure soft cotton clothing and avoid woolen garments directly on skin. If constipation is present (common in elderly), give Triphala Churna ½ tsp at bedtime with warm water — it also reduces internal heat and skin itching

At his age, gentle external care and cooling internal herbs are safest. Avoid strong or heating therapies. If itching persists, check for blood sugar, liver, or kidney function, as internal imbalance can manifest as skin irritation.

Wishing your father a good health😊

Warm regards, Dr. Snehal Vidhate

Start with Aarogyavardhini 1-0-1 after food with water Kamdudharas 1-0-1 after food with water Mahamanjistadi kadha 15 ml twice daily after food with water Kishore Triphala tablet 0-0-2 at bedtime with water.guggul 1-0-1 after food with water Apply Karanj oil on back and itchy area twice daily Take bath with neem kwath water. Avoid seafood eggs if non-vegetarian. Avoid sour fermented foods.

1.Guduchi satva 250 mg once daily with honey or warm water 2.Eladi churna 1 gm once daily with honey or warm water 3.Khadirarishta 20 ml with 20 ml water twice daily

External Application 🔸 Nalpamaradi Tailam (नालपामरादि तैल) - Use: Apply gently on the back once daily before bath. - Duration: Daily for 3–4 weeks.

🔸 Coconut oil + Camphor (नारियल तेल + कपूर) - Use: Mix and apply at night for cooling effect. - Note: Use sparingly and avoid broken skin.

🧘‍♂️ Supportive Lifestyle Tips - Use cotton clothing and avoid synthetic fabrics. - Bathe with neem leaf decoction or triphala water. - Avoid spicy, sour, and fermented foods. - Include moong dal, ghee, and seasonal fruits in diet.

Itchy back, especially in the elderly, can stem from various reasons — dryness, allergies, or heat imbalances according to Ayurveda. Let’s try some natural approaches that might help soothe this discomfort. First, consider that the Vata dosha, associated with dry and rough qualities, might be imbalanced in your dad’s case, causing the itchiness.

Start with a very simple change — he can apply a sesame oil before his bath. Sesame oil is nourishing and helps balance vata. Warm the oil slightly and let it sit on the skin for about 15–20 minutes. After that, he can take a lukewarm bath. Avoid hot water as it can further aggravate dryness. Pat the skin gently with a soft towel instead of rubbing it vigorously.

Include more hydrating foods in his diet, like cooked vegetables with a bit of ghee, which nourishes the tissues internally. Moderation is key here — no need for heavy or over-fried foods. Also consider a herbal tea, such as chamomile or fennel, before bedtime to calm down the system.

Consider introducing him to simple mindfulness or breathing exercises. Sometimes, stress exacerbates itchiness. Even a few minutes of deep breathing can bring some balance.

A key point is to check his washing routine. What kind of soap is he using? Is his laundry detergent too harsh? Aim for mild, hypoallergenic varieties; these small thing can make a big difference.

If the condition persists despite making these changes, or if there are signs such as rashes, sores, or infection, it might be urgent to path-check with medical professionals for more targeted intervention. Prolonged itch might sometimes indicate deeper issues. Keep an eye on any accompanying symptoms like tiredness, swelling, or unexplained weight loss, and in those cases, immediate medical attention is warranted.

Neem capsule 1-0-1 Kaishore guggulu 1-0-1 Mahamanjistadi aristha 10-0-10 ml with equal water Haridra khand 1/2-0-1/2 tsp with warm water after meals Apply coconut oil and massage whole body before bath Apply aloe Vera gel daily

Internal Medicines 1 Manjisthadi Kashayam: 10 ml + 20 ml warm water twice daily after meals. 2 Arogyavardhini Vati: ½ tab morning after meals. 3 Guduchi Churna: 2 gm night with warm water. 4 Kamadhudha Ras (plain): 125 mg twice daily with water.

External Applications Nalpamaradi Taila + Jatyadi Ghrita (1:1): Apply on back → gentle massage 10 min → twice daily.

Diet Give only: Moong khichdi + 1 tsp ghee. Pomegranate, coconut water. Warm water sip every 30 min (1.5 L total).

Avoid completely: Spicy, sour, fried food. Wool/synthetic clothes.

Lifestyle Wear cotton; change daily. Avoid scratching – use soft cloth. Sleep 9 PM – 5 AM.

Regards Dr Gursimran Jeet Singh MD Panchakarma

When persistent itchiness becomes a chronic issue, as in your dad’s case, it’s important first to check for any underlying health conditions. Conditions such as diabetes, liver or kidney problems, and thyroid issues can contribute to chronic itching. Assuming these are ruled out and focusing on Siddha-Ayurvedic insights, itchy skin can often be associated with an imbalance in the Pitta dosha, which governs heat and metabolic processes.

One practical approach is to incorporate cooling and calming substances both topically and internally. For instance, applying coconut oil mixed with a bit of neem oil on the affected area can help soothe irritation, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Gently warm the oils before application for better absorption into the skin. This can be done daily, especially before bathing.

On the dietary front, encourage your dad to consume Pitta-pacifying foods. These include cooling, sweet, and easily digestible foods like cucumber, melon, fennel, coriander, and amaranth. Reducing spicy, acidic, and fermented foods can mitigate the aggravation of Pitta, which could be exacerbating the itchiness.

Additionally, keeping well-hydrated is essential to support the skin’s natural barrier function. Drinking herbal teas with ingredients such as mint or fennel seed might be beneficial.

If practical, a gentle body scrub using a paste of chickpea flour and water applied during showering can help remove dead skin cells and allow the skin to breathe. However, avoid scrubs if the skin feels raw or irritated. Also, light Breathing exercises (Pranayama) can provide systemic cooling and ease stress-related itch.

Please ensure he consults with his healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation if symptoms persist, especially considering his age, since chronic itching can be linked to more complex health concerns beyond skin conditions.

HELLO,

EXTERNAL APPLICATION -NEEM OIL + COCONUT OIL apply gently once daily =reduces itching, dryness, and inflammation

ALOE VERA GEL PURE -apply twice daily for cooling and soothing

BATH WITH NEEM / OATMEAL WATER -boil a handful of neem leaves OR add oatmeal to warm bath water

INTERNALLY

1) GANDHAK RASAYANA= 1 tab twice daily after meals =excellent for chronic itching

2) AROGYAVARDHINI VATI= 1 tab twice daily after meals =excellent for chronic itching

3) AVIPATTIKAR CHURNA= 1/2 tsp at bedtime with warm water =helps reduce pitta and body heat

DIET -coconut water ghee 1/2 tsp daily -warm water

avoid -spicyy foods, pickles -sour foods -excess tea/coffee

Keep skin moisturised with coconut oil after bathing

THANK YOU

DR. HEMANSHU MEHTA