Dealing with Skin Irritation

Our lifestyle is sometimes the root cause of skin irritation. Skin allergies manifest themselves in not-so-pleasant ways, ranging from hives, rashes, urticaria, and burning eyes, to allergic types of dermatitis and eczema. According to Ayurveda these have one thing in common- they are a reaction to an overload of heat in the system. These eruptions are your skin’s way of saying that it is feeling hot and angry.

So it is time to find out what is causing the heat in the body. Usually, it is exposure to anything that is ‘hot’ in nature, especially very spicy food. Stop your consumption of chillies and garam masala.

Skin eruptions happen when the skin gets clogged with toxins. This could result from poor eating habits, such as bingeing on sweets, fried food or salty snacks. Irregular meals also throw the digestive system out of gear resulting in accumulation of toxins, which is called ‘ama’ in Ayurvedic vocabulary. Detoxification isn’t difficult. First, list the foods that you consume frequently. Among these, you are sure to spot a few culprits- ups of coffee, potatoes, rice and sugar.

Once you determine what is causing the toxin in the body, proceed to cut down on these, but don’t be too hard on your self. Food habits are caused over a long time and it is difficult to shed them fast. Start by saying no to your next cup of coffee or dessert. Eat light food especially during summers. Have fresh fruits, juices, vegetable soups, salads in plenty. But don’t cut down on carbohydrates completely. Follow a healthy eating routine. By doing this not only will the eruptions subside, you will also be rewarded with radiant glow.

Catch up with your sleep. Sleep for at least eight hours a day. It is important to give your skin the rest and rejuvenation it craves. Give it lots of care. If your sleep is frequently interrupted or is not enough, our body has less time to repair and replenish itself. If you deprive your skin of enough sleep, skin will become prone to irritation and premature ageing. Wash your face with mild face wash or gram flour before going to bed. Do not over do anything. Apply a moisturizer or night cream gently on the face.