MANAGEMENT OF HAND ECZEMA (VICHARCHIKA) THROUGH AYURVEDA: A CASE STUDY

Eczema is referred to as "atopic dermatitis." It's a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised by itchy, red, and dry skin and sometimes scaly patches of skin. These patches may become thickened, cracked, or scaly and can occur anywhere on the body. Eczema often involves periods of flare-ups and remissions and can vary from mild to severe. It is considered a type of allergic or atopic condition, and it's commonly associated with other allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever. Eczema resembles Vicharchika in Ayurveda. The signs and symptoms of Vicharchika are kandu (itching), pidika (papule), shyava varna (blackish-brown discolouration), and bahusrava (excessive exudation). Case summary: A 29-year-old female patient approached Kayachikitsa Skin OPD with complaints of dry, scaly skin lesions over bilateral palms with redness, cracking, and occasional discharge from lesions associated with severe itching for 10 years; symptoms have aggravated for 15 days. Based on signs and symptoms, an Ayurvedic diagnosis was made as Vicharchika (hand eczema). The subject was given deepana (appetiser)-pachana (carminative), bahya rukshana karma (external dehydrating therapy), then snehapana (internal oleation), followed by Virechana (purgation therapy), and shamana aushadhis (oral medications). The subject showed improvement in signs and symptoms, EASI and DLQI scores.