Is your lifestyle the root cause of your skin irritation? Find out how Ayurveda can help. By Shubhra Krishan

Got a skin allergy? Your local dermatologist might send you home with a pill and an ointment, but visit a 'vaidya', and he'll give you a lecture on the importance of improving your lifestyle. This might seem illogical, but think about it. When a gardener spots wilting leaves on his plant, does he water the surface? No! He nourishes the root. Similarly, ayurvedic physicians believe that your skin problems originate much deeper beneath the layer of skin that you can actually see.

So, how does a 'vaidya' pacify an angry patch of skin? With 'jadi-bootis' and pastes? Those too, but primarily, the 'vaidya' will give you a three-fold prescription. If you follow his advice, you'll achieve much more than taming your allergies - you'll master the mantra to staying fit for life. Here are some gems of wisdom from the ayurvedic treasury.

Cool Down Your Angry Skin
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. In technical terms, 'vaidyas' say these allergies happen when there is excess 'pitta' in your system. In other words, these eruptions are your skin's way of saying that it is feeling hot and angry!

So find out what triggers off that anger in the first place. Usually, it's exposure to anything that is 'hot' in nature, especially very spicy food. The first line of treatment: Stop eating curries and 'kormas' laden with chillies and garam masala.

Detox On The Double
Allergies are also your body's way of telling you it feels clogged with toxins. This could result from poor eating habits, such as bingeing on sweets, fried foods, or salty snacks. Irregular meals also throw the digestive system out of gear resulting in the accumulation of toxins, which are called 'ama' in Ayurvedic vocabulary.
Detoxification isn't difficult. First, list the foods that you consume frequently. Among these, you're sure to spot a few culprits - cups of coffee, an undue fondness for potatoes, rice and desserts.

Now, proceed to cut down on these. Don't be too hard on yourself - food habits are formed over a long time, and it is unrealistic to expect to shed them in a flash. Start by saying 'No' to your next cup of coffee or a second helping of cake. Drink warm water, which will flush out the debris from your bloodstream.

Treat yourself to some delicious, healthy herbal teas, which help detox. Needless to add, eat light - more of fresh, juicy fruits, lightly cooked or raw veggies, soups, salads, 'dals' flavoured with cooling spices - these will nourish you without adding bulk. Within days of following this kind of healthy eating routine, your skin will respond - not only will those inflammations subside, you'll also be rewarded with a radiant glow.

Heal Your Skin With Sleep
Don't give those allergies a chance to attack you. Your best defence is to give your skin the rest and rejuvenation it craves. Remember, it is the largest organ of your body and needs every inch of care you can give it. During the deepest stage of sleep, your body releases growth hormones for cell repair. If your sleep is frequently interrupted or is not enough, your body has less time to repair and replenish itself. Without this regenerative effect, your skin's texture, thickness, and elasticity diminish. As a result, skin becomes prone to irritation and premature ageing. Why subject your skin to such torment when you can easily protect it by curling up in bed? Each time you do this, you're helping the skin's two protein fibres, collagen and elastin, retain their youthfulness and strength. Some bedtime tips that will keep your skin smiling:
• Wash your face with a soap-free product before going to bed, pat dry.
• Then, gently moisturise.
• Sleep on your back to reduce morning puffiness.
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and food close to bedtime.
• Don't exercise too close to bedtime - a gap of at least three hours before you retire is a must.
• Establish a relaxing bedtime routine. Turn on soft music, dim the lights, and climb between the sheets with a good book. Just by following these simple, healing steps, you'll keep your skin feeling happy and healthy for a lifetime.

Healing Spices
These contain allergy-fighting chemicals that include flavonoids and phenols, for example:
• Turmeric is anti-allergic.
• Cumin ('jeera') is anti-inflammatory, helps regulate your digestion and balance the flow of bile. It also stops the creation of toxic residues in the body.
• Coriander ('dhaniya') cools and helps the body's cells shed accumulated toxins.
• Fennel ('saunf') cools, and neutralises the effect of 'hot' spices. So if you've succumbed to the temptation of spicy 'chaat' or curry, don't worry! Munch on a few grains of fennel, to pacify your stomach and your skin. As a bonus, your mouth will smell fresh, too.
• Ginger opens up the body's clogged pores by flushing out debris.
• Black pepper is cleansing and helps the body absorb nutrients from food and prevents toxins from building up.

But before you head for the kitchen to dish up a meal with these spices, a word of caution: Even the most healing spices won't work their magic if you cook them in a dish loaded with grease. Oil-rich foods aggravate the 'heated' feeling in your body that cause those unsightly break outs. But again, there is a delicious alternative to oil. 'Vaidyas' suggest sautéing a combination of ground turmeric, cumin and coriander in ghee and using the mixture to season your vegetables.