TREATING PSORIASIS THROUGH AYURVEDA
Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease of the skin, which is non-infectious. It is characterized by reddish plaques with large sticky silvery scales. It is an abnormality in the skin caused by division of basal layers of the skin. This may cause severe itching sensation and dryness in the skin. Though about 3% of Indians are reported to suffer Psoriasis, it is more common in Americans and Europeans.

PSORIASIS is a group of chronic disorders characterised clinically by scaly erythematous plaques all over body. Histological studies reveal epidermal proliferation. Between 1% to 3% of most populations suffers with psoriasis, most common in EUROPE & NORTH AMERICA. Psoriasis vulgaris is one of the commonest type, whereas pustular psoriasis is rare. The mean age of onset of psoriasis is 27 years, but persons of all age groups from infancy to old age can be affected.

Etiological factors of this disease are unclear. Known precipitating factors include

• Trauma
• Infection (haemolytic streptococcal infection)
• Endocrine changes

The clinical features of psoriasis vulgaris are variable but characteristic. Lesions may occur anywhere on skin; mostly affected sites include elbows, knees, scalp, lumbosacral areas, intergluteal cleft and glans penis with nail involvement in almost 45% of cases as per our records. Mucosal involvement is very rare. The most common lesion, of psoriasis is plaque like lesion, characterised by well-demarcated pink or salmon coloured plaques surmounted by a loosely adherent silver white scale. Itching in the affected region is other most commonly found symptom in almost 90% of psoriasis patients, the intensity of which is so tremendous that patients scratches those plaques with the comb even. When the plaques are removed followed by itching there occur pinpoint bleeding spots. Plaque-type lesions may be large or very small, numerous or few. They may occur in annular, linear, gyrate or serpiginous configurations. Nail changes include pitting, dimpling, oncholysis, thickening and crumbling blackish or bluish coloured.

The earliest changes in psoriasis have recently been described to be the exocytose of neutrophillsinto the epidermis an even that appears to precede abnormal epidermal proliferation. This suggests that chemo attractant for neutrophills either immunologic or non-immunologic may be present in psoriatic epidermis, and that the epidermal proliferation so character.

Pustular psoriasis and psoriasis vulgaris show almost similar morphological changes, but the earlier may be life threatening sometimes.

Psoriatic arthritis is more commonly found as compared to other degenerative joint diseases including even rheumatoid arthritis. According to our research based studies of almost 1000 patients, there is prevalence of arthritis in 10% of psoriasis patients. Age of onset is similar as that of rheumatoid arthritis, with sex distribution slightly favouring women. The joint affection precedes the skin lesions in almost 10% of psoriasis patients as per our studies. Arthritis and skin lesions occurring simultaneously are very uncommon. But the arthritis & nail involvement often begin together. In general, the prognosis of psoriatic arthritis is far better than in rheumatoid arthritis, unless there is no such severe destructive form of psoriatic arthritis. The course of psoriatic arthritis is mild & affects only few joints.

In Ayurveda the reference of psoriasis comes under "KITIBHA KUSHTHA". According to Ayurvedic principles the elements (doshas) involved in the development of this disease are Vata & Kapha. The involvement of vata results in dry silvery or blackish plaques of psoriasis. Whereas itching in those affected areas is due to Kapha. But in some patients, initially having Pitta prakruti, hot flushes may occur. Thereby the treatment of psoriasis in Ayurveda is aimed at bringing these TRIDOSHA (3 elements) in proper proportion.

Management of psoriasis as per Modern Medicine aims at suppressing the symptoms. This includes drugs such as Methotraxate & some steroid based local applications.

Although the disease suppresses but as soon as the intake or application of those drugs is stopped it relapses. This leads to mental depression in such psoriasis patients, as this disease creates hurdle in their social lives & causes agony. Some psoriasis patients fed up of their disease try to end life.

An effective Ayurvedic treatment for this condition is “Panchakarma” which helps in detoxification of body fluids. Initially the person is given medicated ghee for about five to seven days, followed by inducing vomiting and detoxifying the body, a process known as Vamana and Virechana. Thereafter a procedure wherein medicated buttermilk is dripped overhead called Dhara is done, after which the entire body is pasted with mud and other medicines. Finally medicated enemas (Basthies) are given for a week and internal medications in the form of herbal concoctions and medicated ghee has to be consumed for at least three months.

During the entire treatment period certain diet restrictions has to be followed. Diet should be strictly vegetarian and yogurt, chillies, black gram and excess salt intake should be avoided. Refrigerated and cold foods should also be.