AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF INDRALUPTA (ALOPECIA AREATA) IN CHILDREN: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Purpose: Alopecia areata is a condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body, usually from the scalp. Because it causes bald spots on the scalp, especially in the first stages, it is sometimes called spot baldness. In Ayurveda, this condition can be correlated with Indralupta. Indralupta is a raktapradoshaja vikara characterized by hair loss and has been mentioned underneath the caption of Kshudraroga by Acharya Sushruta. Method: This is a single case study of a 12-year-old boy suffering from a hair loss patch on the scalp along with itching and anorexia (associated complaint) with irregular bowel habits visited the Ayurveda OPD (Registration No 6856) at cantonment General Hospital, Kamptee, Nagpur. As per Ayurveda, this case was treated in the line of Indralupta. The treatment regimen includes nasya karma with Anu taila and shamana chikitsa for 60 days. The assessment was done based on symptoms and photography. Result: The hair eruption started from patches of the scalp. In this case, hair regrowth from the hair follicle was evident within 15 days of treatment. No adverse reactions were reported or observed during the treatment period. Conclusion: This case report showed that combined Ayurveda modalities resulted in remarkable improvement in the patient's overall condition with no side effects.