Ayurvedic management of non-healing ulcer caused by viper bite: A case report

Abstract

The development of non-healing ulcers following viper snakebite is very common in victims who survive the bite, and severity of symptoms depends on the venom's potency. Swelling of the bitten part and spreading cellulitis are the common manifestations. In the event of recovery, surviving victims may develop necrosis of the skin, muscles, tendons, and even bones. Various secondary infections leading to suppuration and gangrene may necessitate amputation to avoid further complications. It becomes obligatory to take proper care of local suppurative lesions infected secondarily by a variety of bacteria. A 38-year-old male farmer reported to the outpatient department with complaints of nonhealing ulcer on dorsum of the right foot since three months associated with swelling around the ulcer up to knee, pain, with burning sensation, and discoloration around the ulcer. Initially, ulcer was treated with conventional protocol by local hospital; however, the ulcer was not healed even after three months. Thus, victim visited Ayurveda hospital for further management. Ulcer was managed using Ayurvedic principles including local treatments namely paste made up of Dhattura (Datura metel Linn.) and Nimba (Azadirachta indica Linn), Parantyadi taila pichu and oral administration of Bilavdi agada, Maha manjishtadi kashaya, and Gandhaka rasayana. This treatment protocol has shown significant results with complete healing of ulcer in three months.