Chronic palmoplantar psoriasis management through Ayurveda: A case study

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin ailment described by thickened, silvery-scaled patches. It has been related with inflammatory and immune mechanisms, probably associated with a genetic predisposition that can be triggered by stress. Psoriasis can badly influence the quality of life of patients. Various medicines are available, which may permit transient improvement and long-haul control of the sickness; however, these measures do not completely cure psoriasis. This study reports the case of a 58-year-old married male patient who presented at the skin outpatient department (OPD), All India Institute of Ayurveda, with severe palmoplantar psoriasis (PPP), and had been managed with Ayurveda medicines and three times of Virechana Karma (medicated purgation) along with control diet and yoga since the last 16 months. After adherence to prescribed treatment for the last 16 months, the patient responded with complete resolution of psoriatic patches on his body. The efficacy of treatment was measured by “Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI)” scale. Total two assessments were carried out before starting Ayurveda treatment and after completion of 16 months of treatment based on the scoring of PASI, and it was found that the score reduced by 95.5%, from 9.1 to 0.4. Virechana Karma (medicated purgation) is very effective in providing relief in the signs and symptoms of chronic PPP. Hence, it may be concluded that classical Ayurveda measures are helpful to the patients with chronic PPP to achieve complete cure. Present findings can only be generalized when large sample study is undertaken.