Impact of individualised homoeopathy in plaque psoriasis – A case report

Abstract

Psoriasis, a papulosquamous skin lesion, is one of the most common autoimmune multisystemic disorders. Beyond the physical dimension of the disorder, it has a profound effect on the emotional and psychological faculty of the patient which can result in poor self-esteem, stigmatisation, and a stressful mental state affecting social-functioning and interpersonal relationships. Homoeopathy being a holistic science having a bio-psychosocial approach can manage cases of psoriasis effectively. A 43-year-old female attended the National Institute of Homoeopathy Outpatient Department with complaints of multiple circumscribed skin lesions over the scalp, back and extremities for 25 years. After a thorough evaluation of the case, the Arsenicum album was prescribed in 50 millesimal potency. There was a steady clinical improvement in the case and a reduction in the psoriasis area and severity index score. After 6 months of observation following the disappearance of symptoms, there was absolutely no recurrence of psoriatic skin lesions. This case report shows favourable outcomes with individualised homoeopathic treatment. However, a conclusive judgement regarding the efficacy of homoeopathic medications in treating plaque psoriasis cannot be made based on a single case. To evaluate the efficacy of individualised homoeopathic medicine, a large-scale randomised study is suggested.