Ayurvedic management of Ekakushtha (Psoriasis): A case study

Abstract:

Ekakushtha, comparable to psoriasis, is a non-infectious, autoimmune, chronic inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by well-defined erythematous plaques with silvery scale occurring mainly on the extensor surface, scalp, and having a chronic course. It is relapsing in nature. It affects not only the physical state of the patient but also impacts mental and social life of the patient. A 17-year-old male patient presented to the Ayurveda outpatient department with complaints of itchy scaly lesions on the head, chest, abdomen, back, and bilateral upper and lower limbs from the past five years. He was diagnosed with Ekakushtha and Shamana chikitsa (~palliative procedures) was planned in the management. The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score was used to assess the outcome. The PASI score has decreased from 21.8 to 0.8. The present case report illustrates the significance of Ayurvedic treatment in the management of Ekakushtha, and the outcome infers that chronic, non-communicable, auto-immune diseases can be managed with Ayurveda approaches successfully.