Role of Ayurveda in the Management of Kitibha Kushtha: A Case Report

Abstract Nowadays, people are more conscious about external beauty compared to internal beauty. Usually, 10%–15% of cases presented before general practitioners are pertaining to skin diseases. Incompatible food, increased stress, and a sedentary lifestyle are the main predisposing factors for skin diseases. All the skin diseases in Ayurveda have been discussed under the broad heading of Kushtha (~various skin diseases). Kitibha Kushtha (~a type of skin disease categorized under Kushṭha with rough dry skin) is one among Kshudra Kushtha . This paper is a case study of Kitibha Kushtha (a 20-year-old female patient). The patient came with chief complaints of brownish-black scaly rough thickened skin lesions on both cheeks, associated with itching for the past 1 month. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Ayurvedic Shamana Chikitsa (~palliative procedure) in Kitibha Kushtha and to introduce a drug or formulation in Kitibha Kushtha which is safe, easily available, and cost-effective. In this case, depending on Nidana (~etiological factors) and Lakshana (~signs and symptoms), it was diagnosed as Kitibha Kushtha . After starting the treatment, the symptoms decreased within 1 month. In the period of 3 months, the patient showed significant improvement with no signs of recurrence. This case study is documented evidence of the successful management of Kitibha Kushtha through Ayurvedic Shamana Chikitsa .