Ayurvedic management of Kitibha Kustha w.s.r. to Lichen Simplex Chronicus - A Case Report

Skin disorders are very common and their burden on population is significant. Skin diseases are rarely fatal but due to chronicity of disease it causes considerable distress to patient. Eczema or dermatitis is a group of inflammatory skin diseases provoked by a wide variety of stimuli, i.e. direct injury from toxic chemicals, mechanical trauma and immunological reactions. Chronic Eczema is represented by severe itching, hyperkeratosis and lichenification. Lichen simplex chronicus one of the characteristic examples of chronic eczema. It is a skin condition characterized by chronic itching and scratching that leads to thickened [hypertrophied], hyperpigmented plaques with increased skin marking. Acharya Charaka Described Kitibha Kustha in context of Kshudra Kustha. The skin lesions in Kitibha Kustha are blackish [hyperpigmented], rough in touch like scar [hypertrophied], Dry & hard on touch. there is predominance of Vata-Kapha Dosha in Kitibha Kustha. The clinical presentation of Kitibha Kustha is resembling with lichen simplex chronicus. We have successfully treated this case of Lichen simplex chronicus with Shaman Snehapana, Jalauka-Awacharan, Khadira Lepa with Jatyadi Taila and Kashayapana.