“AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF PITYRIASIS ALBA (SIDHMA KUSTHA): A CASE STUDY”

A skin rash that sometimes begins as a large spot on the chest, abdomen, hands or back, followed by a pattern of smaller lesions. Pityriasis refers to hypopigmentation of skin. Pityriasis alba has symptoms like ill-defined, round and oval patches, often with mild scaling and sometimes with mild pruritus. They are most commonly noticeable in people with darker skin types. Clinical examination shows decreased melanin production in affected areas. Pityriasis alba is commonly caused by atrophic sebaceous glands, iron deficiency anaemia, low levels of serum copper and sun exposure. It occurs commonly in children aged 3-16 years, with 90% occurring in children younger than 12 years. An estimated 5% of children in the US may be affected. Studies have shown a higher prevalence in Egypt (18%) and Mali (20%). There is no clear racial predominance of pityriasis alba found. The duration of the rash is variable. According to Acharya Sushruta, Sidhma Kustha is a kapha pradhana vyadhi that most commonly occurs in Urdhva kaya, i.e., hasta, ura, mukha and lalata. Diseases start with mild kandu and result in the formation of thin white patches without pain.