A case report on Ayurveda management of Ekakushtha (~Psoriasis): An experience

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis that manifests as red scaly patches with white scales affecting all body areas including the scalp, elbows, knees, trunk, and buttocks. Its prevalence in India is about 2.3%, with males being affected twice as compared to females. Although many treatment options are available, the multifaceted etiology of the disease needs a multimodal treatment approach. Here, a case of 30-year-old male patient is presented with complaints of itching, dryness, redness, burning sensation, and erythematous plaques on the arm, genitals, knee, leg, and scalp for last three years. The patient had never undergone skin biopsy, but the Auspitz sign was positive. The treatment protocol was adopted as per Ayurveda modalities for Ekakushtha (~psoriasis) in which Shamana chikitsa (~palliative therapy) along with Nitya virechana (~therapeutic purgation on daily basis) and Nidana parivarjana (~avoidance of etiological factors) were recommended to the patient, in addition to diet and lifestyle modification. The Auspitz sign became negative, and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score was reduced from 32 to 0.6 with no recurrence after four months of discontinuation of medicine. The patient was cured completely without any adverse events after three-and-a-half months of treatment. This case highlights the potential efficacy of Ayurveda in managing the Ekakushtha .