AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF DADRU KUSHTHA WITH DADRUHARA MALAHARA PREPARED WITH SOMRAJI TAILA: A SINGLE CASE REPORT

Background: Dadru Kushtha is a skin disorder described in Ayurveda and is characterized predominantly by Kandu (itching), Raga (erythema/discolouration), Pidaka (eruptions) and Mandala (circumscribed lesions). Owing to similarities in clinical presentation, Dadru Kushtha may be clinically correlated with dermatophytosis. Aggravation under hot and humid conditions and the tendency for recurrence make its management clinically relevant. Case presentation: An 18-year-old male patient presented with skin lesions over the lower abdominal region for a duration of 6 weeks, associated predominantly with intense itching that was aggravated following sweating. On local examination, multiple well-defined annular to polycyclic hyperpigmented scaly plaques with prominent peripheral scaling were observed. Based on the characteristic Ayurvedic clinical features, the patient was diagnosed with Dadru Kushtha. The clinical morphology was suggestive of dermatophytosis; however, potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy and fungal culture were not performed. Intervention: The patient was treated with Dadruhara Malahara by local application as a thin layer over the clean and dry affected area three times daily for 28 days. Appropriate Pathya–Apathya measures were also advised. Outcome: At baseline, Kandu, Raga, Pidaka and Mandala size were graded 3, while the number of Mandala was graded 2. Following 28 days of treatment, Kandu, Raga, Pidaka, Mandala size and number of Mandala were recorded as grade 0. Conclusion: In this single case of Dadru Kushtha, topical application of Dadruhara Malahara for 28 days was associated with improvement in the assessed clinical parameters. As this observation represents a single case without mycological confirmation and with a limited post-treatment follow-up of one week, the findings cannot be generalized. Further controlled clinical studies incorporating objective diagnostic investigations and longer follow-up are warranted to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy.