Case Study – Psoriasis

Dr M. M. Mali
Sambhavna Trust Clinic
drmrithunjay@yahoo.co.in

Patient Name -Shaktiman

Age-8 years

Category-Contaminated water victim

Residence- Shivnagar                                                                           

      When his parents named him after Shaktiman, the popular TV serial character and an Indian version of Superman, little did they know that instead of fighting for other people in distress -- like his famous namesake – their child will instead be fighting a painful skin disease himself for a prolonged period and desperately looking for a Superman who can relieve him of the scourge.

         Eight-year-old Shaktiman, son of Kundan Lal, a tailor by profession, is suffering from a severe case of Psoriasis from the past six years. His parents are currently residents of the groundwater contamination affected slum neighborhood Shivnagar. But they have been staying in different rented houses in the other nearby neighborhoods and Shaktiman was also born here.

      His mother Madhu says the disease started with a couple of spots on Shaktiman's back. Initially taking it as a minor skin ailment, the child was taken to general medical practitioners who prescribed some ointments and tablets. The medicines provided temporary relief but the ailment was never cured completely, she adds.

             The disease then started spreading to other parts of his body and during the past six years it has covered his back, chest, stomach and legs. Shaktiman suffers severe itching and even bleeds when he scratches the spots during sleep. He also started bed-wetting which he never did before he was afflicted by the disease. He wakes up in nights and cries often because of itching and pain, Madhu says.  

 Dr M. M. Mali’s comments :

     Psoriasis can be compared to Kitibh kushtha  which is one of the 18 types of kushtha explained in classical Ayurvedic texts .

Shaktiman was treated for Kitibh kushtha with  a combination of Aloe Vera, Haridra (turmeric) and Neem and coconut oil for external application. We also gave him Giloy Satva (Tinospora cordifolia extract)  along with Aswagandha powder taken with honey on empty stomach twice daily –with tablets of KaishoraGuggulu.(Ingredients:guggulu,triphala,guduchi,trikatu,vidanga,trivrit,dantimoola,ghrita). He was advised to take bath with Triphala  powder once a day. He was advised to cut down  sugar and salt intake and avoid Besan (gram flour), green chilly and spices in his diet.             

     Shaktiman was cured of psoriasis and the result is evident from the accompanying photographs.

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