Management of Dadru Kushta (Tinea corporis) through Ayurveda– A Case Study

Abstract

Skin is the largest organ of human body. Its size and external location makes it susceptible to various disorders. Skin diseases are mostly caused by infections like bacteria, fungi etc. All the skin diseases in Ayurveda have been classified under the broad heading of ‘Kushta’ which are further classified into Mahakushta and Kshudrakushta.  Dadru is one amongst them. It is Raktapradoshaja vyadhi having kapha, pitta dominance. Due to similarity of all symptoms Dadru can be very well correlated with Tinea corporis which is a fungal infection especially caused due to poor hygienic conditions. In Ayurveda Shodhan and Shaman chikitsa is mainly indicated in Kushtha. A 50 yrs old female came with complaints of round and reddish patches over abdominal region with severe itching for 20 days. She was treated with Arogyavardhini vati, Gandhak rasayan, Gomutra siddha haritaki internally and Karanj oil and S-kin powder externally for 14 days. After completion of treatment, significant improvement was observed in the parameters like Kandu (itching), Raaga (Erythema), Pidika (eruptions) and Utsaana mandala (elevated circular skin lesion). In Samhita repeated shodhana is indicated in Kushtha hence nityavirechana in the form of   Gomutra siddha haritaki was given. Arogyavardhini vati, Gandhak  rasayan, Karanj oil and S-kin powder having Kushtaghna, Kandughana and Krumighna properties help in elimination of aggravated doshaja thus breaks the samprapti of the vyadhi. From this case study it can be concluded that Ayurvedic formulations are effective in the management of Dadru kushta.