Ayurvedic Treatment for SCALP PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a deadly chronic skin disease of auto-immune nature. In modern days, due to increased stress & altered diet & unhealthy lifestyle, cases of psoriasis increase and the prognosis is very poor. The social stigma caused by this long-term skin disease is still on the high. Psoriasis causes an important role in the cosmetic aspect, especially in children and youngsters. The most reason for considering this disease as a curse, is that it has no effective & permanent cure or prevention. The scaly skin lesions which are the most obvious sign, may reduce or change site but they can not be permanently cured. Usually, the disease affects the whole body but the lesions are predominantly seen in joints, back of thighs or such areas.  45 to 56 percent of people living with psoriasis have scalp psoriasis. It can affect the scalp, hairline, forehead, back of the neck and skin around the ears. Scalp psoriasis may be an indicator of psoriatic arthritis (Psoriatic arthritis), as many people have both.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS of Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriatic lesions on the scalp are usually asymmetrical and sharply demarcated, and exhibit silvery‐white scales with pain, itching, or bleeding resulting the person in feelings of embarrassment, and restricting clothing choices.

CAUSES of Scalp Psoriasis

Exact cause is unknown. Following factors are considered to play a role in the development of psoriasis.

• Family history
• Obesity
• Stress
• Viral and bacterial infections

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY of Scalp Psoriasis

The skin cells on the scalp grow too quickly and make powdery or thick scales called plaques. The areas around them can be red and itchy. The pathogenesis of psoriasis includes increased production of inflammatory cytokines leading to hyperkeratosis. Briefly, interleukin (IL)‐23 and IL‐12 are produced by myeloid dendritic cells, and these cytokines activate naïve T cells to differentiate into Th1, Th17, and Th22 cells, which then produce cytokines causing the development of plaques such as IL‐17, IL‐22, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and interferon‐γ.

DIAGNOSIS of Scalp Psoriasis

Clinical examination

Skin biopsy

TREATMENTS of Scalp Psoriasis

Mostly used treatments for scalp psoriasis include topical application of medications with vitamin D analogs, corticosteroids, and coal tar.

PROGNOSIS of Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis can be difficult to treat. It may take time to find a treatment that works well because everyone responds differently to treatments.

COMPLICATIONS of Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis affects individuals differently. Some people have very hard flaky and ugly skin over scalp..

Ayurvedic Concept of Scalp Psoriasis

Ekakushtha/ ekakushtha

Ayurvedic Nidana of Scalp Psoriasis

Unwholesome diet with opposite potency

Improper routine and behaviour

Teasing and humiliating other good people

Theft

Bad deeds which cause emotional stress factors like repentance/fear/anxiety

Kapha- Vaatadoshakopanidana                      – causes for vitiation of the kapha dosha and Vaatadosha

Ayurvedic Purvaaroopa of Scalp Psoriasis

Absence of sweating

Loss of tactile sensation

Samprapti of Scalp Psoriasis

Due to the causative factors, vitiated doshas (mainly kapha) vitiate rasadhatu and reaches skin and develop into scaly rashes.

Ayurvedic Lakshana of Scalp Psoriasis

Absence of sweating

Big lesions resembling scales of fish

Lesions are scattered all over the body or head

Skin resembles the skin of elephant

Ayurvedic Divisions of Scalp Psoriasis

Not mentioned

Ayurvedic Prognosis of Scalp Psoriasis

Yaapya in most cases

 Asaadhya in chronic & complicated cases

Ayurvedic Treatment (Chikithsa) of Scalp Psoriasis

Treatment of eka/charmakushtha is alleviating the vitiated Kapha and Vaata doshas. It should be done accordingly in each case. If the lesions are wet/oily and swelling is present, kaphadoshahara treatment should be done. If the lesions are dry & flaky, with dark discolouration, Vaatadoshahara treatment should be administered. Other factors like body constitution, age, physical and mental strength of patient, digestion, season etc. also should be considered while treating the kushtha.

Samana

kshalana – washing with kashayas like aragwadhadikwatha or triphalakwatha

lepana – applying external medicines like kasamardalepa, chakramardadi lepa, aragwadhadi lepa etc.

Sodhana

Vamana with madanaphalakwatha

Virechana with erandatailam, or avipathi choornam

Kashayavasti

Snehavasti

(VAsti is especially beneficial in psoriatic arthritis)

Commonly used Ayurvedic medicines for Scalp Psoriasis

        Aragwadhadi kwatham

            Vajrakam Kashayam

            Panchathiktakam Kashayam

Amrutavrishapatoladi kwatham

Mahathikthakam ghrutham

Avipathi choornam

Nimbamruthadi erandam

Brands available

AVS Kottakal

SNA Oushadhasala

Vaidyaratnam oushadhasala

AVP Coimbatore

Home remedies for Scalp Psoriasis

No home remedy is there to completely cure psoriasis. But herbs that can help the discomforts of the disease includes the following:

Turmeric

Aloe vera

Neem

Apple cider vinegar

Baking soda

Tea tree oil

Epsom salt

Oatmeal

Diet for Scalp Psoriasis

Pathya

Light meals and easily digestible foods

Green gram, soups, buttermilk boiled with ginger, turmeric, curry leaves etc.

Freshly cooked and warm food processed with cumin seeds, ginger, ajwain etc

Maintain a regular food and sleep schedule.

Apathya

Heavy meals and difficult to digest foods – cause indigestion.

Junk foods- cause disturbance in digestion and reduces the bioavailability of the medicine

Carbonated drinks – makes the stomach more acidic and disturbed digestion

Refrigerated and frozen foods – causes weak and sluggish digestion by weakening Agni (digestive fire)

Milk and milk products other than buttermilk- Cause indigestion, increase Kaphadosha, can lead to obstruction in channels and respiratory problems.

Curd – causes vidaaha and thereby many other diseases

Red chilli and other pungent, hot and spicy food items.

Better to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight wind rain or dust.

Avoid stress.

Avoid sedentary lifestyle as it is one of the main causes of rheumatoid arthritis.

Avoid holding or forcing the urges like urine, faeces, cough, sneeze etc.

Yoga for Scalp Psoriasis

Salabhasana

vajrasana

Nadisudhi pranayama

Bhujangasana

All the exercises and physical exertions must be decided and done under the supervision of a medical expert only.

Research articles of Scalp Psoriasis

doi: 10.1111/jdv.13780. Epub 2016 Jul 13.

Aretrospective cohort study demonstrated the efficacy of infliximab and ustekinumab in addition to etanercept and adalimumab.

doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.05.033. Epub 2017 Aug 2

A placebo‐controlled, double‐blind trial demonstrated the superiority of secukinumab compared with placebo after 12 weeks of treatment on moderate-to-severe scalp psoriasis.

source https://ayurvedapc.blog/2021/08/25/ayurvedic-treatment-for-scalp-psoriasis/