Ichthyosis: Ayurveda Understanding

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S

Transient Introduction of Ichthyosis – contains a gaggle of pores and skin circumstances. These current with dryness and scaling of the pores and skin. Some sorts are restricted to the pores and skin however different varieties would possibly have an effect on the interior organs. The genetic type of the illness can also be widespread. Acquired forms of ichthyosis happen from one other medical dysfunction or some drugs. Ichthyosis vulgaris and X-linked Recessive Ichthyosis are the 2 most typical forms of ichthyosis.

Other than dry scaly pores and skin, redness, pores and skin peeling, itching, blisters, tightness of pores and skin, formation of traces and ache are additionally present in ichthyosis.

Associated Studying – Ichthyosis

Ichthyosis – Ayurveda Understanding

Vata Connection – Ruksha i.e. dryness is likely one of the qualities of vata. Vata tends to supply dryness within the physique. Ichthyosis is a illness (illnesses) marked by dryness of the pores and skin which can also be one in all its primary signs. Vata aggravation would trigger excessive dryness wherever within the physique and in addition within the pores and skin. Scaling additionally is because of extreme vata aggravation. It could actually happen after the pores and skin has been extraordinarily dry for lengthy intervals or along with dryness.

Pores and skin and Vata – Pores and skin / sense organ of contact is likely one of the seats of vata. So, vata is all the time associated to the pores and skin. This additionally means that pores and skin shall be one of many organs to suffer from the impact of extreme vata aggravation.

Rasa Connection – Raukshya or rukshata suggesting dryness is likely one of the signs of rasa kshaya i.e. depletion of rasa (lymph, plasma) tissue. Rasa gives vitamin to all elements of the physique together with the pores and skin. If the vitamin to the pores and skin will get much less or depleted over a time frame the pores and skin would possibly get dry and scaly. In intrauterine life, the fetus derives its vitamin from the rasa of the mom circulating within the womb. If there may be deficit vitamin to the fetus it might trigger many illnesses together with dryness and formation of scales within the pores and skin.

Rasavaha Srotas Connection – Pores and skin is the indicator of the well being of rasa tissue. In Ayurveda, the well being of rasa tissue is defined on the idea of the well being of pores and skin. Untimely wrinkling is likely one of the signs of contamination of the channels transporting rasa. So, when these channels are contaminated the pores and skin is affected. The phrase untimely wrinkling might be prolonged to know the manifestation of circumstances like dryness and scaling of pores and skin. It’s stated that males affected by ichthyosis are at elevated threat of creating low sperm rely and or un-descended testicles (as problems of the illness). Klaibya or impotence, a symptom of contamination of rasa transporting channels which may happen as a result of extreme depletion of semen (sperms) is a relative situation defined in Ayurveda.

Panchabhautika Connection – Panchamahabhutas or 5 parts of nature take part within the formation of the fetus as per Ayurveda rules. When there may be imbalance of Vayu Mahabhuta i.e. air factor and Akasha Mahabhuta i.e. ether factor (each of which mix to type vata dosha additionally) i.e. after they dominate over the opposite mahabhutas, pores and skin circumstances presenting with dryness and scaling naturally at start like ichthyosis can manifest amongst different problems. Together with this if there may be imbalance of Jala / Ap Mahabhuta in direction of the decrease aspect within the formation of the fetus, the moistness of the pores and skin of the newborn will naturally be much less or nearly nil. These elements would predispose the fetus to develop ichthyosis-like circumstances after or at start which could run forward into adolescence and later a part of one’s life.

Signs & problems of Ichthyosis and Dosha involvement

Dryness and scales of ichthyosis are attributable to vata predominance as already mentioned. The scales in ichthyosis are often white, darkish brown or grey in colour. The lesions of Vata predominant Kushta (pores and skin illnesses) are stated to be shyava varna or aruna varna. Shyava varna carefully resembles darkish brown or grey colour. The pores and skin will get tough and is related to ache in vata predominant pores and skin problems; the identical is the case in ichthyosis. There are cracks within the scales and the signs of ichthyosis worsen in chilly and dry climate and get higher in hotter climate. The identical options might be seen in vata predominant kushta.

Different signs –

Sl No	Signs of Ichthyosis	Dosha relation
1	Redness	might be correlated to aruna varna of vata predominant kushta or raga of pitta predominant kushta
2	Pores and skin peeling / cracking	Vata
3	Itching	Vata / Kapha / Vata-Kapha
4	Blisters	Pitta / Pitta Kapha
5	Pores and skin tightness	Vata, Vata-Kapha
6	Formation of traces	Vata
7	Thickening of pores and skin	Vata, Vata-Kapha
8	Ache	Vata
9	Fragile hairs, hair loss	Vata
10	Dryness of eyes, issue in closing the eyelids	Vata
11	Incapability to sweat	Vata
12	Problem in listening to	Vata
13	Problem in flexing the joints of the physique	Vata

Likewise amongst problems of ichthyosis, frequent infections might be triggered as a result of tridosha imbalance, dehydration and blocked sweat glands as a result of vata enhance and kapha lower, sluggish progress of hairs as a result of vata and pitta, melancholy as a result of kapha enhance, low sperm rely and un-descended testicles as a result of vata enhance.

Different problems embody imaginative and prescient loss and issues associated to the mind and nervous system are additionally attributable to excessive vata.

Ailments in Ayurveda and Ichthyosis

Although we can not correlate any specific situation / illness defined in Ayurveda with Ichthyosis we are able to draw inferences from the references out there within the treatises whose signs or look carefully resemble the talked about illness.

Ekakushta – The time period “Ichthyosis” is derived from the Greek phrase for fish. It’s because the pores and skin on this situation seems to be just like the scales of a fish.  That is the rationale why some individuals name this ‘fish pores and skin illness’ or ‘fish scale’. This situation might be carefully correlated to Ekakushta. It’s one among the many eleven forms of Kshudra Kushta i.e. minor pores and skin illnesses. Ekakushta can also be correlated to a different pores and skin situation named Erythrodermias.

अस्वेदनं महा वास्तु यत् मत्स्य शकल उपमम्।
तद् एक कुष्ठं, (च.चि.७/२१)
asvedanaṃ mahā vāstu yat matsya śakala upamam|
tad eka kuṣṭhaṃ, (ca.ci.7/21)

Signs of Ekakushta – The minor pores and skin illness wherein lesion is unfold over an prolonged space of the pores and skin (massive lesion) resembling the pores and skin of a fish in look and contour, seems scaly and doesn’t sweat (absence of sweating across the lesion) and is predominantly attributable to vitiation of vata and kapha is understood by the title Eka Kushta.

Vata Pradhana Kushta – The signs of pores and skin problems in which there’s predominant aggravation of vata have been talked about above. To sum up –

• Kharatva – roughness of the pores and skin
• Shyava aruna varna – brownish black or reddish yellow discoloration of the pores and skin
• Ruksham – dryness of the pores and skin
• Vedana – ache

All these signs are current in ichthyosis.

The Kushtas included on this class are –

1. Kapala Kushta

कृष्ण अरुण कपालाभं यद् रूक्षं परुषं तनु।
कापालं तोद बहुलं तत् कुष्ठं विषमं स्मृतम्॥(च.चि.७/१४)
kṛṣṇa aruṇa kapālābhaṃ yad rūkṣaṃ paruṣaṃ tanu|
kāpālaṃ toda bahulaṃ tat kuṣṭhaṃ viṣamaṃ smṛtam||(ca.ci.7/14)

The Kushta wherein the lesions or eruptions resemble a Kapala i.e. piece of saucer or earthen pot is known as Kapala Kushta. On this, the lesions are both blackish brown, gray or yellowish crimson (golden yellow) in colour. It could be of reddish black or blackish crimson in colour with a muddy shine. They appear dry and are tough and arduous on contact, skinny on the floor and in stage to the pores and skin floor, unfold abruptly in a haphazard method, related to extreme pricking / throbbing ache. It is a form of Mahakushta (larger pores and skin illnesses) and is predominantly attributable to vata dosha vitiation.

2. Vicharchika

स कण्डूः पिडकाः श्यावा बहु स्रावा विचर्चिका॥ (च.चि.७/२६)
sa kaṇḍūḥ piḍakāḥ śyāvā bahu srāvā vicarcikā|| (ca.ci.7/26)

Vicharchika presents with a number of itchy boils or eruptions or blisters of blackish brown or bluish black colour that are oozing, related to extreme discharges (exudation) and extreme itching sensation and is predominantly attributable to vitiated kapha dosha. Vicharchika is in contrast with eczema which is a complication of ichthyosis.

3. Rshyajihwa Kushta

कर्कशं रक्त पर्यन्तं अन्तः श्यावं स वेदनम्।
यद् ॠष्य जिह्व संस्थानं ऋष्यजिह्वं तद् उच्यते॥(च.चि.७/१७)
karkaśaṃ rakta paryantaṃ antaḥ śyāvaṃ sa vedanam|
yad ṝṣya jihva saṃsthānaṃ ṛṣyajihvaṃ tad ucyate||(ca.ci.7/17)

This Kushta usually resembles the form of the tongue (jihwa) of a Rushya / Rishya (sort of deer or bear), tough or coarse in look and contact, crimson coloured on the margins and bluish black on the centre, related to ache and is attributable to predominant vitiation of vata and pitta doshas.

4. Charma Kushta

चर्माख्यं बहलं हस्ति चर्मवत्॥(च.चि.७/२१)
carmākhyaṃ bahalaṃ hasti carmavat||(ca.ci.7/21)

The pores and skin across the lesion seems (resembles) just like the pores and skin of an elephant in Charma Kushta, the pores and skin is thick and devoid of layers and is predominantly attributable to vata and kapha doshas.

5. Ekakushta

Defined above

6. Kitibha Kushta

श्यावं किण खर स्पर्शं परुषं किटिभं स्मृतम्। (च.चि.७/२२)
śyāvaṃ kiṇa khara sparśaṃ paruṣaṃ kiṭibhaṃ smṛtam| (ca.ci.7/22)

The a part of the pores and skin by Kitibha Kushta is blackish brown in colour and provides a really feel of wound scar i.e. tough on contact, dry (tough, arduous) and is attributable to vitiation of vata and kapha doshas.

7. Sidma Kushta

श्वेतं ताम्रं तनु च यद् रजो घृष्टं विमुञ्चति।
अलाबू पुष्प वर्णं तत् सिध्मं प्रायेण उरसि॥(च.चि.७/१९)
śvetaṃ tāmraṃ tanu ca yad rajo ghṛṣṭaṃ vimuñcati|
alābū puṣpa varṇaṃ tat sidhmaṃ prāyeṇa urasi||(ca.ci.7/19)

Sidhma Kushta resembles (has the colour of) Alabu Pushpa (flower of Lagenaria sicareria), white or coppery in colour, has skinny lesions, yield dusty particles (peeling of pores and skin) on rubbing or scratching. It’s usually manifested on the chest and is attributable to vitiated vata and kapha doshas.

8. Alasa Kushta

कण्डूमद्भिः स रागैः च गण्डैः अलसकं चितम्॥ (च.चि.७/२३)
kaṇḍūmadbhiḥ sa rāgaiḥ ca gaṇḍaiḥ alasakaṃ citam|| (ca.ci.7/23)

Alasaka presents within the type of itching boils or eruptions, reddish colour and related to itching sensation and is predominantly attributable to vitiation of vata and kapha doshas.

9. Vaipadika Kushta

वैपादिकं पाणि पाद स्फुटनं तीव्र वेदनम्॥ (च.चि.७/२२)
vaipādikaṃ pāṇi pāda sphuṭanaṃ tīvra vedanam|| (ca.ci.7/22)

Vaipadika Kushta presents with cracks within the palms and soles related to extreme (excruciating) ache and are attributable to vitiation of vata and kapha.

All of the above described circumstances might be included below the umbrella of ichthyosis as a result of proximity of medical options.

10. Shukra-Shonitagata Kushta – The fetus shaped by fertilization of the sperm of man and ovum of the girl affected by kushta may even be a kushti – sufferer of pores and skin problems. This may be carefully in comparison with Inherited / X-linked / genetic ichthyosis.

Twakgata Vata

Dryness of the pores and skin and cracking of pores and skin (peeling, traces) are amongst the signs of twakgata vata i.e. vitiated vata localized within the pores and skin.

Vata Vyadhi normally

Usually most vatavyadhi (particular and particular vata problems) can have varied gradients of dryness on the pores and skin and contained in the physique as effectively. To contemplate that is necessary from the therapy perspective.

Acquired Ichthyosis and Ayurveda – Whichever systemic illness defined in Ayurveda presents with extreme dryness and scaling of the pores and skin as defined in ichthyosis shall be thought of to be causal. In these instances treating the principle illness will care for dryness and scaling of pores and skin. Instance – dryness of the pores and skin is likely one of the signs of panduroga (usually in comparison with anemia, additionally consists of liver problems). Right here treating panduroga will clear the dryness of the pores and skin. The identical precept shall be adopted if ichthyosis-like signs are present in any systemic illness defined in Ayurveda.

Ayurveda therapy rules for ichthyosis (treatable)

Ichthyosis doesn’t have a remedy, primarily the genetic forms of ichthyosis. The opposite treatable forms of ichthyosis must be handled to the most effective of 1’s capability. The success of the therapy relies on the severity of the illness, alternative of interventions and regularity of therapy.

Ichthyosis shall be handled by administering the therapies, medicines, dietetic routine and way of life adjustments talked about within the under talked about circumstances defined in Ayurveda. The selection of those relies on the judgment of the doctor and will range from individual to individual and situation to situation.

Therapy rules of the under talked about shall be thought of –

• Kushta Chikitsa – pores and skin illnesses defined in Ayurveda
• Vataja Kushta Chikitsa – pores and skin illnesses of vata origin (consists of all forms of kushtas which fall on this class)
• Kshudra Kushta Chikitsa with particular reference to Eka Kushta
• Rasavaha sroto dushti chikitsa – treating the contamination of rasa conveying channels within the physique  
• Vata Vyadhi Chikitsa – therapy of particular vata problems
• Twak Gata Vata Chikitsa – therapy of vata localized within the pores and skin

Coping with Vata

Because the whole image of ichthyosis is dominated by vata, all therapy methods must be centered on bringing vata to a state of steadiness by all attainable strategies. The under talked about would be the key methods. Other than exterior and inside therapies, eating regimen and way of life suggestions to steadiness vata must be carried out.

Exterior Therapies

Oil is the most effective enemy for aggravated vata. It may be used externally in addition to internally and in addition together with meals.

Snehana – oleation –In ichthyosis the pores and skin must be stored moist and lubricated as usually as it might. Many oil therapies might be carried out on the pores and skin together with pouring of medicated oils in streams / showers (Parisheka / Sneha dhara / Kaya seka / Pizhichil), bathing the physique in a bathtub stuffed with medicated oil (Avagaha) and natural oil therapeutic massage (Abhyanga).

Inside Therapies

Panchakarma Therapies –

Sneha Vasti – Enema with medicated oil / ghee or mixture of each must be administered in ichthyosis. Anuvasana Vasti could also be administered. However common administration of lubrication enema with medicated fat in small doses could also be ceaselessly administered – Mata Vasti.

Vamana or Virechana – Therapeutic emesis or purgation could also be required in acquired / secondary ichthyosis to deal with the principle illnesses inflicting ichthyosis and in addition to purify the physique of its morbid doshas and toxins.

Dad or mum / mother and father affected by ichthyosis, if planning to conceive kids, ought to endure Panchakarma therapies adopted by Rasayana therapies earlier than conceiving.

Helpful formulations for ichthyosis