A case of Plaque Psoriasis

Dr Annapurna Yemmanuru

Abstract:
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition of autoimmune origin. It usually has strong psychosomatic roots. The incidence of psoriasis has drastically gone up in the covid era. A 16 year female, lower middle class family, presented with symptoms of plaque psoriasis since 2 to 3 years associated with multiple food allergies, dust and pollen allergy since childhood. She responded very well to Homoeopathic medicine Natrum muriaticum. This case establishes how simple data can guide the selection of the perfect simillimum which goes a long way in giving relief to the psoriasis patient. It also is by far the most cost effective way of treatment, which can be embraced by the poorer sections of the society.

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form. It can be spot diagnosed from its appearance of red, dry, raised silvery, scaly lesions. They might me itchy or tender. They tend to appear around the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp. There might be few to many plaques. The disease has episodes of exacerbations and remissions.

Homoeopathic medicine selected after taking into considering the peculiar mental, physical features of the patient coupled with our observation about the patient definitely corrects the hypersensitive immune system in psoriasis patients. Homoeopathy focuses on reducing the impact of the stressors and thereby diminishing the frequency and intensity of the exacerbations.

Keywords: Homoeopathy, Plaque psoriasis, Natrum muriaticum

A patient aged came to the clinic, with symptoms of circular patches on bilateral shins, thighs, elbows and small lesions on the face, abdomen, and upper back since 2 to 3 years.

Chief complaints:

1. Lesions began on the left side and then the right side. Complains of itching which starts in the evening and <night++, <summer++,  >after scratching+,  >Cold water washing++

Associated complaints:

1. Allergies <Banana, <Almonds, <Dust, <Moulds, <Fungi, <Grains, <Cotton, <Soya bean, <Mushroom, <Orange, <Groundnuts, <Milk, <Dals, <Chana (As per allergen analysis test report)
2. Tendency to colds++. Occasional Epistaxis seen.
3. Recurrent coldsà leads to coughà develops into asthma within 2-3 days (Frequency- every 4-5 days)

<Night (9 PM) ++, >Fanning++, <Sitting up++

<Dust++, <Change of weather++, <Winters+, < Damp weather+

4. Constipation: Alternate days, Normal soft stools

Physical generals:

• Appetite: Normal
• Desires: Salt++
• Aversion: Milk++
• Thirst: Thirstless
• Sweat: Nil
• Thermals: Hot patient
• Urine: Normal
• Sleep: Normal
• Dreams: Nil

M/H: Menses delayed, every 45 to 60 days.  Bleeding lasts for 4 days.

F/H: Mother: Dust allergy

Mind: Hailing from a small village, she loves being modern.
She does whatever she wishes to, is introvert, reserved, and doesn’t like being consoled.  She tends to weep at trifles. She is good at studies.

Observation: Likes wearing shorts, palazzos, sleeveless dresses.

Prescribing totality:

• Reserved
• Introvert
• Consolation aggravates
• Thermally Hot
• Desires Salt

Approach: Kentian approach opted due to prominence of Mental generals and Physical generals.

Final prescription: Natrum Mur 200, once in 15 days started on 12/1/2021. The lesions became faint on 26/1/2021 and gradually went on improving. Till 22/12/2021, there were no exacerbations. She had a very remarkable relief from the symptoms. She stopped coming for follow up in between as she had a good relief of symptoms.One exacerbation was seen in January 2022, which also yielded to a dose of Natrum mur 200.

Conclusion: It can be safely concluded from the above case that, Homoeopathy is very effective in combating long standing, troublesome symptoms of plaque psoriasis without any side effects. It also helped to give relief from other symptoms. Also, it establishes the importance of Homoeopathic practice in rural areas.

References:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355840#:~:text=Psoriasis%20is%20a%20skin%20disease,while%20or%20going%20into%20remission.
2. https://www.psoriasis.org/plaque/

Dr. Annapurna Yemmanuru MD (Hom.)
The Homoeopathic Studio, Hyderabad, Telangana.
thehomoeopathicstudio.com, thehomoeopathicstudio@gmail.com

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