Psoriasis and homoeopathic management-case report

Dr Shivappa B Janagoud  

ABSTRACT:
Psoriasis is one of the common skin diseases characterised by scaly papules and plaques. Prevalence of psoriasis in different parts of the world varies from 0.1% to 3%. Onset of psoriasis is most common in the second to fourth decades of life though it can appear just after birth or in old age¹. Homoeopathic medicines have been found to be useful in such cases. This case report highlights the case of psoriasis in 25 years old male patient with photographic evidence treated with constitutional homoeopathic medicine- Mezerium 200C. This case report suggests that Homoeopathy can helps to treat Psoriasis without any side effect.

KEYWORDS: Psoriasis, Homoeopathy, Case report, Repertorization, Mezerium.

INTRODUCTION:
Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease with a spectrum of clinical phenotypes and results from the interplay of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors².  A high familial occurrence of psoriasis (7% to 36%) suggests that genetic factors play a role in its aetiology. Psoriasis occurs in equal frequency in males and females. Triggering factors may be local or systemic and include trauma (Koebner phenomenon), season (worsens in winter), emotional stress, upper respiratory tract infections and drugs like beta-blockers, lithium and chloroquine¹.

There are several different forms of psoriasis, including plaque psoriasis or psoriasis vulgaris, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis and pustular psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis or psoriasis vulgaris is the most common form of psoriasis that is about 80% of people with psoriasis have this type. Guttate psoriasis looks like small, salmon-pink drops on the skin. Usually there are fine scale on the drop like lesion that is much finer than the scales in plaque psoriasis. The trigger to the disease is often a preceding streptococcal infection. Inverse psoriasis consists of bright red, smooth (not scaly) patches found in the folds of the skin. The most common areas are under the breasts, in the armpits, near the genitals, under the buttocks or in abdominal folds. Pustular psoriasis is an uncommon form of psoriasis. People with pustular psoriasis have clearly defined, raised bumps on the skin that are filled with pus (pustules). When palms and the soles are involved, this is known as palmoplantar psoriasis. In erythrodermic psoriasis, the entire skin surface is involved with the disease³.

A CASE REPORT: A male aged 25 years presented with complaint of known case of psoriasis with chief complaints of eruptions with scaling and itching of scalp since 2 years and reddish, small and round eruptions on back since 1 year.

History of presenting complaints: Patient was apparently well 2 years back. Gradually, he started developing eruptions with scaling and itching of scalp.  Later he observed the eruptions spreading on the back with itching. Itching aggravation by warmth. He has undergone allopathic treatment for the same without any remarkable improvement.

Past history: Recurrent attack of cold and cough since childhood. History of tonsillectomy.

Physical generals:

• Appetite: good
• Thirst: thirsty
• Desire: junk and fast food
• Aversion: nothing specific
• Urine: nothing significant
• Stool: 2-3 times/day with frequent urge in early morning
• Sleep: sound
• Thermal: towards chilly

Mental generals:

• Persistent thoughts when he is alone.
• Helplessness feelings.
• Occupation amelioration.

Family history: Father- Arthritis and Tinea Coporis. Other family members are apparently healthy.

Totality of Symptoms:

• Persistent thoughts when he is alone.
• Helplessness feeling.
• Occupation amelioration.
• Stool- frequent urge in early morning.
• Heavy dandruff with itching of scalp.
• Eruptions on back with itching.
• Itching aggravation in warmth.
• Thirsty
• Chilly

Evaluation of symptoms:

• Mental General: Persistent thoughts when he is alone, helplessness, occupation amelioration.
• Physical General: Thirsty, chilly patient, stool- frequent urge in early morning.
• Characteristic particulars: heavy dandruff with itching of scalp, eruptions on back with itching, itching aggravation by warmth.

Prescription:

Mezereum 200 / 3 dose, Placebo tds (thrice a day) for 1 month.

DISCUSSION: The complete recovery of symptoms of psoriasis of scalp and back was achieved. After careful examination and proper case taking, the exact similimum was selected by using RADAR software based on repertorization (Table 1). Mezereum 200, 3 dose was prescribed to the patient. Patient was advised to take one dose of Mezereum at early morning for next 3 days. The patient was followed up once in a month for next 6 months. There was gradual improvement in itching, skin lesion & dandruf of scalp of the patient. In between the follow up Psorinum 1M, 1 dose was prescribed to the patient as intercurrent then the patient was relieved from symptoms of mild psoriasis.

CONCLUSION: Homoeopathy is a system of medicine which treats the patient as a whole not a disease. This case report is accompanied by photographic evidence along with improvement in patient symptoms. Treatment of Psoriasis in modern medicine is very limited and provides only short term relief with some side effects. Hence it is concluded that homoeopathic medicine selected on the basis of totality of symptoms proves to be beneficial in the treatment of psoriasis.

REFERENCES:

3. Munjal YP. API Textbook of Medicine.9/e. New Delhi, India: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publisers (P) Ltd; 2012:494 p.
4. Meglio Di Paola, Villanova Federica, and Nestle O Frank. Psoriasis. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, 2014;4:1-30 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4109580/
5. W Gary. Psoriasis. MedicineNet, 2021. https://www.medicinenet.com/psoriasis/article.htm

Dr Shivappa B Janagoud
(Deputy Chief Medical Officer In service Govt. of Karnataka)
MD Part 2- PG Department of Paediatrics,
Government Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Bengaluru-79

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