CLINICAL INSIGHTS INTO KITIBHA KUSTA W.S.R. TO PSORIASIS – A CASE STUDY

Psoriasis is chronic immune-related inflammatory skin condition that affects 2-3% of global population and 0.44 – 2.8% of Indians. It is characterized by hyperkeratinisation, erythematous scaly plaques. Nowadays due to mityaharavihara, sedentary and stressful life style psoriasis cases are increasing rapidly and conventional treatment remains limited. In Ayurveda we compare psoriasis with kitibha kusta which is one among the Astadasha kustas that to Kshudra kusta explained in Bruhatrayi and Laghutrayi, characterized by Shyava varna (blackish brown color), kinakara Sparsha (rough to touch), Parusha (hard) and Kandu (itching).