Prurigo nodularis or Nodular Prurigo is a skin disease manifested through hard, itchy lumps on the skin. The itching is severe and patients scratch in the itching points lead to bleed. The severe scratching cause more skin lesions and pain in the itching spots. The itching is increased with heat, sweating, allergies, irritants, climate, etc. PN patients may have comorbidities like Eczema, Lymphoma, HIV, Anaemia, Systemic diseases.
Prurigo nodularis Symptoms
The main symptom is severe itching and nodule formation. The nodules are mainly found in outer arms, shoulders, legs, and rarely found in trunks. Nodules are not found in faces and palms. The nodules are dry and rough, the number ranges from a few to hundreds. The size varies from very small to half an inch diameter. The colour of the nodule is a bit darker than the surrounding skin and scar appears after the healing of the nodules. The PN disease starts at the age between 20- 60 and most of the patients are in severe depression due to the appearance and severe itching.
What is the main cause of Prurigo nodularis?
There is no known cause for this disease. So many hypotheses like heredity, other diseases, etc are postulated, but not confirmed.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is mainly based on the signs and symptoms and a skin biopsy is done to confirm the nerve thickening in the skin layers.
Prognosis
The PN causes severe itching and pain, resulting in the loss of sleep. The patients may undergo severe depression.
Ayurveda Concept of PN
According to Ayurveda classical texts, PN is described as granthi ( Nodules) disease. The main dosha involved in the disease is Kapha and Vata. The increased Kapha and Vata dosha results in the metabolism disorders and Pitta – dosha maintaining metabolism is decreased. The digestion is happening every cell of the body and impaired digestion results in the accumulation of toxins in the body. these toxins locate in the skin and due to the involvement of Vata, nodules are formed. The impaired digestion pollutes the blood flowing and results in severe itching. Vitiated Vata causes severe pain.
What is the best treatment for Prurigo nodularis?
There is no complete cure for the PN disease, the conservative modern medicine treatment includes Corticosteroids internally and locally. Other supportive treatments are added based on the symptoms of the patient.
Ayurveda looks at the body in a holistic approach and the treatment is customized for each individual. There is a general line of treatment based on the pathology of the disease and the doshas elevated are treated to return to the normal harmony.
Commonly used medicines
- Guggulthiktakam Qwath
- Punarnavadi Qwath
- Varanadi Qwath
- Sukumaram Qwath
- Amritavrishapatoladi Qwath
- Guggulupanchapalam Churna
- Yavaloha Churna
- Dasamulaharitaki Leha
- Kalyana Gulam
- Dhanwantharam gulika
- Vettumaran Gulika
- Haridrakhandam
- Mahathiktakam Ghritham
- Aragwadhadi Ghritham
Diet
As mentioned earlier, the digestion is impaired in PN patients and so easily digestible food should be taken.
Exercises.
As per Ayurveda concept, the sweating increases PN pruritis due to the blockage of sweat channels due to vitiated Kapha. So exercises are advised in Ayurveda, which helps to decrease Kapha and in turn sweating will helps to eliminate toxins from the body.
Yoga
All types of Asanas and Pranayama are useful. Please customize your favourites under the guidance of a well-trained teacher.
Home Remedies
- Turmeric is a good remedy for itching.
- Curry leaves are good to improve the digestion
- Neem paste is good for itching.
- Honey is good for reducing Kapha.
- Dry Ginger boiled in water is good to promote digestion.
