Pityriasis Alba (Mandala Kusta)

श्वेतंरक्तंस्थिरंस्त्यानंस्निग्धमुत्सन्नमण्डलम्।
कृच्छ्रमन्योन्यसंसक्तंकुष्ठंमण्डलमुच्यते ||

Pityriasis Alba (Mandala Kusta)

Pityriasis alba is a common skin condition usually affecting children aged 3 to 16 years of age and characterized by hypo-pigmented, circular or irregularly shaped, dry, and scaly patches on the skin. It is more noticeable in people with darker skin and the lesions most commonly appear on the face followed by the upper arms, neck, cheek, back, etc. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA is successfully managing Pityriasis alba through Ayurvedic measures.

SYMPTOMS

Round or oval or irregular-shaped lesion of 0.5 to 5cm in diameter
Lesions are the hypopigmented, dry, scaling type with minimum or no itching
Drying and scale appearance is more commonly seen in winter

ETIOLOGY

The exact cause of pityriasis alba is not known. It is considered as a low-grade form of eczema or dermatitis. This disease is mostly associated with sun exposure, Malassezia yeast infection, low levels of serum copper and often trace elements, the aggressive response of the immune system towards skin irritants, etc.

DIAGNOSIS

It is usually clinical based on symptoms and examination of skin. Mycology examination and fungal culture are negative in Pityriasis alba.

“Dr. Gupta’s Institute of Applied Food Allergy® is the best destination for the Ayurvedic management of various skin ailments like Pityriasis alba”.

Reach IAFA to solve all your skin ailments naturally!!!

– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist

CEO & Founder of IAFAⓇ

Diet in Pityriasis alba

PATHYA (DO’s) in Pityriasis alba

Avoid exposure to the sun, extreme weather, wind, etc.
Follow personal hygiene, low carbohydrate, and light vegetarian food.

APATHYA (DONTS’s) in Pityriasis alba

Avoid yougurt,chocolates,jaggery ,non-vegetarian foods and prawns (similar products)

YOGA THERAPY

Uttanasana
Janushirsasana
Bhunjagasana
Trikonasana

PRANAYAMA/MEDITATIVE THERAPY

Sitakari pranayama
Kapalbati pranayama

MUDRA THERAPY

Brahma mudra
Prana mudra

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

Pityriasis alba can be correlated to mandala kusta, a type of mahakusta mentioned by Acharya Charaka in Charaka samhitha chikitsastana chapter 7.

TREATMENT

Kaphahara and mandala kustahara chikitsa based on extend of dosha vitiation.

INTERNAL MEDICINES

Nimbadi kasayam
Kaisora guggulu
Khadiraristam

Aragwadaristam
Rasagandhi mezhuku

EXTERNAL APPLICATION

Guggulu marichadi tailam
Triphala churnam
Eladi churnam
Lodradi churnam

PURIFACTORY THERAPIES

Virechana (purgation) – manibhadra gudam
Nasya (errhines) – madhuyashtyadi taila

SINGLE HERBS USED IN PITYRIASIS ALBA

Neem (Azadirachta indica)
Aragwada (Cassia fistula)
Katuki (Picrorrhiza kurroa)

References

Shloka No. 16, Kushta Chikitsa, Chikitsasthanam, Charak Samhita by Acharya Agnivesha.
Sushruta. Kushtachikitsa Adhyaya. In: Ayurveda Tattva Sandipika Hindi Commentary, Kaviraj Ambikadutta Shastri, Sushruta Samhita Purvardha Chikitsa Sthana, Reprint Edition. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; 2018. p. 63.
Charaka. Shyamatrivritakapla Adhyaya. In: Vidyotini Hindi Commentary, Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Dr. Gorakhnath Chaturvedi, Charak Samhita Uttarardh Kalpa Sthana, Reprint Edition. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2017. p. 920, 7:23.

CONCLUSION

Pityriasis alba, a common skin disease is not one to panicked. It is a self limiting disease and goes away on its own. Adequate care must be taken to prevent secondary infections and further complications. FollowingAyurveda will help in better healing and recovery through safe and complete nature friendly treatment modalities.

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question) What is Pityriasis alba?

Answer) Pityriasis alba is a common skin condition usually affecting children aged 3 to 16 years of age and characterized by hypo-pigmented, circular or irregularly shaped, dry, and scaly patches on skin.

Question) What are the major symptoms of Pityriasis alba?

Answer) Round or oval or irregular shaped lesion of 0.5 to 5cm in diameter and Lesions are hypopigmented, dry, scaling type with minimum or no itching are the major symptoms of pityriasis alba.

Question) Is there any Ayurvedic remedy for pityriasis alba?

Answer) Yes, Ayurveda is having successful treatment for the management of pityriasis alba.

Question) What is Pityriasis Alba?

Answer) In Ayurveda, Pityriasis Alba is very much similar to Mandala Kusta which is one of the most common but miserable Twak vikara (skin disorder) affecting all the population groups.

Question) What is the cause of Pityriasis Alba?

Answer) According to Acharya Sushruta, it is a Kaph Pradhan vyadhi most commonly occurs in Urdhva hasta i.e., hasta, ura and mukha. It starts with kandu (itching) which is mild and also results in the formation of white thin patches without pain.

Question) What is the treatment of Pityriasis Alba?

Answer) Ayurvedic treatment of pityriasis alba involves a holistic approach particularly correcting the root cause through Sanshodhan (cleansing), specifically for skin disorders like pityriasis alba. The treatment involves expelling out toxins present in rasadi dhatu and purifies dushya of skin disorders.