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.)