Ayurvedic Treatment for Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a skin disease that is autoimmune in nature and usually linked to the celiac disease. It is an uncommon condition which instead of being linked to the celiac disease, do not affect all the people suffering from it, DH is rare in occurrence as compared to the former. Any age group can be affected by DH but the most common one are between 15-40 years of age. Men are more prone to it as compared to the women and children seem to be rarely affected by this disease. In this article we will be learning all about Dermatitis herpetiformis in detail, its signs and symptoms, causes, diagnosis and herbal management by the herbal formulations offered by Planet Ayurveda.

Dermatitis herpetiformis, a skin condition is characterized by burning and itchy rashes on skin, and painful blister formation. People suffering from it find it very difficult to live through it due to the agony this disease causes. DH can affect any area of the body but some of the commonly affected are knees, elbows, back, and scalp, back of neck, shoulders, and hips. Gluten intolerance is the cause of these rashes and usually the underlying celiac disease is always present in it.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Dermatitis herpetiformis comes under the category of one of the itchiest rashes possible. Both sides of the body are equally affected by the rashes which appear and disappear on and off. Some of the signs and symptoms commonly observed in DH patients are:

• Burning or itching before appearance of rashes
• Raised and red patches along with blistering over the area which bursts on itching
• Severe stinging, burning and itching on the affected area
• Formation of liquid filled bumps
• Leaving purple mark after the healing of blisters

CAUSES

Name can be deceptive in case of DH are it may sounds like involvement of herpes virus in causation which is wrong. Dermatitis herpetiformis is caused due to the abnormal reaction of the immune system of the body against gluten which results in this skin disease. Hence people suffering from celiac disease get affected by it as there is intolerance to gluten in celiac disease. Rye, wheat and barley consist of this protein called gluten.

DIAGNOSIS

The best confirmative diagnostic procedure for Dermatitis herpetiformis is skin biopsy. In this test a small piece of the skin is taken from the affected area and examined under the microscope. This test reveals the IgA antibody presence in that area and helps in ruling out other causes of rashes on the skin. Certain blood tests can be done to check the presence of antibodies in it and intestinal biopsy will reveal the damaged colon due to celiac disease.

TREATMENT

The main drug used to treat Dermatitis herpetiformis is dapsone which is a very strong medicine with several serious side effects and negative interactions with other medicines. Dapsone must be used very carefully and low dosage otherwise can lead to severe damage like liver ailments, weakness of muscles, anemia, photosensitivity, and peripheral neuropathy.

On the other hand Ayurveda can help in a very natural and healing way, without causing any harm to the body. As per Ayurvedic literatures, autoimmune diseases are caused due to the accumulation of ‘Ama’ (endotoxin) on certain cells which are eventually targeted by the immune system and destroys them. Hence the main aim of Ayurvedic medicines is to clear this ama from the body and prevent its further formation. This will lead to vanishing away of cause and simultaneously the disease caused due to it.

HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda, a herbal pharmaceutical brand which is indulge in the manufacture of herbal medicines, supplements and products. No any sort of chemicals, additives, preservatives, colors, dye, fillers or yeast is used in these herbal products which make them all more safe and effective for the people to use. For Dermatitis herpetiformis Planet Ayurveda offers a range of herbal combinations that helps in eliminating the ama from the body and managing the signs and symptoms of the disease.

Product List

1. Sanjivani vati
2. Gandhak rasayan
3. Praval panchamrit
4. Radiant skin hair nail formula
5. Dermoplan syrup
6. Nirgundi oil
7. Tea tree aloe vera soap
8. Neem oil

Product Description

1. Sanjivani Vati

Sanjivani vati is prepared from herbs like Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Vacha (Acorus calmus), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Pippali (Piper longum), etc which enhances the digestive fire, act to eliminate the endotoxins (Ama) from the body, also relieves the digestive complaints.

Dosage– 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals

2. Gandhak Rasayan

It is prepared from the Purified sulphur (Shuddh gandhak). Gandhak rasayan relieves the itching, burning and irritation on the skin. These tablets eliminate the toxins from the blood, purify it and maintain healthy skin.

Dosage– Take 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals

3. Praval Panchamrit

Praval panchamrit is a classical preparation consisting of Praval bhasma (Coral calx), Mukta bhasma (Pearl bhasma), Shanka bhasma (Conch shell bhasma), Shukti bhasma (pearl oyster shell bhasma), and Karpadika bhasma (An Ayurvedic compound). These tablets balance the tridosha in the body and relieve the diseases caused due to its aggravation. Praval panchamrit also manages the digestive troubles and help in treating the gluten intolerance.

Dosage– Take 1 tablet twice daily with plain water after meals

4. Radiant Skin Hair Nails Formula

Various amazing herbs like Chirata (Swertia chiretta), Pitt papda (Fumaria officinalis), Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), and Grit kumara (Aloe barbandensis) are used in preparation in the standardized form. Radiant skin hair nail formula capsules help treating the itching and blisters on the skin and help in maintaining healthy skin.

Dosage– Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water

5.Dermo Plan Syrup

Potent medicinal herbs used in Dermoplan syrup helps to treat skin ailments present in Dermatitis herpetiformis. Herbs like Chopchini (Smilax china), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Haridra (Curcuma longa) etc. are used to prepare the syrup which relieves burning and severe itching, prevent formation of blisters and maintain a healthy skin.

Dosage– Take 2 teaspoon twice daily after meals with plain water

6. Nirgundi Oil

Nirgundi oil is a single herb oil i.e. Vitex negundo (Nirgundi) that possesses anti inflammatory and anti bacterial properties which helps in treating and managing the inflamed, irritated, full of blisters, burning and itchy skin.

Direction– Take some drops of oil and apply on the affected area with cotton.

7. Tea Tree Aloe Vera Soap

Tea tree aloe vera soap is manufactured according to the ancient Ayurvedic literature, which possesses several medicinal properties. Regular use of this soap helps in relieving the irritated, skin that burns and itch severely due to the disease. This soap gives a soothing and healing effect on the blisters.

Direction– Use daily for washing the area.

8. Neem Oil

As the name suggests this oil is prepared from Neem (Azadirachta indica) which have multiple medicinal properties like antibacterial, antifungal, healing, purifier, detoxifier and soother. All of them help in relieving the complaints of Dermatitis herpetiformis.

Direction– Take some drops of oil and apply on the affected area by cotton.

CONCLUSION

Dermatitis herpetiformis can be troubling and severe to the top of the notch which can make a person’s daily life miserable due to the severity of the itching and burning caused in the blisters and affected area. Modern medicine possesses many side effects as already mentioned in the case of DH but Ayurveda helps in treating the condition naturally and safely without hurting any other part of the body.