IJFIRH - 2025, Volume - III, Issue - I [January - March 2025]

e-ISSN No- 3048-6270

Published by Homoeopathic Chronicles

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF PSORIASIS - A CASE REPORT 

Sushmitha1, Praveen Kumar P D2, Veerabhadrappa C3, Mahabubali Nadaf4

1MD Scholar, Department of Practice of Medicine, Government Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru- 560079

2Professor and HOD, Department of practice of medicine Government Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru- 560079

3Professor, Department of Practice of Medicine, Government Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru- 560079

4Associate Professor, Department of Practice of Medicine, Government Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru- 560079

Article Received: 18 January 2025 - Accepted: 21 March 2025 - Article published online: 25 March 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59939/3048-6270.2025.v3.i1.10

ABSTRACT  

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by red, scaly plaques, affecting both physical and mental health. In India, its prevalence ranges from 0.44% to 2.8%, with males being more commonly affected, the exact cause is unknown. Homoeopathy offers a holistic treatment approach, aiming to treat underlying causes and symptoms without side effects.  Case summary: A 28yearold Male patient, a software engineer, presented with multiple erythematic, well circumscribed plaque lesions on trunk and extensor surface of lower limb without itching, without burning, since Two and half years.  This case study demonstrated the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies in reducing psoriasis symptoms highlighting its potential as a safe alternative to conventional treatments.

Key words:

psoriasis, homeopathy, synthesis repertory, cuprum aceticum, psorinum,  

INTRODUCTION

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease that manifests most commonly as well-circumscribed, erythematous papules and plaques covered with silvery scales. The cause is unclear but seems to involve the immune system. The common triggers include trauma, infection, and certain drugs. Symptoms are usually minimal with occasional mild itching, but cosmetic implications may be major. Some people develop severe disease with painful arthritis. Diagnosis is based on appearance and distribution of lesions1.

The prevalence of psoriasis in India is estimated to be around 0.44% to 2.8% of the population in 20202. The prevalence can differ based on geographic regions, with slightly higher rates reported in urban areas compared to rural regions. Psoriasis can affect both adults and children, with male individuals being slightly more affected than females3. Psoriasis is classified under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) in the and ICD-11 system, psoriasis is classified under the diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Under LA00: Psoriasis4

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory skin disease. In this disorder, changes occur in the life cycle of skin cells and cells are made 10 times faster than normal. Body normally takes 3 to 4 weeks for making and replacing new cells. But in this disorder the process takes about 3 to 8 days only. Due to excess accumulation of cells on the surface of the body, this develops scaly and red patches that are rough, itchy and may be painful. The lesion mostly occurs in the elbow, knee, scalp and lower back, but it can appear anywhere in the body. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition with various types. Plaque psoriasis, the most common, features red, scaly patches on areas like the scalp and knees. Guttate psoriasis appears as small, drop-shaped lesions, often triggered by infections. Inverse psoriasis affects skin folds with smooth, red inflammation. Pustular psoriasis involves pus-filled blisters, while erythrodermic psoriasis causes widespread red, peeling skin, leading to severe complications. Nail psoriasis impacts nails with pitting and discoloration, and psoriatic arthritis involves joint inflammation, often accompanying skin symptoms. Each type varies in severity and presentation. Diagnosis is most often by clinical appearance and distribution of lesions such as Erythematous silver scaly plaques with Well-defined border, With Koebner phenomenon, Positive Auspitz sign, in some cases regular circular pits on nail plates, Involvement of distal inter phalange joint 5.

Homoeopathy enjoys a reputation of providing a successful management of psoriasis conservatively which has been validated by various research studies. Homoeopathic remedy Cuprum aceticum indicated in Chronic psoriasis and lepra. Causes on Skin leprous-like eruption, without itching, over whole body, in spots of various sizes. Psorinum acts on skin causing Intolerable itching, especially on scalp and bends of joints with itching. 7 Through this case report we shall discuss how a case of Psoriasis can be managed on the basis of symptoms similarity.

CASE REPORT

A 28-year-old Male patient a software engineer by profession, presented with multiple erythematic, well circumscribed plaque lesions on trunk and extensor surface of lower limb without itching, without burning, since Two and half years at the general OPD of government homeopathic medical college Bengaluru on 10th April 2024 (fig-1) 

HISTORY OF PRESENTING COMPLAINTS

Patient was apparenttly well Two and half years ago, then patient notices erythematic small papule like lesions on chest which was progressive, multiple in number and spread over the abdomen, back and lower limb. Patient has took allopathic treatment and photo therapay was relieved temperarily, therefore  he turned towards homoeopathy.

PAST HISTORY

Medical history:  Took allopathic and photherapy treatment for same

No signficant surgical and allergic history.

FAMILY  HISTORY

Mother: CVA with right hemiplegia since 1 years

           On dialysis since 6 months

Father : T2 -Diabetes Mellitus  since 3 months

Brother : hypothyroidism

PERSONAL HISTORY

Diet : mixed

Appetite : good

Thirst : thirstless

Desire : pork meat, spicy food

Aversion : not specific

Urine: 3-4 times / day, no difficulty.

Bowel movement: Once a day, satisfactory.

Perspiration: Generalized

Sleep: Disturbed sleep at 3am to11am due to poor lifestyle.

Dreams: Occasional, cannot remember

Thermals: Ambithermal

GENERAL PHYSICAL EXMINATION

·         Conscious & oriented with time, place and person.

·         No edema, clubbing, cyanosis, icterus

·         Pallor present

·         BP- 110/70mm Hg

·         PR – 76 beats/ min

·         Temp – afebrile at the time of examination

SYSTEMIC EXAMINATION

·         Respiratory system: B/L normal vesicular breathing sounds- heard, No added sounds

·         Cardiac system – S1 & S2 heard, no murmur heard.

·         Gastrointestinal system: per abdomen soft no tenderness bowel sounds heard 2 to 4/min

REGIONAL EXAMINATION

·         Multiple, Small 2-5cm well demarcated, erythematic, drop like raised lesions on trunk of the body.

·         Raised, erythematic, well demarcated plaque with scaling lesions multiple in number on extensor and lateral surface of left and right lower limb

·         No history of bleeding

PROVISIONAL DIAGNOSIS: Guttate psoriasis

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA: Clinical history

SELECTION OF REPERTORY:  Synthesis repertory  

PRESCRIPTION: Cuprum aceticum 200 one dose for week followed by placebo for 2 weeks

BASIS OF PRESCRIPTION:  Based on single remedy rubric as case is lacking with mental and physical generals based on PQRS symptom that is without itching considering the rubric from synthesis repertory Skin- eruptions- Psoriasis- itch, without.  the presenting complaints plaque lesions without any modalities, affecting factor. In Synthesis repertory rubric Shown single remedy Cuprum aceticum6

DISCUSSION

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory hyper proliferative skin disease characterized by well- demarcated erythematous scaly plaques. William boericke In Homeopathic materia medica describes cuprum aceticum under heading: the skin Leprous-like eruption, without itching, over whole body, in spots of various sizes7. In Synthesis repertory under rubric Skin- eruptions- Psoriasis- itch, without. has single remedy Cuprum aceticum6. Considering PQRS symptom at first patient as prescribed cuprum aceticum and patient had started improvement. But after sometime improvement was stand still, therefore as intercurrent remedy Psorinum 1M prescribed. Ther after patient showed subsequent improvement and lesion started disappearing. Figure (1-5) depicted that improvement of lesion of psoriasis.

The Modified Naranjo Criteria used for assessing causal attribution of improvement yielded a Total score as per the criteria in this case is (+10) which is relatively close to the total of (+13) which signifies the positive casual attribution of individualized homoeopathic remedy to the clinical outcome.

An evidence based Homoeopathic case report of Psoriasis vulgaris done in an 23 year old male, by Dr NISHA CN. Lecturer, Department of case taking and repertorisation, Athurasramam NSS Homoeopathy medical college kottayam, Kerala university of health science, Kerala India. Based on the totality of case first prescription was done on 3 December 2020 on constitution basis and Psorinum 200C was given. Follow up of the patient was assessed monthly or as required. The outcome was analyzed by changes in clinical presentation along with improvement in general well being the dermatology life quality index score improved it indicates a positive causal relationship between the homoeopathic medicine Psorinum and clinical outcome.8  

Cuprum aceticum has shown its effectiveness in the treatment of various dermatological diseases, but definitive research on the therapeutic efficacy of Cuprum aceticum is insufficient.

CONCLUSION

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease that manifests most commonly as well-circumscribed, erythematous papules and plaques covered with silvery scales. seen more commonly adults and children, and male gender. Homoeopathy principles are based on boosting the internal immunity of a person and thereby help in arresting the progresson of the disease through body’s natural healing methods. This case report of guttate psoriasis suggest that homeopathy is effective in the management of psoriasis and highlights the lesser known remedies are effective, and guides physicians for future use.

DECLARATION OF PATIENT CONSENT

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP

Nil.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There are no conflicts of interest.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technology for manuscript preparation

The authors confirm that there was no use of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technology for assisting in the writing or editing of the manuscript, and no images were manipulated using AI.

LIST OF REFERENCES

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2.        Thappa DM, Munisamy M. Research on psoriasis in India. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2017 Aug;146(2):147–9.

3.        Bhadoriya Y. Homeopathic management of psoriasis—a case study. World J Parma Med Res. 2020;6 :250-2.

4.        World Health Organization. ICD-11: international statistical classification of diseases and related health problems: tenth revision, 2nd ed. (2004)

5.        Khanna, N. Illustrated synopsis of dermatology & sexually transmitted diseases 4TH ed. essay, Elsevier India. 2019.  pp. 43–59

6.        Archibel SA. Synthesis 1.3 android aap based on synthesis repertory Dr Frederick schroyens;2009

7.        Boericke W.Pocket manual of homoeopathic Materia medica with Indian medicine and repertory. 9/e. New delhi:Indian books and periodicals publishers;2016. Pp245,

8.     CN N. Homoeopathy in psoriasis vulgaris : A case report. IJHS .2021;5 (4):44-50. [access on 20/3/25] From ;https://www.homoeopathicjournal.com/articles/452/5-3-59-118.pdf