What is the Ayurvedic Perspective of Auto-Immune Bullous Skin Disorders?

The skin diseases are becoming common, but we don’t have knowledge about few rare skin diseases that is known as autoimmune bullous disease. It is characterized by subepidermal and intraepidermal bullae formations. This is formed due to production of auto antibodies against the dermal-epidermal and epidermis junction. As per Ayurveda all kinds of skin disorders are due to an imbalance of pitta dosha in the body. Firstly, let’s have a look at the different types of auto-immune bullous skin disorders.

• Pemphigus Vulgaris: the onset of this type of skin disease is seen in middle-aged people between the age of 40 to 60 years. It is equally seen in men and women. This disease involves the skin and mucous membranes. The lesions initially start in the oral mucosa followed by skin lesions in later months.
• These lesions are painful and often cause a burning sensation. It may be accompanied by malaise, weakness, dysphagia, hoarseness, and epistaxis. These lesions are round to oval in shape. The sites where these are often seen are scalp, chest, face, axillae, groin, and umbilicus. Other sites may include larynx and pharynx.

• Paraneoplastic Pemphigus: it is a rare entity that usually starts at the age of 60 years or more. Women are more prone as compared to men. These are commonly seen in the sites like lips, oral mucosa associated with severe and multiple persistent erosions. In this type, the symptoms like sore throat and dysphagia may involve.
• Bullous Pemphigoid: this auto-immune disorder is featured by subepidermal blistering that are large and tense bullae. The onset is seen in elderly in between the age of 60 to 80 years of age. Tenderness is seen at the site of eroded lesions. These erosions are located in the axillae, groin, abdomen, medial thigh, flexor forearm, medial thigh, and lower leg
• Cicatricial Pemphigoid: it is characterized by erosion of the skin and mucous membrane. This may include larynx, nasopharynx, esophagus, rectal mucosa, and genitalia.
• Dermatitis Herpetiformis: it is a chronic disease characterized by urticarial wheals and papulovesicular lesions located on extensor surface. The onset of this condition is seen between the ages of 20 to 40 years. Rarely the lesions are seen in the extensor surfaces that include shoulders, elbows, knees, buttocks, and sacral areas. Some lesions are less frequently found on the face, scalp, posterior neck, and hairline.
• Linear IgA Disease: it is a rare condition that involves linear deposition of IgA with the basement membrane. This is a chronic disease seen in the childhood and adulthood. In adults this disease is most commonly present in patients older than 30 years. These lesions are often seen on the buttocks, knees, and elbows. Burning sensation and inflammation is felt in this type.

The main cause for autoimmune bullous dermatoses is weak immune system.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Autoimmune Bullous Dermatoses

In Ayurveda, there are numerous herbs that deal with all types of immune disorders. As in this disorder mainly skin is affected so planet Ayurveda offers a whole skin care pack that will deal with it. This skin care pack comprises of various herbs that work efficiently to treat this disease. The pack contains four products Aloe vitals capsule, Radiant skin, hair nail formula capsules, Neem capsules, and Kumkumadi oil.

Each Product Description in Detail

1. Aloe Vitals Capsule

These capsules are prepared from the standardized extract of herb Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis). This herb manages all types of acute or chronic skin problems. Usage of these capsules provide nourishment, deal with inflammation, burning sensation, and lesions. All types of auto-immune bullous skin disorders can be treated with the use of these capsules. It is rich in vitamin C and E and maintain a healthy skin.

Dosage: Take one to two capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Radiant Skin Hair Nail Formula

These herbal capsules are prepared from herbs like Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia)

मंजिष्ठा मधुरा तिक्ता कषाया स्वरवर्णकृत।

(Bhavprakash nighantu, haritkyadi varg shlok no 190)

गुरुरूक्षणा विषश्लेष्मशोथयोन्यक्षिकर्णरुक।

रक्ताततीसारकुष्ठस्त्रीसर्पव्रणमेहनुत

(Bhavprakash nighantu, haritkyadi varg shlok no 191)

This shloka states that Manjistha herb is sweet, bitter, and astringent in taste. It has hot potency. It improves voice quality and enhances skin complexion. The herb acts as an antidote, treat kapha disorder, swelling or vaginal disorder. It treats ear and eye disorders. This herb can be used in bleeding stool, skin diseases, blood disorders, herpes, wound, and diabetes.

, Chirata (Swertia chiretta), Pit papda (Fumaria officinalis), Ghrit kumari (Aloe barbadensis) that give good results in skin problems. All these herbs show anti-oxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties deal with the pain, inflammation, burning sensation of the skin. Usage of the capsules build a natural immunity that deals with the autoimmune diseases. Manjistha herb is very good for skin related issues. It will deal with the lesions related to this disease. Ghrit kumari is rich in vitamin C and E that will provide a superb nourishment to the skin. Chirata herb deal with the inflammatory issues. It relieves burning sensation. Pit papda reduces swelling, inflammation, and burning sensation.

Dosage: Take one to two capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

3. Neem Capsules

The capsules are prepared from the standardized extract of herb Neem (Azadirachta indica). This herb has been used since ancient time for all skin disorder, hence give effective result in auto-immune bullous skin diseases. All lesions, inflammation, pain, and burning sensation are treated with the regular use of these capsules.

Dosage: Take one to two capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

निम्बपत्रं स्मृतं नेत्र्यं कृमि पित्तविषप्राणुत।  वातलं कटु पक्श्चम सर्वा रोचक कुष्टनु

(Bhavprakash nighantu Guduchayadi varg shlok no 15)

This shloka states that neem leaves are good for eyes, wounds, pitta related problems. It is bitter in taste and pungent after digestion. Neem leaves give good results in all skin disorders.

4. Kumkumadi Thailam

This herbal oil is prepared form herbs like Rakta Chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus), Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Yastimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Daruhaldi (Berberis aristata), Ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides), Padmaka (Prunus puddum), Vat (Ficus benghalensis), Kesar (Crocus sativus) etc. These herbs in combination give good result in all types of auto-immune bullous skin disorder. It reduces inflammation, burning sensation, and itching.

Method of application: Apply over the affected area of the skin twice daily.