Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ayu) & Dr Manasa S, BAMS
Acanthosis Nigricans presents with hyperpigmentation of pores and skin. This happens primarily on the pores and skin folds and creases. There’s notable thickening, itching, odour and look of tags over the affected pores and skin.
Frequent areas whereby Acanthosis Nigricans is manifested is – sides or again of neck, arms, groin, anal or genital areas, in skinfolds – again of the knees, underneath the breasts, crooks of the elbow. It could be an indication of an underlying situation that requires therapy.
On this situation fast replica of pores and skin cells happen because of extra insulin. These new cells comprise extra melanin in folks with darker pores and skin tones. This might result in the formation of darker patches of pores and skin compared to the encircling pores and skin. Acanthosis Nigricans is a big predictor of future diabetes.
Associated Studying – ‘Acanthosis Nigricans – causes, symptoms, treatment, Ayurveda Understanding’
Now allow us to see this from Ayurveda angle and dosha perspective.
Hyperpigmentation – Karshnya is without doubt one of the signs of Vata Vriddhi – irregular enhance of vata. Karshnya means ‘blackish discolouration’. Karshnya additionally explains hyperpigmentation.
Pores and skin thickening – on the pores and skin fold and creases related to itching and look of tags may be a situation which is attributable to predominance of vata and kapha.
Summing up
- If there’s hyperpigmentation on the talked about locations of the physique with out thickening of pores and skin, it may be a pure vata situation.
- If there’s thickening of pores and skin on the talked about locations of the physique related to hyperpigmentation, it’s a kapha-vata situation.
Additionally,
Bhrajaka Pitta – It’s a subtype of pitta which imparts pure color and complexion to the pores and skin. Hyper-expression or over manufacturing of Bhrajaka Pitta within the locations meant for manifestation of Acanthosis Nigricans can contribute to hyperpigmentation. Elevated Bhrajaka Pitta may be related to aggravated vata or may also be triggered by the identical.
Udana Vata – It’s a subtype of vata which is liable for bestowing color and complexion to the people. ‘Varna krit’ has been talked about clearly within the description of capabilities of udana vata on this path. Udana Vata dysfunctions can even produce hyperpigmentation and associated signs of Acanthosis Nigricans.
Since Acanthosis Nigricans is a pores and skin dysfunction, it needs to be thought-about underneath the umbrella of ‘Kushta’. Kushta encompasses big range of pores and skin problems, main, minor, curable and incurable ones.
Seeing the dosha predominance in Kushta, Vata or Vata-Kapha sort of Kushta, particularly these presenting with hyperpigmentation, thickness of pores and skin or each may be thought-about for explaining Acanthosis Nigricans.
Kushta Purvarupa
The under talked about options talked about amongst the premonitory signs of Kushta level in direction of the signs of Acanthosis Nigricans –
- Ati Khara Sparsha – extreme roughness of the pores and skin
- Vivarnata / Vaivarnyam – discoloration of the pores and skin
- Kandu – itching
Twachi Swapaha / Sparshaagnatwam – numbness or lack of sensation or really feel of contact is talked about among the many purvarupas of Kushta. This is without doubt one of the signs of the superior phases of or complication of diabetes (neuropathy). Acanthosis Nigricans is claimed to be a cutaneous marker of diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance. Grasp Charaka has positioned chapter of Kushta Chikitsa (therapy of pores and skin problems) instantly after the chapter of Prameha Chikitsa (therapy of diabetes) in ‘Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana’ part. This establishes the connection between diabetes and pores and skin problems in keeping with Ayurveda.
Kapala Kushta
That is one among the many 7 forms of Maha Kushta – better pores and skin ailments. It presents with blackish blue or blackish brown colored pores and skin lesions or patches. They resemble Kapala – a recent piece of recent earthen pot. They’re dry and tough, spreads abruptly and has ache. Although not precisely, the options match with these of Acanthosis Nigricans. The seat of Kapala Kushta has not been specified. So, it might additionally happen on the pores and skin folds and creases. Kapala like look and being dry and tough depicts thickening of pores and skin and the irregular discolouration of pores and skin talked about within the context factors in direction of hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is a function of vata enhance and Kapala Kushta is a vata predominant pores and skin dysfunction.
Eka Kushta
It’s one among the many 11 forms of Kshudra Kushta i.e. minor pores and skin ailments. It’s a massive patch – lesion. It’s described as Matsya shakala upamam – resembling the pores and skin of a fish – scaly, tough and thick, elevated – all of that are options of Acanthosis Nigricans. This situation is attributable to vata and kapha. Vata contributes to hyperpigmentation and kapha to thickness. Although darkish pores and skin has not been talked about within the Ayurveda description, we are able to infer that it occurs because of involvement of vata.
Charma Kushta / Charmakhya Kushta
That is additionally one among the many 11 sorts of Kshudra Kushta. The pores and skin patch / lesion seems like pores and skin of an elephant – described as hasti charmavat. The pores and skin is thick and devoid of layers. This situation can be attributable to mixed aggravation of vata and kapha. Resemblance with hasti charma signifies thick and darkish pores and skin, as in Acanthosis Nigricans.
Dosha Pradhana Kushta
Vata Pradhana Kushta – The phrases kharam – roughness, shyavam – blackish discolouration and ruksham – dryness signifies Acanthosis Nigricans like patches in vata predominant kushta.
All these circumstances are precipitated because of irregular proliferation of epidermal pores and skin.
Some types of Acanthosis Nigricans are stated to be related to weight problems.
Acanthosis Nigricans is a predictor of future diabetes mellitus.
Weight problems and diabetes are interrelated.
Based on Ayurveda, prameha vis-à-vis diabetes is precipitated because of contamination of medovaha srotas – fats transportation channels. Extreme accumulation of medas will result in sthoulya – weight problems and medoroga – ailments precipitated because of errors in fats metabolism. Meda i.e. fats is without doubt one of the tissues concerned within the pathogenesis of prameha.
So, each Ayurveda and fashionable drugs agree on the interrelationship between weight problems and diabetes.
Grasp Charaka tells that Prameha and Kushta – pores and skin ailments are interrelated. Acanthosis Nigricans is included underneath Kushta as we have now already mentioned.
So, prameha, kushta, medo roga and sthoulya are interrelated pathological circumstances / ailments.
Ayurveda Administration of Acanthosis Nigricans
Nidana Parivarjana – The causative elements of the illness needs to be saved away, particularly these that are identified to have precipitated or triggering the illness or its signs. They could be meals, actions, habits or behaviours. On this context, meals and actions which worsen vata or kapha or each, and people which trigger kushta, sthoulya, medoroga, prameha and contamination of fats transporting channels shall be saved away.
Different therapy ideas
Acanthosis Nigricans shall be handled on the traces of therapy of under talked about circumstances –
- Kushta – Vata or Kapha predominant Kushta
- Prameha
- Medoroga
- Sthoulya
- Medovaha Sroto Dushti
This goes with the rule that the therapy needs to be focussed on the underlying illness which is inflicting the situation being addressed, Acanthosis Nigricans on this context. Whereas treating sthoulya or medoroga on the backdrop of the talked about illness, precedence needs to be given in direction of deliberate weight discount in order to resolve hyperkeratotic lesions, as in karshnya. Udwarthana may be a gamechanger whereas included together with exterior snehana and swedana.
Udwarthana generally is a standalone therapy in these circumstances or could also be included amidst Panchakarma detox applications, whereas abhyana and swedana are administered as preparation for virechana.
Panchakarma Therapies
Whereas Virechana is the principle Panchakarma inclusion within the therapy of Acanthosis Nigricans, Vamana may be situationally included. Sarpi-pana – consumption of medicated ghee in metered / scheduled doses may be thought-about in vata predominant signs in kushta.
Helpful formulations
- Tiktaka Kashayam / Ghrtam
- Mahatiktaka Kashayam / Ghrtam
- Varanadi Kashayam / Ghrtam
- Guggulutiktaka Kashayam / Ghrtam
- Aragwadhadi Kashayam
- Patolakaturohinyadi Kashayam
- Varadi Kashayam
- Nishakatakadi Kashayam
- Mahamanjishtadi Kashayam
- Dhanwantaram Ghrtam
- Navaka Guggulu
- Triphala Guggulu
