Introduction:
Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory skin disorder characterized by the rapid proliferation of skin cells, leading to the formation of thick, scaly, erythematous (red) plaques. It is a non-contagious, chronic, often painful, and disfiguring condition that affects both men and women and can appear at any age, though it commonly begins in early adulthood or middle age. It can negatively impact patients’ quality of life. Conventional treatment includes local and systemic therapies, as well as phototherapy. The need for treatment is usually lifelong as remission occurs frequently.
Case Summary:
We present a case report of a 56-year-old woman with psoriasis lesions consisting of thick, scaly, white plaques, particularly prominent on the dorsum of the feet, for one year with intolerable itching. After detailed case-taking, Sepia 200C was administered. The case was completely cured after three months of regular treatment with individualized homeopathic medicine without any adverse effects.
Keywords – Sepia Officinalis, Autoimmune Disorder, Homeopathy, Psoriasis
Introduction:
The word psoriasis is derived from the Greek word Psora meaning itching and Iasis meaning condition. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease marked by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and systemic immune activation. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form, characterized by raised, red patches covered with silvery-white scales, often found on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Psoriasis is a non contagious autoimmune disease of the skin and joints. Psoriasis affects the skin and nails and is known to have many complications. The disease can be localized or generalized, and the lesions are usually symmetrical, well-defined, red pustular plaques, often covered with white or silvery scales. It mainly causes itching and pain. Psoriasis can affect individuals physically, emotionally, and socially, greatly impacting the overall quality of life.
Observational studies evaluating the impact of homeopathic treatment in psoriasis patients receiving standard medical care have shown notable improvement in diagnoses and symptom severity. Additionally, there was a marked improvement in patients’ quality of life, coupled with a significant reduction in conventional treatment usage and healthcare service utilization. While conventional treatments include topical steroids, phototherapy, and systemic agents, many patients seek complementary therapies due to side effects and the chronic nature of the disease. Homeopathy, based on the principle of individualization and the “like cures like” philosophy, offers a promising alternative.
Patient Information:
A 56-year-old female homemaker presented with raised, scaly lesions persisting for one year, predominantly affecting the dorsum of her feet, which bled upon scratching. The lesions were red with marked scaling and intolerable itching. Her itching was aggravated by cold air, washing the affected area, night-time, water exposure (getting wet, laundry work, washing clothes), dry skin, cold (especially at night and during sleep), and touch.
History of Present Illness:
Complaints started one year ago on the dorsal aspect of the feet with itching, burning sensation, and white scaling, gradually spreading to other areas over time.
- Aggravation: Exposure to water (laundry work, bathing), cold weather, night-time, and after scratching.
- Amelioration: Hot applications and exposure to fresh air. Scratching provided no relief.
She took conventional treatment (anti-allergic drugs) for ten days and experienced temporary relief. However, a few days later, she noticed red raised lesions on her feet that gradually spread over her leg in upward direction, accompanied by itching and pain. She again took conventional treatment (topical corticosteroid ointment and other prescribed allopathic drugs), resulting in some temporary relief. Erythematous plaques of varying sizes, covered with white scales on thick, dry, well-demarcated skin, were observed.
Mental State:
The patient exhibited irritability, sadness, and was easily angered. She was anxious about her family’s health and often wept when discussing her health issues.
- Desires: Pickles; aversion to milk.
- Sleep: Disturbed at night due to excessive itching.
- Bowel Habits: Hard stools with irregular frequency.
She lived in a village, was married, and had two children. She reported a good relationship with her husband and children. No other relevant medical history was noted during case-taking.
Clinical Findings:
The lesions initially appeared on the dorsal aspect of both feet and spread centripetally. The erythematous plaques of varying sizes were covered with white scales, found on thick and dry, well-demarcated skin. The distribution of patches and scales was asymmetrical, bilateral, and scattered over the dorsal surface of the lower limbs and feet. Her skin was dry and sensitive to touch.
- Aggravation: Exposure to water (laundry work, bathing), cold weather, night-time, and after scratching.
- Amelioration: Hot applications and exposure to fresh air.
General Symptoms:
- Desire for sour things, aversion to milk.
- The patient was thermally chilly.
- Sleep: Disturbed, with dreams of worrying about family.
- Emotional State: Anxious, constantly worried about children, sadness, and frequent weeping when describing symptoms.
Diagnostic Assessment:
On examination, the Auspitz sign was positive. Based on clinical findings and history, the diagnosis was confirmed to be plaque psoriasis.
Totality of Symptoms:
After analysis and evaluation, the totality was constructed based on the following symptoms: • Anxiety and constant worry about family and health.
- Sadness with weeping when discussing symptoms.
- Itching, burning sensation, and white scaling on the dorsum of the foot.Itching not relieved by scratching.
- Symptoms worsened after exposure to cold, water, touch, night, dryness, and washing clothes. • Mentally very sensitive and irritable, easily angered.
- Desires pickles (sour things).
Therapeutic Intervention:
Prescription:
- Sepia 200C twice weekly for 1 month
- Sac Lac continued twice daily
Follow-Up & Outcome:
First Follow-Up (After 1 Month):
- Significant reduction in itching and burning sensations.
- Scaling reduced by approximately 60%.
- Sleep quality improved.
- Notable improvement in mental state: reduced irritability and anxiety.
- Bowel habits improved, with softer stools reported.
Second Follow-Up (After 2 Months):
- Lesions significantly faded, with only mild residual scaling.
- Complete cessation of burning sensations.
- Emotional well-being stabilized, with the patient expressing a more positive outlook. • Continued improvement in sleep and bowel movements.
- Sac Lac continued twice daily.
Final Follow-Up (After 3 Months):
- Complete remission of psoriatic plaques.
- No new lesions observed.
- No recurrence of symptoms reported for 3 months post-treatment.
- Sac Lac continued twice daily.
Discussion:
This case demonstrates the effectiveness of Sepia 200C in treating plaque psoriasis, emphasizing the holistic approach of homeopathy. The remedy addressed not only physical symptoms but also the patient’s emotional and mental state, highlighting the interconnectedness of mind and body in chronic disease management. The improvement in skin symptoms correlated with enhancements in mental well-being, suggesting that the constitutional remedy played a pivotal role in achieving long-term remission.
Conclusion:
Sepia 200C proved effective in the treatment of plaque psoriasis in this case, leading to significant improvement in both physical and emotional symptoms. This case supports the potential role of individualized homeopathic treatment in managing chronic skin conditions like psoriasis.
References:
- Boericke, W. (1927). Pocket Manual of Homœopathic Materia Medica Comprising the Characteristic and Guiding Symptoms of All Remedies (clinical and Pathogenetic).
- Kent, J. T. (1989). Lectures on homoeopathic materia medica: Together with Kent’s “New Remedies” Incorporated and Arranged in One Alphabetical Order. B. Jain Publishers. 3. Loscalzo, J., Fauci, A. S., Kasper, D. L., Hauser, S., Longo, D., & Jameson, J. L. (2022). Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, Twenty-First Edition (Vol.1 & Vol.2). McGraw Hill Professional.
- DAVIDSON’S PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF MEDICINE INTERNATIONAL EDITION. (2022). 5. Phatak, S. R. (1999). Materia medica of homoeopathic medicines. B. Jain Publishers.
Author
Dr. Praveen Beedkar – MD(Hom) , Ass. Prof.-Dept. of practice of medicine , DKMM HMC, Chh. Sambhaji nagar
