A classical ayurvedic approach to scalp psoriasis: Successful management of kitiba kuṣṭha – a case report

Background

Scalp psoriasis (Kitiba Kushtha) affects up to 79% of psoriatic patients, causing severe pruritus, dense silver-white scaling, and profound psychosocial distress disproportionate to the 10% body surface area it occupies. This case study evaluates an Ayurvedic protocol for severe scalp psoriasis. A 34-year-old female physical educator presented with a 5-year history of progressive, severe itching and thick, powdery, scaly plaques covering almost the entire scalp and extending to the nape of the neck. On local examination, diffuse, irregular, coalescing plaques with dense, adherent silvery-white scales over erythematous skin. Treatments like Deepana & Pachana, Abhyanga, and Bashpa sweda, and Sodhana like Virechana, along with Shamana & Topical Management, were performed.