Efficiency of Ayurveda modalities in the management of Switra (Vitiligo): A case report

Beauty and attraction of an individual depend on skin condition. However, there are certain pathologies which wipe out this beauty and attraction by altering skin health. Vitiligo is a condition, which means “to have white skin.” In Ayurveda, it is referred as Switra or Kilasa and cited under the category of Kushta rogas (~skin diseases). It is caused by the imbalance of all the three Doshas (~three regulatory functional factors of the body) vitiating Rakta (~blood tissue), Mamsa (~muscle tissue), and Medas (~fat tissue). A 32-year-old male came to the outpatient department with complaints of chalky white patches with hypo-pigmented border without itching over the chest and face for two years, gradually spreading over the chest. The patient was treated with Ayurvedic oral medications and Virechana karma (~therapeutic purgation) along with the instructions of Pathya (~wholesome diet and lifestyle) and Apathya (~unwholesome diet and lifestyle). After treatment, there was repigmentation of skin without any side effects. The treatment modalities showed color changes of patches from chalky white to pinkish inferring that Ayurveda has treatment approaches to manage condition like Switra (~vitiligo).