PAMA (Scabies): An ayurvedic literature review

Abstract

Skin diseases are being considered as a major health problem in children, as it leads to discomfort and significant morbidity among them. The skin is often a marker of underlying systemic disorders and many hereditary syndromes. Scabies is a common skin infestation of tiny mites called “Sarcoptes scabiei”. It is very contagious and usually spreads through skin-to-skin contact with someone who is already infected. Infants and children are therefore particularly liable to infection from close physical contact with older children and adults at home and at school. In Ayurvedic classics, various skin disorders have been described under the heading of Kushtha. Pama Kushtha is being a Kshudra Kushtha has Pitta-Kapha dominance and it is characterized by extreme itchy eruptions of white, reddish or black in color. On the basis of symptomatology of Pama Kushtha described by the Acharyas; one can correlate this with Scabies. The best way to prevent the spread of the Scabies mites is to maintain personal hygiene and avoid direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact with the infested person.