Acanthosis Nigricans: Ayurveda Perspective

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 may be 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 might be an indication of an underlying situation that requires therapy.

On this situation speedy replica of pores and skin cells happen as a result of extra insulin. These new cells comprise extra melanin in individuals with darker pores and skin tones. This could result in the formation of darker patches of pores and skin compared to the encompassing pores and skin. Acanthosis Nigricans is a big predictor of future diabetes.

Associated Studying – ‘Acanthosis Nigricans – causes, signs, therapy, Ayurveda Understanding’

Now allow us to see this from Ayurveda angle and dosha perspective.

Hyperpigmentation – Karshnya is among the signs of Vata Vriddhi – irregular improve 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 is likely to 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 could be related to aggravated vata or will also be triggered by the identical.

Udana Vata – It’s a subtype of vata which is answerable for bestowing color and complexion to the people. ‘Varna krit’ has been talked about clearly within the description of features of udana vata on this course. 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 of 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 could be thought of for explaining Acanthosis Nigricans.

Kushta Purvarupa

The beneath 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 among the signs of the superior phases of or complication of diabetes (neuropathy). Acanthosis Nigricans is alleged 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 line with Ayurveda.

Kapala Kushta

That is one among the many 7 kinds of Maha Kushta – higher pores and skin illnesses. It presents with blackish blue or blackish brown colored pores and skin lesions or patches. They resemble Kapala – a contemporary piece of latest 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 will probably 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 improve and Kapala Kushta is a vata predominant pores and skin dysfunction.

Eka Kushta

It’s one among the many 11 kinds of Kshudra Kushta i.e. minor pores and skin illnesses. 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 will infer that it occurs as a result 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 situations are prompted as a result of irregular proliferation of epidermal pores and skin. 

Some types of Acanthosis Nigricans are mentioned to be related to weight problems.

Acanthosis Nigricans is a predictor of future diabetes mellitus.

Weight problems and diabetes are interrelated.

In response to Ayurveda, prameha vis-à-vis diabetes is prompted as a result of contamination of medovaha srotas – fats transportation channels. Extreme accumulation of medas will result in sthoulya – weight problems and medoroga – illnesses prompted as a result of errors in fats metabolism. Meda i.e. fats is among 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 illnesses are interrelated. Acanthosis Nigricans is included underneath Kushta as now we have already mentioned.

So, prameha, kushta, medo roga and sthoulya are interrelated pathological situations / illnesses.

Ayurveda Administration of Acanthosis Nigricans

Nidana Parivarjana – The causative components of the illness needs to be saved away, particularly these that are identified to have prompted 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 rules

Acanthosis Nigricans shall be handled on the strains of therapy of beneath talked about situations –

• 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 is likely to be a gamechanger whereas included together with exterior snehana and swedana.

Udwarthana is usually a standalone therapy in these situations 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 primary Panchakarma inclusion within the therapy of Acanthosis Nigricans, Vamana could be situationally included. Sarpi-pana – consumption of medicated ghee in metered / scheduled doses could be thought of 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