Changes

All the types of kushtha are caused due to vitiation of tridosha with involvement of skin, blood, lymph and muscular issue.  Kushtha is often translated in English as leprosy, which is not correct because of absence of Mycobacterium leprae, though the appearance of skin lesions of mahakushtha resemble leprosy. Etiological factors of kushtha are antagonistic food, toxins released from suppressed natural urges, and practices harmful to the blood and skin. It is tridoshaja disease, but because of variable proportion of one specific dosha, causes variation in features and prognosis. Variable doshic impact on skin, gives different color, complexion, pain sensitivity, texture, deformities, discharge, and tactile perception. Generalized symptoms appear only in prodromal stage.  

All the types of kushtha are caused due to vitiation of tridosha with involvement of skin, blood, lymph and muscular issue.  Kushtha is often translated in English as leprosy, which is not correct because of absence of Mycobacterium leprae, though the appearance of skin lesions of mahakushtha resemble leprosy. Etiological factors of kushtha are antagonistic food, toxins released from suppressed natural urges, and practices harmful to the blood and skin. It is tridoshaja disease, but because of variable proportion of one specific dosha, causes variation in features and prognosis. Variable doshic impact on skin, gives different color, complexion, pain sensitivity, texture, deformities, discharge, and tactile perception. Generalized symptoms appear only in prodromal stage.  

In the context of kushtha, four aspects of skin are important. First is that it consists of six layers [as described in Sharira sthana chapter 4], and each layer is seat of specific type of gradually progressing kushtha.

In the context of kushtha, four aspects of skin are important. First is that it consists of six layers [as described in Sharira sthana chapter 4], and each layer is seat of specific type of gradually progressing kushtha.

Second aspect is that it is a sensory organ too, and is seat of vata dosha. In case of kushtha vitiated vata in skin manifests as, horripilations, numbness, and loss of tactile perceptions.  

 

Second aspect is that it is a sensory organ too, and is seat of vata dosha. In case of kushtha vitiated vata in skin manifests as, horripilations, numbness, and loss of tactile perceptions.  

Third aspect, skin is the sub-tissue or upadhatu of mansadhatu, texture of skin depends upon muscle texture, so the dermal deformities spread upto the mansa dhatu or musculature and skin texture causing ugly shape of skin lesions. Lastly, affliction of deeper layers of skin deteriorates the ulcer healing ability of skin and damages the defense mechanisms against enormous pathological invasions. Thus, the kushtha stands for long time with more and more uglier shape.  

Third aspect, skin is the sub-tissue or upadhatu of mansadhatu, texture of skin depends upon muscle texture, so the dermal deformities spread upto the mansa dhatu or musculature and skin texture causing ugly shape of skin lesions. Lastly, affliction of deeper layers of skin deteriorates the ulcer healing ability of skin and damages the defense mechanisms against enormous pathological invasions. Thus, the kushtha stands for long time with more and more uglier shape.  

This chapter is placed after “Prameha chikitsa”, because one of the complications of prameha is carbuncle, which penetrates deeper into the muscles and is very similar to kushtha but the etio-pathogenesis is very different. Indulging in heavy to digest food products is responsible for increase of kleda [excess moisture] in the body. Such kleda is carried by mutra and leads to increase in quantity and frequency of mutra leading to pathogenesis of prameha. When same kleda spreads throughout the body causes shaithilyata (looseness of body tissue) and also vitiates meda dhatu. Vitiated kleda and meda are responsible for mansa dusti which is responsible for pidika genesis and manifest as change in colour, texture and sensation of tvacha (skin). This leads to various skin diseases.  

This chapter is placed after “Prameha chikitsa”, because one of the complications of prameha is carbuncle, which penetrates deeper into the muscles and is very similar to kushtha but the etio-pathogenesis is very different. Indulging in heavy to digest food products is responsible for increase of kleda [excess moisture] in the body. Such kleda is carried by mutra and leads to increase in quantity and frequency of mutra leading to pathogenesis of prameha. When same kleda spreads throughout the body causes shaithilyata (looseness of body tissue) and also vitiates meda dhatu. Vitiated kleda and meda are responsible for mansa dusti which is responsible for pidika genesis and manifest as change in colour, texture and sensation of tvacha (skin). This leads to various skin diseases.