EVALUATION OF EFFICACY OF HIJAMAH BIL SHURT (WET CUPPING) IN MANAGEMENT OF PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a chronic disorder with impact on quality of life and its high rate of relapse is noted every now and then. The disease of psoriasis has been prevalent in mankind since time immorial and the disease runs a chronic course. Da-us-sadaf (psoriasis) is an Arabic word da meaning disease and as sadaf meaning molluscum shell. Psoriasis is marked by shell like silvery white scales or flakes which keep on shedding from the horny layer of skin. Many eitioathological conditions predispose to psoriasis which includes genetic, environmental and immunological factors. According to Unani system of medicine, preponderance of melancholic humours present in human body is believed to be the cause. The prevalence of psoriasis in India varies from 0.44 to 2.8%. Hijamah (cupping) is one of the oldest method of treatment of Unani system of medicine in with cups are used to produce suction and bloodletting is done from the affected area. During our study cups were applied at interscapular area between the vertebral T1 –T3. The study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of the hijamah bil shurt along with internal use of unani medicine under the principles of holistic approach for the management of disease. The patients of both sexes where included in the study, with average age of 10.5 years and were not getting good relieve from previous medication they used for same. All these patients were subjected to wet cupping at the designated areas and internal use of unani medicine. The patients were subjected to wet cupping after every week in the first month and after every 15 days for two months. After the treatment with hijamah bil shurt and unani medicine the patients got 100% relief from the symptoms of the disease. The study showed that Hijamah bil shurt is very effective in the management of psoriasis along with oral Unani medication.