AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF KAKSHA W.S.R. TO HERPES ZOSTER -A CASE REPORT

BAMS PG SCHOLAR

Abstract Background: Herpes zoster, or shingles, is an acute viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same pathogen responsible for chickenpox. After primary infection, the virus remains dormant in the dorsal root ganglia and may reactivate later, producing painful, unilateral, vesicular eruptions within a dermatome. Clinically, it presents in three stages: pre-eruptive (pain and burning sensation), acute exudative (vesiculo-pustular eruptions), and chronic (post-herpetic neuralgia). In Ayurveda, this condition can be compared to Kaksha, a type of Kshudra Roga, characterized by throbbing, blackish vesicles in the axillary region extending along the arm, associated with severe pain and burning. The pathogenesis involves Pitta vitiation, primarily affecting Twak (skin) and Rakta Dhatu (blood). Management is focused on Pitta Shamana Chikitsa, which helps in Samprapti Vighatana (breaking the pathogenesis) and Dosha Shamana (pacification of vitiated dosha). Thus, analyzing both perspectives, Herpes zoster and Kaksha share close similarities in symptomatology and treatment principles. Materials and Methods: A 76-year-old female presented with vesicular eruptions on her right thigh, accompanied by severe pain and burning sensation. The lesions appeared as multiple fluid-filled vesicles grouped together on an erythematous base, surrounded by classical inflammatory signs including ruber, calor, and dolar. Considering the resemblance of these features to Kaksha described in Ayurveda, a Pitta-hara (Pitta-pacifying) line of treatment was adopted for management. Observation and Result: The skin blisters began to dry and shrink. They eventually fell off without spreading further or recurring. A few healing spots showed slight yellow discharge. Pain and burning sensation had completely disappeared.

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