Erythema Multiforme, also known as Stevens - Johnson syndrome, is a medical disorder of the skin and mucous membranes and is characterized by red skin lesions covering about 10 to 30% of the body surface area. The lesions start really healing after about 7 days, but may have a tendency to recur. While the mild presentation of the disease is known as Erythema Multiforme, the severe involvement, covering about 30% of the surface area of the skin, is known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, which is associated with a more severe morbidity and mortality. A disturbed immunity is believed to be responsible for the occurrence of Erythema Multiforme or toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Erythema Multiforme as well as for toxic epidermal necrolysis is aimed at treating the skin lesions as well as correcting the pathology of the conditions. Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a specific action on the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, as well as the mucous membranes are used in high doses so as to bring about a rapid relief from the lesions. The herbal medicines used for this condition have an anti-inflammatory as well as a soothing action on the capillaries present below the skin. These medicines heal the damage and bring about a rapid resolution of the lesions. Toxic epidermal necrolysis needs to be treated more aggressively because of its serious nature.
Since the root cause of the condition is a dispute disturbed immunity, Ayurvedic herbal immunomodulatory medicines are used in high uses in order to rapidly correct the immune status of the affected individual. This brings about a rapid response for all the symptoms of Erythema multiforme as well as toxic epidermal necrolysis. Once the lesions start healing, other Ayurvedic herbal medicines are added to strengthen the connective tissue of the skin and mucous membranes as well as the blood vessels supplying these areas. Most patients affected with Erythema multiforme need treatment for about four to eight weeks in order to complete recover from this condition. Individuals affected with toxic epidermal necrolysis may require treatment for about four to six months. Prolonged treatment is essential in order to bring about a complete healing as well as prevent relapse after discontinuation of therapy.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously utilised in the management and treatment of Erythema multiforme as well as toxic epidermal necrolysis.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
