Abstract

BULLOUS PEMPHIGOID TREATED WITH HOMOEOPATHY: A CASE REPORT

*Dr. Tushita Thakur

Abstract

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a chronic, subepidermal autoimmune blistering skin disease that usually occurs in the elderly population.[1- 4] Itching is often the first symptom followed by large tense blisters on erythematous base filled with clear or hemorrhagic fluid that don't easily rupture when touched.[1- 3,5] Its diagnosis can be confirmed by histology, direct and indirect immunofluorescence.[1,6] The conventional treatment of BP involves systemic anti-inflammatory oral corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs.[3,4] It usually resolves after 3-6 years without treatment; and in 1.5-5 years with conventional treatment. Lesions usually heal without scarring or milia formation. Patients who receive high-doses of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications are at risk for side effects including peptic ulcers, GI bleeding, agranulocytosis and diabetes etc.[4,7] Published literature indicates that most deaths associated with BP are secondary to adverse effects conventional treatment.[4, 7] A boy aged 7 years presented in the OPD with multiple pruritic tense blisters on the right leg for the previous 2.5 years. The patient had taken conventional treatment at a tertiary care public hospital for 2 years; itching was controlled and the blisters reduced in size and number; however the condition was not cured. The patient was not taking any medicines for the last 6 months. The homoeopathic medicine Rhus Venenata 30C was prescribed on the basis of totality of symptoms and repertorisation. Lesions were reduced considerably within 7 days and completely in 14 days. Three month post treatment follow up showed no recurrence. Skin lesion photographs before treatment and during follow-up visits have provided documentary evidence about the effectiveness of homoeopathic treatment in Bullous phemphigoid.

Keywords: Case report, Bullous Pemphigoid, Rhus Venenata, Homoeopathy.