Abstract

A CASE STUDY OF EFFECTIVENESS OF LYCOPODIUM IN DANDRUFF

*Dr. Riffat Khatoon, Dr. Raj Kumar Sharma, Dr. Lakhan Singh Kotiya

Abstract

Dandruff is a common scalp disorder characterized by flaking, itching, and varying degrees of irritation, often affecting personal comfort and social confidence. Although conventional measures such as medicated shampoos may provide temporary symptomatic relief, recurrence is common and constitutional aspects are often left unaddressed. Homoeopathy, by emphasizing individualization and totality of symptoms, offers a broader therapeutic approach. This case study presentse a 24- year-old male with persistent dandruff of eight months’ duration, associated with intense itching of the scalp, profuse white flaky scales, worse from heat and after washing, and marked embarrassment in public due to visible shedding over dark clothing. The patient also reported bloating after small quantities of food, craving for sweets, irritability on contradiction, reduced self-confidence despite intellectual capability, and aggravation of complaints in the late afternoon and evening. On detailed casetaking and evaluation of the characteristic mental and physical generals, Lycopodium clavatum was selected as the constitutional remedy. The patient was prescribed Lycopodium 200C in a single dose followed by placebo and observed over a period of three months. Gradual improvement was noted in itching, quantity of scaling, scalp comfort, and overall well-being. By the end of follow-up, dandruff had reduced markedly with no fresh severe relapse. This case suggests that individualized Homoeopathic prescribing with Lycopodium may be beneficial in selected patients of dandruff presenting with characteristic constitutional features.

Keywords: Dandruff, Homoeopathy, Lycopodium clavatum, Scalp scaling, Constitutional prescribing, Case study.