Psoriasis

maybe informative #Leech Therapy Leeches are carnivorous or blood sucking annelid worms with pronounced ability to extend or contract their bodies. They are hermaphrodite in nature and are distributed all over the world, except the polar zones, deserts and altitudes exceeding 3,700 m. In India, about 45 species belonging to 22 genera occur. The common Indian species are Hirudinaria granulosa, H. viridis, H. javanica, and H. manillensis. These species are also common in Burma, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Haemadipsa is a land leech of the hills of Southern India. The medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) is a European species which has been introduced into certain ponds and streams of the eastern portion of the United States. It is relatively large leech often growing to 10 or more centimeters in length. It feeds upon blood of a vertebrate to which it periodically attaches itself.Among Indian leeches, Hirudinaria granulosa has got medicinal properties. It is a common leech found in freshwater tanks, ponds lakes, swamps, and slow streams. It prefers shallow water and remains concealed under weeds, logs and stones. It is sanguivorous (blood-sucking), sucking the blood of fishes and frogs and also of cattle or human beings when they enter the pond. It is abundantly found in the states of Tamilnadu, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Leeches are blood sucking worms with segmented bodies and belong to the same large classification of worms as earthworms. These can primarily be found in freshwater lakes, ponds or rivers ranging from 5mm to nearly 25 cm and have two characteristic suckers located at either end of their bodies. To feed, a leech first attaches itself to the host using the suckers. One of these suckers surrounds the leech's mouth, which contain three sets of jaws, each consisting of about 80 calcareous teeth that bite into the host's flesh, making a Y-shaped incision. Between the teeth, lie little openings through which the saliva is secreted. As the leech begins to feed, its saliva releases chemicals that dilate blood vessels, decreases the blood viscosity and deaden the pain of the bite. CLASSIFICATION OF LEECHES For the purpose of therapeutic application, Unani scholars have classified leeches into poisonous leeches and non poisonous (useful) leeches on the basis of specific characteristics. The features of therapeutically useful leeches are leeches with thin tiny head, emerald green colour, tiny and rounded like rat's tail and leeches found in moist rich places where frogs are in abundance. Leeches with long head, black, grey or green colour are described as poisonous. PROCEDURE OF LEECH THERAPY The legendary Unani scholar, Ibne Sina in his famous treatise “Canon of Medicine”, an encyclopedia of medicine which served as a standard text book of medicine in Europe till 17th century A.D, has described the procedure of Leech therapy in a very comprehensive manner and narrated the following steps of the whole procedure:- Pre-leeching procedure involving collection of leeches; preservation of leeches and selection of suitable patient. Leeching Procedure Proper Post-leeching Procedure involving separation of leech; vomiting of leech and control of bleeding. Ibne Sina narrated that leeches should be collected just one day prior to their use. Patient is advised to take light semi-solid diet prior to the procedure. The affected part to be treated is thoroughly washed with distilled water or with a solution of borax and rubbed until redness appears. If the leech is reluctant to attach, a tiny droplet of blood may be smeared on the part to be treated and then leech is applied. Usually, one or more leeches are applied to the affected area and left for half an hour. Once the leech is attached, it will likely remain safely in place until fully distended but it is essential to check the site continuously to insure that the leech hasn′t separated. Thereafter, the leeches are detached with a very careful manner by pulling them off or by loosening their grip with table salt, borax or heat but sometimes leeches detach automatically. The used leeches are then killed and disposed off. MECHANISM OF ACTION According to the Unani doctrine, leech therapy works on the principles of Tanqiyae Mawad (Evacuation of morbid humours) and Imalae Mawad (Diversion of humours). Tanqiyae Mawad means the resolution and excretion of morbid humors and excess fluids from the body, thereby maintaining the homeostasis in the quality and quantity of four body humors, which is actually responsible for the maintenance of normal health. Imalae Mawad refers to the diversion of the morbid fluids from the site of affected organ to the site where from it is easily expelled from the body tissues. Based on this holistic approach, Unani physicians have been widely using this therapeutic regimen for a number of diseases. The effectiveness of this therapy may also be attributed to the Mussakin (sedative) and Muhallil (anti-inflammatory) actions of saliva of leeches. However, from modern perspective, as proved by various research studies, the efficacy of leech therapy lies not in the amount of blood that leeches ingested, but also in the anticoagulant enzymes of the saliva that allow blood to flow from the bite after the leech is detached. Moreover, the saliva of leech contains about 100 pharmacologically active biological substances which contribute to the special property of leech. These include anticoagulants like hirudin, calin, inhibitors of kallikrein, hayaluronidase, histamine-like vasodilators, collagenase, and poorly characterized anaesthetic and analgesic compounds.[19,14] Hirudin is responsible for inhibiting blood coagulation and is employed as an anticoagulant in surgical operations and has been recommended for the prevention of phlebitis and postoperative pulmonary inflammation. Calin also inhibits blood coagulation but it is responsible for slow cleansing of wound by maintaining secondary bleeding for approximately another 12 hours. Histamine-like substances have dilating effect on the blood vessels and thereby cause the blood to stream to the bite site. In the mean time, the spreading factor, hayaluronidase acts to clear the path for the active and healing substances to penetrate. These substances allow continued bleeding for up to 24 hrs after the leech has been detached. Besides, a regional analgesic and antiphlogistic effect by these substances enforced by hayaluronidase as well as counter irritation might be possible. Furthermore, some of these substances have anti-inflammatory and other additional effects like lipotropic activity that can be used at atherosclerotic defects of vessels in ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus. The existence of skin visceral connections with the definite organ is well known. Through veins, the biologically active substances act on organ during sucking by leech. It promotes the improvement of blood circulation in the organ, renders thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory and immuno-stimulant action.Leech therapy reduces pain, stiffness, and joint dysfunction in people with osteoarthritis of the knee as reported by a new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine. INDICATIONS Leeches were thought to be able to cure everything from head ache to hemorrhoids. Ancient physician used to treat chronic skin diseases, eye diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, gynaecological disorders, ENT disorders, thromboembolic diseases, local congestive condition, as well as brain congestion and mental illness. The commonest indications of Leech therapy as mentioned in Unani classics are Jarabul Ajfaan (Blephritis), Dawali (varicose vein), Darde pindali (Painful Calf muscle), Malankhoonia (Mania), Qooruhe khabisa (septic wound, non-healing ulcer), Warm (inflammation) of organs, Khanaazeer (Lymphadenitis) , Warme Tajaweful Anaf (sinusitis), Warme halq (Pharyngitis), Bawaseer (Piles), Nawaseer (Fistula in ano), Daaul feel (Elephantiasis), at the biting site of poisonous animals, skin disorders like Qooba (Ringworm) , Saafa (Tinea corporis), Namash (Chloasma), kalaf (Warts), Narfarsi (eczema), Daul sadaf (psoriasis), Bars (Vitiligo), Wajaul Mufasil (Osteoarthritis), hypertension etc. Nowadays use of leeches in thromboembolic diseases (coronary artery thrombosis and Ischemic heart diseases), plastic surgery, replantation and other reconstructive surgeries is very famous all over world. CONTRAINDICATIONS Leech therapy is contra indicated in the treatment of certain medical conditions and diseases. These include hemorrhagic diseases, absolute hemophilia, pregnancies, severe anemia, hypotension, general fatigue, allergy to leech, active tuberculosis, mental disorders during acute episode, high temperature, immuno compromised patients, severely ill & bed ridden and in case of extremely fearful patients. According to some Unani physicians, certain sites of the body are also contra indicated for the leech application such as abdomen especially around the liver, spleen, stomach, intestine and buttock. In tropical areas, leech therapy has been prohibited as the site of leech may become infected. ADVERSE EFFECTS In spite of all the precautions taken, there is a risk of certain adverse effects and subsequent complications such as pain during treatment, local itching, hypotension, vasovagal attacks, anemia, super infections, allergies, sepsis, transmissions of infectious diseases, scarring and slight fever. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS In recent past years, various clinical as well as experimental studies have been conducted globally to evaluate the efficacy of leech therapy in various ailments using standardized outcome measures. The leeching has proved very beneficial in microsurgeries and different types of arthritis.[29] In a study conducted in Germany, the effectiveness of leech therapy in osteoarthritis of knee was established. The patients (n = 51) received a single sting of leeches (4 to 6 in number). The primary end point pain at 7th day was reduced from 53.5±13.7 to 19.3±12.2 in leeching group compared to the control group where the pain was reduced from 51.5±16.8 to 42.4±19.7 with topical diclofenac application. In another study, the hirudin was tested for thrombin inhibition in synovial inflammation in Antigen Induced Arthritis (AIA). The study was conducted on animal models where experiments showed hirudin did indeed significantly attenuate the severity of AIA as measured by both 99mTC uptake and synovial histology. The intra-articular fibrin staining was reduced by hirudin treatment. There was a clear reduction seen in synovial inflammation by hirudin. The hirudin as a potential therapeutic agent for arthritis has also been advocated by K Scott, Professor in University of Auckland, New Zealand and synovial stimulatory protein (SSP) acting as auto-antigen, to which T-Lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis respond, identified in synovial fluid has been found to bind to a hirudin-agarose affinity chromatography matrix. In India also, various studies have been conducted to prove the safety and efficacy of leech therapy in musculoskeletal and dermatological disorders on the basis of scientific parameters. A study from Kashmir valley, India has established the safety and efficacy of leech therapy in the management of frostbite. Another study from Bangalore India, has proved the safety and efficacy of leech therapy in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, 30 diagnosed patients of knee OA were subjected to leech therapy and the efficacy assessment was done weekly with the help of Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) OA Scale and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Score. After the completion of treatment of one month, these scores were reduced significantly (p<0.05), thereby proving the efficacy of leech therapy in OA. Similarly one more study from India has proved the significant effect of leech therapy in the treatment of varicose ulcers. CONCLUSION It can be concluded that leech therapy has unique features that are easily recognized. It can be used effectively for the management of various disorders specially skin and musculoskeletal disorders where western medical treatment is of less value. It may be used for the restoration of normal heath through its prophylactic and palliative action. It may produce better results either singly or as an adjuvant with drug therapy in diseases like hypertension, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, arthritis, varicose veins, frostbite, skin diseases like dermatophytosis, psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo and in various surgical and traumatic conditions such as re-attachment of severed extremities, fingers, toes and ears. However authors suggest that it is the need of present era to develop standard operative procedures (SOP'S) and scientific parameters so that the efficacy of leech therapy can be proved in a rational manner

his of itching through out day since 0ne year on n off spot diag

A 35 yrs lady having such spots on low back for past 2 months with severe itching and burning sensation, Applied momentasone oint but to be mild relieved with it.Dx and Rx pls

c/o itching and speading over the trunk since 2 month kindly dx and rx

A male aged 28 years having these lesions and itching since 2months. He is consulting RMP and trying Corticosteroid mixed ointment with no improvement yet. Spot diagnosis and management.