A comprehensive review of Taqashshur-al-jild (Psoriasis) in the light of Unani medicine

Abstract

Psoriasis is an auto-immune, chronic inflammatory papulosquamous skin disease characterized by well-defined, sharply demarcated erythematous plaques covered in whitish, silvery scales. It is primarily caused by variations in the normal growth and differentiation of the skin's epidermis. Psoriasis is a global disease. Prevalence varies between nations from 0.1 percent to 11.8 percent Unani physicians have vividly described psoriasis not as a separate disease, actually as part of a group of diseases that share a close clinical resemblance with psoriasis. One such disease as mentioned in classical Unani texts is Baraṣ Aswad, which is characterized by dryness of skin and the development of scales on the skin which shares lot of resemblance with scales of fish. Psoriasis, also known as Qūbā Mutaqashshira, is characterized by rough skin, intense itching, and peeling of large round scales resembling fish scales (Faloos-i-Māhī). Recently, Unani physicians coined the term Taqashshur-al-Jild. The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) Scale, as well as certain specific investigations, are used for the diagnosis and evaluation of the condition.