Sustainable and Low-Cost Ayurvedic Management of Tinea Corporis: A Case Report

Abstract

Fungal infections are a highly prevalent disease. Tinea Corporis is one among dermatophytosis or ringworm, which is characterized by the presence of single or multiple well-defined erythematous plaques with an annular border and scaling associated with severe itching. Tinea Corporis, in particular, can be correlated with Dadru Kushtha, a condition described under the minor skin disease category known as Kshudra Kushtha. This study aimed to show the sustainable and low-cost efficacy of the common Ayurvedic medicine called Shuddha Tankana Bhasma in the treatment of Tinea Corporis through a detailed case report. In this case study, a 33-year-old male patient diagnosed with Tinea Corporis was treated exclusively with Shuddha Tankana Bhasma, formulated as a topical cream. The treatment regimen was followed precisely twice daily for 45 days. After 45 days of consistent application, the patient experienced complete resolution of the skin lesions and associated symptoms. An experimental study on Shuddha Tankana Bhasma carried out at the Department of Microbiology in Dr. G.C. Negi College of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Palampur and Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, demonstrated 100% inhibition effect against the isolated strain of dermatophyte in vitro study and was found clinically effective in the treatment of onychomycosis. Tankana is easily available and has abundant resources in the form of a natural compound called Sodium Borax, which is very low-priced. This case report highlights the potential of using Shuddha Tankana Bhasma as an effective, low-cost, and sustainable Ayurvedic intervention for managing common dermatophytosis like Tinea Corporis.