An Effective Siddha Management for Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra: A Case Report

Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN) is a noncancerous skin growth that is classified as a subtype of seborrhoeic keratoses. DPN is predominantly found in individuals with darker skin tones, namely, those with Fitzpatrick skin types III-VI. This condition primarily affects women of Asian or African American descent. The non-availability of accurate management for this illness presents a challenge to the medical fraternity. Electrodesiccation, laser therapy, and surgery offer expensive solutions. Siddha external medicine provides a solution through appropriate methods. A 70-year-old woman with Fitzpatrick skin type V appeared with many hyperpigmented papules on the malar region that had been present for five years. The dermatological examination revealed the presence of several brown papular lesions, which were particularly pronounced in the malar areas. The dimensions of the lesions typically varied from 1 to 5 mm; however, in the malar area, their size extended up to 1 cm. The Siddha formulation Pachaieruvai was administered externally for five consecutive days. While undergoing treatment, the patient experienced mild pain, burning, slight redness, and swelling in the area where Pachaieruvai was applied. These symptoms persisted for about an hour during and after the procedure but disappeared within 24 hours with the use of coconut oil. The evaluation of treatment response was determined using the recognised quartile grading methodology. During the first-week follow-up appointment after the last treatment, significant improvements were observed in the cheek lesions, particularly in four large lesions.Throughout the treatment, the patient may encounter mild discomfort, a burning sensation, slight redness, and swelling at the administration site of Pachaieruvai. These reactions are positive indicators of disease regression. No adverse symptoms and recurrence were observed during the follow-up. This research specifically examines the Siddha approach to managing DPN. Based on the findings and observations, it can be concluded that Siddha medicine is effective in treating DPN.