IgA Pemphigus

Introduction

IgA pemphigus is an autoimmune disorder characterized by blisters which are painful. There is a pruritic vesiculopustular eruptions in this condition caused due to antibodies produced against the surface of keratinocyte cells. This disease is usually associated with several chronic conditions or malignancies. The exact etiology of the disease is not clear. It is of two types, one is subcorneal pustular dermatosis and intraepidermal neutrophilic dermatosis. However modern medicine does not have any specific or highly effective treatment for it but Ayurveda does offer a helping hand in this case by providing a permanent relief and management of the severe symptoms. IgA pemphigus is also known as intercellular IgA dermatosis.

The occurrence of this disorder is very rare affecting usually the people of middle age. However, IgA pemphigus can affect person of any age as seen in the reported case of a child of 1 month old. It is a rare blistering autoimmune disorder about which, not much is known like cause, race and age distribution. No specific distribution of gender is seen in this disorder.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of IgA Pemphigus?

• Blisters
• Erythema
• Pustule
• Erosion
• Vegetating Lesion

Usually, the first sign seen is pustules and flaccid vesicles. These eruptions burst or rupture which leads to the formation of eroded and crusted plaques. An annular pattern is followed by these eruptions. In IgA, pemphigus, eruptions are usually seen on upper and lower extremities, trunk, groin and axillae. Involvement of mucosa is infrequent. These plaques are described as very painful by the patient. Axilla and groin is the most common areas which get affected by these pustular eruptions. Even the whole body can be affected by these eruptions. Absence of mucosal involvement is the key feature which differentiates this disorder from other similar diseases. Along with pain, patient may also have malaise, fever, weight loss and headache.

What can be the Causes of IgA Pemphigus?

As already discussed its exact etiology remains unknown but there can be a certain factor which may result in this disorder.

• Specific cells that are responsible for adhesion between the cells are bind to IgA autoantibodies.
• Glycoprotein which maintains the shape of the cells, is also destroyed by these autoantibodies.

What are the Types of IgA Pemphigus?

There are mainly two types of this disorder :-

1. Subcorneal Pustular Dermatosis – It is also known as Sneddon-Wilkinson (on the name of a British dermatologist who described it) disease or pustulosis subcorneal. This is a rare, recurrent, chronic, pustular eruption. It affects the corneum layer of the skin giving a rise to painful pustules. There are abundant neutrophils present in corneum in this condition.
2. Intraepidermal Neutrophilic IgA Dermatosis – There is the formation of intraepidermal bullae with many amounts of neutrophils, some acantholysis and eosinophils.

How can IgA Pemphigus be Diagnosed?

It can be diagnosed by skin biopsy, certain blood tests to detect circulating antibodies (Desmogleins) and physically typical appearance of the eruptions can help in diagnosis.

How can IgA Pemphigus be Treated?

Conventional treatment includes steroids and topical applications due to the inflammatory nature of the disease. However, these can be really harmful to the body in long term as this is just a palliative treatment not the curative. So the patient is asked to use these medicines for the whole life.

But Ayurveda, the science of life offers a natural treatment for this condition as well. As per Ayurveda this disease is result of vitiation of all the three doshas, i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha. Low digestive fire is also a reason behind all the autoimmune diseases which results in the formation of ama. This ama is targeted by the body’s immune system as a foreign material and while removing it, healthy cells of the body also gets damaged resulting in IgA pemphigus.

Herbal Remedies for IgA Pemphigus

Planet Ayurveda, a renowned Ayurvedic center offers effective ayurvedic treatment for IgA pemphigus. All the remedies described below do not contain any types of chemical, preservative, dye, additive or filler. Authentic herbs of the best quality are used in these remedies. These herbal medicines are purely vegetarian and not tested on animals.

1. Radiant Skin, Hair and Nail Formula

These herbal capsules are prepared from a combination of herbs which have specific therapeutic effects on the skin. These capsules contain herbs like Manjistha, Chirayta, Pit papda and Ghritkumari. It helps in the repair of damaged cells and regrowth of new healthy cells. Healthy, smooth and naturally glowing skin can be achieved from the consumption of these capsules. Radiant skin hair nail formula capsules help in treating skin diseases naturally.

Dosage- Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water.

2. Gandhak Rasayan

These are the herbal tablets, made from Shuddha Gandhak, i.e. purified sulphur. It helps in detoxifying the blood by removing the accumulated toxins in it, naturally. Gandhak Rasayan also helps in improving digestion and treating all types of diseases of the skin. These herbal tablets possess various medicinal properties like antifungal, antibacterial, anti-tumor, anti-diuretic and anti-inflammatory.

Dosage- Take 2 tablets twice daily after meals with plain water.

3. Navkarshik Churna

It is a herbal blend of various herbs like Amla (Emblicaofficinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bahera (Terminalia bellerica), Neem (Azadirachtaindica), Vacha (Acoruscalamus) etc. All these herbs work synergistically to clear the impurities from the blood and detoxify it. Navkarshik Churna helps to improve immunity owing to its immunomodulating action.

Dosage- Take 1 teaspoon twice daily after meals with plain water.

4. Nirgundi Oil

This herbal oil is obtained from the leaves of Vitex negundo (nirgundi). As the pustules in IgA pemphigus are very painful and troubling this medicinal oil will help to relieve the pain and heal them gradually. Nirgundi oil possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which relieve inflammation and quickens the healing. As it is a pure herbal oil hence can be used for the long term without causing any side effects.

Direction- Apply locally.

Ancient Verse

Meaning – Nirgundi treats all the diseases and protects the body from them.

Reference – Bhavprakash Nighantu, Guduchiyadi Varga, Shloka no. 114