SUCCESFUL MANAGEMENT OF PYODERMA GANGRENOSUM (PG) BY ILAJ BI’ L ‘ALAQ (LEECHING)- CASE STUDY

Minhaj Ahmad*

ABSTRACT

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a reactive, non-infectious, inflammatory disease of skin (dermatosis), with unknown aetiology. It is characterized by sudden onset of sterile pustules that develop very fast into very painful ulcerations with undermined edge. It affects approximately 1 person in 100,000 in the population. It can affect people mostly in their 40-50 years of age. Most of the pyoderma gangrenosum patients suffer from immune-mediated diseases. It may be due to a genetic cause as it is in families and siblings.[1,2] Treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum ulcer is a quite challenging task to the physician in modern medicine. It is treated by systemic use of steroids and ciclosporin and topical application of clobetasol, mupirocin and gentamycin after cleaning with Dakin ‘s solution. Ilaj bi’ l ‘Alaq (Leeching/ Hirudotherapy) in Unani system of medicine is well recommend to treat chronic non healing ulcer as mentioned in the Unani literatures of ancient Unani physicians. Keeping the Unani concept in mind, pyoderma gangrenosum ulcer was treated successfully with leech therapy along with oral Unani drugs in 3weeks duration.

Keywords: Diabetic Foot Ulcer, Leech Therapy, Non healing ulcer, Qurooh-e-Aseerat-ul-Indamaal, Ilaj bi’ l ‘Alaq.