Evaluation of efficacy and safety of Polyherbal Unani formulations, Itrīfal Shahtara orally and Marham Kharish Jadeed topically in the management of Nār Fārsī (Eczema)

Eczema  is an inflammatory skin condition clinically characterized by erythema, papules, scaling, vesicles, fissures, hyperkeratosis and symptoms such as itch and pain. Over the span of 2009 – 2019, the highest prevalence of Atopic dermatitis was noted among Swedish children with 34%. In India, point prevalence of Atopic dermatitis is 6.75%  and that in older individuals was 11.4% .

Eczema can affect patient’s quality of life by causing emotional and physical distress, increased anxiety or social avoidance because of a continuous fear of being negatively judged, sleep deprivation, low self-esteem and even disability in more severe cases diminishing their occupational options.

In conventional system of medicine, the main treatment includes emollients and topical steroids  whose prolonged use causes adverse effects like atrophy, striae, rosacea, telangiectasia, rebound dermatitis along with resistance, early ageing and various toxicities or allergies to preservatives in topical creams . Keeping in view the adverse effects and limitations of conventional system of medicine along with an impaired quality of life, there is an imperative need to explore better treatment options. Unani system of Medicine is an ancient, time tested medicine with a rich literature of dermatology in which renowned physicians have elaborately mentioned and successfully treated various skin disorders. In order to treat eczema, ta’adil-e-khilt (normalization of causative humour), mubarridat (coolants), murattibat (humectants) , Musaffi-i-Dam (blood purifiers)  etc. were used by them. So, in order to transform the diversity of knowledge mentioned in the literature into valid evidences and for better documentation, this study has been conceived.