Long Term Efficacy evaluation of Irsal-i-Alaq (Leech Therapy) in Qooba (Dermatophytosis)- A Randomised Standard Controlled Open Clinical Study.

Dermatophytosisrefers tosuperficial fungal infection of keratinized tissues caused by keratinophilicdermatophytes. According to observations worldwide, dermatophytosis isthe most common superficial fungal infections. It is common in tropics and may presentin epidemic proportions in areas with high rates of humidity.

In Unani system of medicine, a disease mentionedwith name of Qooba, is characterized by roughness of thesurface of the skin associated with itching, scaling, dryness, and shedding ofscales like fish.Itmay be black or red in colour, usually periphery is red and occasionally theremay be oozing of yellowish fluid. Allthese conditions develop according to pathogenic substances, as per Unaniphilosophy. Dermatophytosisis given name according to the sites involved Tinea capitis, Tinea corporis,Tinea faciei,Tinea manuum, Tinea pedis, Tinea ungum, Tinea cruris,Tinea incognito. Treatmentof dermatophytosisis often dependent on the clinical setting ideally, mycological confirmation ofthe clinical diagnosis should be gained before systemic antifungal treatment iscommenced. Oraltreatment options for dermatophytosisare Itraconazole,Fluconazole, Terbinafine,and Griseofulvin.

InUnanisystem of medicine there are number of treatments for Qooba,in which Irsal-i-Alaq(Leeching) is one of the best treatment described by the Unaniphysicians. Irsal-i-Alaqis used to evacuate the pathological humour from the body to treat the variousailments. Accordingto Ahmad bin Muhammad TabriIrsal-i-Alaqover affected site will eliminate the disease completely. Inspiredby all these facts, this study was design to evaluate not only the efficacy butlong-term effects of Irsal-i-Alaq inQooba, comparing withstandard antifungal treatment for the same.