Etiology based management of Loota Visha - A Case Report

Abstract

Spiders are the Anthropoids and there are more than 40000 species. In India 600 different spiders are found. Spider bites are common in some parts of the world. In India it is uncommon and fatalities are rare. They are invariably poisonous but majority of species do not pose risk of death. Spider venom is of two types neurotoxic and cytotoxic. Black widow or hour glass spider (cytotoxic) and violin spider or brown recluse (cytotoxic) produces severe toxicity, and act on the myoneural junction or peripheral nerve endings causing ascending motor paralysis or damage to peripheral nerve endings. Death may occur because of infection rather than venom. In Ayurveda Visha mainly classified as Sthavar and Jangam. Sthavar includes plant origin whereas Jangam includes animal origin like snake, spider, scorpion and insects etc. The detailed explanation of Loota Visha origin, symptoms, mode of poisoning and treatment is available in our classical texts. A female patient approached our OPD with complaints of Vesicular lesions on the forehead extending to the right side of temporal region and right eye with oozing since 3 days and she was treated with principles of Agadatantra which includes Vishagna, Kusthagna, Rakshogna etc. The symptoms were reduced completely within short period of time.