Skin Disorders [Siddha Terminology: Kuttam]

Skin is the largest organ. It covers and protects the body from harmful microbes. heat, cold and pain sensations are felt in the skin and it regulates the body temperature. Anything that irritates, inflames the skin can cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, burning, and itching. Allergies, irritants,certain diseases and immune system or the genetic make up problems causes rashes, hives, and other skin conditions. Many skin problems, such as acne ,psoriasis affect your appearance and they can be temporary or permanent, and may be painless or painful. mild pigmentary changes in the skin to the presence of large or small fluid filled blisters in the skin are covered in the spectrum of skin diseases.

In siddha medicine there are 18 types of kuttam or skin diseases with varied manifestations of symptoms. The three dosham and the seven udal thathukkal (body constituents) are affected in kuttam. Siddhars Thirumoolar and Yugi have classified the kuttam based on the dosham involved. intake of not well cooked foods, intake of spoilt fishes, crabs, and hereditary transmission are known to be the causes of kuttam.