KHALITYA AND PALITYA

KHALITYA AND PALITYA

• Khalitya and Palitya are two common scalp and hair disorders explained in Ayurvedic texts.

• These conditions are considered Raktapradoshaja Vikara and Kshudra Rogas in Ayurveda.

• In modern science, Khalitya correlates with Alopecia, particularly Alopecia areata and Androgenic alopecia, whereas Palitya correlates with Premature graying of hair.

• These disorders are increasingly common due to changes in lifestyle, diet, and stress.

DEFINITION

KHALITYA

• Derived from the root word ‘Khala’ meaning empty or barren.

• Refers to the condition of hair fall leading to bald patches or baldness.

• Classical reference:
  “रूक्षा स्थूलानि केशानि लोहितानि सिरेऽन्वितान्।
  शिरसः पतिताञ् ज्ञेयांस्तान् खालित्यमिति ब्रुवे॥”
  — Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya Uttarasthāna 23/18

PALITYA

• Refers to early or premature graying of hair before the appropriate age.

• Classical reference:
  “यदा केशा भवेयुर्गौरास्तदा तद्भवति पालयितुमशक्तत्वात् पालित्यम्।”
  — Suśruta Saṃhitā Uttara Tantra 24/7

ETIOPATHOGENESIS (NIDANA & SAMPRAPTI)

AYURVEDIC VIEW

NIDANA (CAUSATIVE FACTORS)

• Excess intake of Tikta, Katu, Kashaya Rasa

• Ati-Manasika Vyapada: excessive worry, fear, anger

• Atyadhikya of Krodha, Shoka, Chinta

• Viruddha Ahara, Ratri Jagarana, Atapasevana

• Use of chemical hair products (modern equivalents)

SAMPRAPTI

• Vitiation of Pitta (especially Bhrajaka Pitta) and Vata

• Pitta vitiates Rakta, leading to dhatukshaya of Hair Follicles (Kesha mulas)

• In Palitya, Pitta and Rakta are involved in discoloration (Varna Vikriti) of hair.

“पित्तात्तु रुधिरं दूष्य केशान् हिनस्ति मूर्छितान्।”
— Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya Uttarasthāna 23/20

TYPES OF KHALITYA (BASED ON DOSHA)
As per Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya Uttarasthāna 23/19-20

• VATAJA KHALITYA – Dry, rough hair with falling and cracking

• PITTAJA KHALITYA – Yellowish/red scalp, burning sensation

• KAPHAJA KHALITYA – Heaviness, itching, oily scalp

• SANNIPATAJA KHALITYA – Features of all doshas with incurability

MODERN CORRELATION

KHALITYA – ALOPECIA

• Alopecia areata: Autoimmune, patchy hair loss

• Androgenetic alopecia: Genetic, related to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) sensitivity

• Telogen effluvium: Due to stress, systemic illness

• Tinea capitis: Fungal infection causing patchy hair loss

• Trichotillomania: Hair-pulling disorder

Etiology in Modern Pathology

• Genetic predisposition

• Autoimmune reaction

• Hormonal imbalances (testosterone, thyroid dysfunction)

• Nutritional deficiencies: Iron, Zinc, Biotin

• Chemotherapy, stress, and systemic diseases

PALITYA – PREMATURE GRAYING OF HAIR

• Defined as the appearance of gray hair before the age of 20 years in Caucasians, 25 in Asians, and 30 in Africans

• Common causes:

  • Genetic predisposition

  • Nutritional deficiencies – Vit B12, Iron, Copper

  • Oxidative stress

  • Autoimmune conditions – Vitiligo, Pernicious anemia

  • Smoking

  • Thyroid disorders

CLINICAL FEATURES

KHALITYA

• Progressive hair fall from scalp

• Loss of luster and thinning of hair

• Scalp may show dryness or oiliness depending on dosha

• Sometimes itching or burning sensation in scalp

• Psychological distress due to cosmetic concern

PALITYA

• Premature whitening/gray strands of hair

• Initially seen in temporal regions

• May be associated with dryness and thin texture

• No associated pain or inflammation

• Cosmetic concern and low self-esteem

PROGNOSIS (SAADHYA-ASADHYA VICHARA)

• Vata-Pitta dominance and genetic causes are difficult to treat

• Kapha dominance and dietary causes show better prognosis

• Sannipataja Khalitya is considered Asadhya
  “सर्वदोषाभिभूतं तु खालित्यं सन्निपातजम्।
  दृश्यते चाप्यसाध्यं स्यात् बहुकार्ष्ण्यलक्षणम्॥”
  — Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya Uttarasthāna 23/21

INVESTIGATIONS (MODERN)

• CBC, Thyroid profile, Iron profile, Vitamin B12, Serum Ferritin, Zinc and Copper levels

• Scalp biopsy in suspected autoimmune alopecia

• KOH mount for fungal infection

• Hormonal assays in suspected androgenic alopecia

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

• Shodhana Therapy: Virechana, Raktamokshana in Pitta dominance

• Shamana Therapy:

  • Bhringrajadi Taila, Neelibhringadi Taila

  • Takra Dhara, Shirovasti, Nasya

  • Medhya Rasayana like Mandukaparni, Yashtimadhu

• Rasayana Therapy:
  “क्षीरं सर्पिः घृतं मधु त्रिफला भस्म शङ्खकः।
  लवणं नातिसंयुक्तं वर्जयेत् केशरोगिणाम्॥”
  — Bhavaprakasha

Useful Herbs:

• Bhringaraja, Amalaki, Japa, Brahmi, Mandukaparni, Nimba

• Chyavanprasha, Arogya Vardhini, Narasimha Rasayana

MODERN MANAGEMENT

• Topical Minoxidil 2% / 5%

• Finasteride in androgenic alopecia (in males)

• Antifungal agents in tinea capitis

• Steroids in alopecia areata

• Hair transplant or PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy

• Antioxidants, Biotin, Iron, Zinc supplements

• Avoid stress, smoking, and junk food

PREVENTION

• Avoid Ratri jagarana, mental stress, and Viruddha Ahara

• Use Ayurvedic oils for regular scalp massage

• Adopt nutritious diet, rich in protein and micronutrients

• Regular intake of Rasayanas like Amalaki, Chyavanprasha

• Protect scalp from environmental pollutants