www.wjpr.net Vol 9, Issue 9, 2020. Antony. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 546 AHIPUTANA VIS-À-VIS DIAPER DERMATITIS: A REVIEW *Dr. Chris Antony Research Officer (Ayu.), Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences. ABSTRACT Diaper dermatitis or napkin rashes is a ubiquitous problem in the pediatric OPD. The condition is referred to as Ahiputana, Gudakuttaka, Mathrukadosha, Prishtaru and Anamaka in Ayurvedic classics. It is caused by improper care of infants and children requiring diapering and is also said to be caused by stanyadushti (vitiated breast milk). The disease is characterised by erythema, papules, pustules, ulcer, erosions, etc in the anal region. The condition has close resemblance with diaper dermatitis which encompasses irritant contact diaper dermatitis, candidial diaper dermatitis, perianal infectious dermatitis, etc and is comorbid with atisara-grahani rogas, putana graha, ksheeralasaka, charmadala, etc. The treatment involves avoidance of causes, stanyasodhana (purification of breast milk), applications like tarkshyasaila, decoctions for cleansing, powders for dusting, etc. as per the condition of the rash and doshas involved. A deeper knowledge of ahiputana and diaper dermatitis will definitely pave way for development of better management guidelines which can give considerable relief to the infants and their caregivers. Hence a thorough review of ahiputana and diaper dermatitis was done and presented in this article. KEYWORDS: Gudakuttaka, stanyadushti, ksheeralasaka, charmadala, diaper-dermatitis, tarksyasaila. INTRODUCTION Diaper dermatitis or napkin rashes is a ubiquitous problem in the pediatric OPD. The references of diaper dermatitis in Ayurveda can be seen in Susruta samhita as Ahiputana kshudraroga [1] and in Ashtanga Hridaya by a variety of names like Gudakuttaka, Mathrukadosha, Ahipoothana, Prishtaru and Anamaka which describe the different traits of the disease. [2] A deeper knowledge of ahiputana and diaper dermatitis will definitely pave way for development of better management guidelines which can give considerable relief to World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research SJIF Impact Factor 8.084 Volume 9, Issue 9, 546-568. Review Article ISSN 2277– 7105 Article Received on 27 June 2020, Revised on 17 July 2020, Accepted on 06 August 2020, DOI: 10.20959/wjpr20209-18404 *Corresponding Author Dr. Chris Antony Research Officer (Ayu.), Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences.