baheq-e- siyah and Samakia

Psoriasis is one of the most common dermatologic diseases. It is a chronic non-infectious inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by development of chronic, well defined, scaly, erythematous, plaques on the extensor aspects of the body, especially on the elbows, knees, trunk, back and scalp1,2,3,4. Nail involvement is very frequent and often gives the clues to the diagnosis1,2,3,4,5,6. Psoriasis can be localized or generalized. High variability and unpredictability are the hallmark of this chronic affliction. The estimated prevalence is 1.5% to 3% in general population. It has bimodal peak of incidence, at 16-22 years and 57-60 years. In Unani System of Medicines, Galen was the first person who described a skin disease in the name of psoriasis7,8. But before and after the Galen many Unani physicians described the various names such as Sadafia, daus sadaf, baheq-e- siyah and Samakia9. In classics of Unani literature various references are found such as Sadafia, Da-us- Sadaf, Baheqe siyah, Samkia and qubae mutaqashshar which qualify for the disease of psoriasis1,10. Celsus described impetigines and specified that the second species of impetigo was characterized by red skin covered with scales. This description suggested a type of papulosquamous disease, such as psoriasis. So, keeping the fact in mind want to established the clinical correlation with anaemia in the light of classical Unani literature as well as modern medicine.