Psoriasis: Symptoms, Causes and Natural Remedies
Before discussing the treatments and natural remedies (if any) for psoriasis, it's essential to discuss what causes psoriasis in order to give you a better idea about this dermatological condition.
Before we go further, it's important to emphasize that psoriasis is a chronic and multifactorial disease.
A lot of things can contribute to its occurrence, including both genetic and environmental factors.
And once you have the disease, expect to have it for a very long time.
Psoriasis: Types, Symptoms and Causes Psoriasis is defined as keratinocyte (keratin cells) hyperproliferation.
This causes an increased epidermal cell turnover rate, accounting for the symptoms you see in psoriasis.
It starts out as reddish and scaly lesions, either flat, raised or both.
It then progresses to more visible silvery plaques, surrounded by an area of reddish skin.
It can start as a reddish lesion in one area, progressing to other areas of the body.
In some cases (particularly in guttate psoriasis), the lesions can be itchy as well.
In around 10-30%, joint pain occurs even without visible skin lesions.
Psoriasis is not contagious, so don't worry about missing out on work because of this.
Common areas of manifestation include the scalp, extensor areas, genitals, and the lower back area.
Although plaque psoriasis (previously mentioned) is the most common type, there are other types as well.
Guttate psoriasis are more pinkish in appearance and usually manifests with or after an upper respiratory tract infection.
Pustular psoriasis, as the term suggests, involves pustules appearing on the palms and soles.
Psoriasis may also affect the eyes, but more often than not the skin is affected first.
It can give rise to conjunctivitis and blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), which is more common of the two.
Psoriasis: Workup, Treatment and Natural Remedies The diagnosis of psoriasis is made based on a clinical impression, so if you manifest with the symptoms mentioned above, it would be wise to consult your doctor.
Simple cleaning and bandaging can be enough to alleviate the lesions, especially since restoring the barrier function of the skin is vital.
Tar preparations, especially when combined with topical steroids, have proven to be very effective as well.
Solar and UV radiation can also be used in the form of PUVA therapy.
However, treatment can start even in your own home.
As mentioned, solar radiation is effective for psoriasis.
Daily exposure to the sun (not too long!) can be very helpful, as well as frequent application of moisturizers and petroleum jelly.
Once you step out of the shower, pat yourself dry and apply the moisturizer; dry skin can cause itching, which in turn may precipitate the progression of psoriasis.
Bathing also helps, but keep in mind that too much can be bad.
Opt for lukewarm instead of hot water.
Pat yourself dry instead of toweling off, and add in some bath salts or oil to your bathwater.
There have been studies that show psoriasis patients with high levels of arachidonic acid, common in processed food and vegetable oil.
Given this, supplementation with fish oil has been effective for some patients.
Two or three grams per day will do.
Toxicity also plays a role in some patients, emphasizing the need for a detoxifying diet.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and with less processed food should be encouraged.
Milk thistle has also been shown to reduce cell hyperproliferation, the underlying problem in psoriasis.
Before we go further, it's important to emphasize that psoriasis is a chronic and multifactorial disease.
A lot of things can contribute to its occurrence, including both genetic and environmental factors.
And once you have the disease, expect to have it for a very long time.
Psoriasis: Types, Symptoms and Causes Psoriasis is defined as keratinocyte (keratin cells) hyperproliferation.
This causes an increased epidermal cell turnover rate, accounting for the symptoms you see in psoriasis.
It starts out as reddish and scaly lesions, either flat, raised or both.
It then progresses to more visible silvery plaques, surrounded by an area of reddish skin.
It can start as a reddish lesion in one area, progressing to other areas of the body.
In some cases (particularly in guttate psoriasis), the lesions can be itchy as well.
In around 10-30%, joint pain occurs even without visible skin lesions.
Psoriasis is not contagious, so don't worry about missing out on work because of this.
Common areas of manifestation include the scalp, extensor areas, genitals, and the lower back area.
Although plaque psoriasis (previously mentioned) is the most common type, there are other types as well.
Guttate psoriasis are more pinkish in appearance and usually manifests with or after an upper respiratory tract infection.
Pustular psoriasis, as the term suggests, involves pustules appearing on the palms and soles.
Psoriasis may also affect the eyes, but more often than not the skin is affected first.
It can give rise to conjunctivitis and blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), which is more common of the two.
Psoriasis: Workup, Treatment and Natural Remedies The diagnosis of psoriasis is made based on a clinical impression, so if you manifest with the symptoms mentioned above, it would be wise to consult your doctor.
Simple cleaning and bandaging can be enough to alleviate the lesions, especially since restoring the barrier function of the skin is vital.
Tar preparations, especially when combined with topical steroids, have proven to be very effective as well.
Solar and UV radiation can also be used in the form of PUVA therapy.
However, treatment can start even in your own home.
As mentioned, solar radiation is effective for psoriasis.
Daily exposure to the sun (not too long!) can be very helpful, as well as frequent application of moisturizers and petroleum jelly.
Once you step out of the shower, pat yourself dry and apply the moisturizer; dry skin can cause itching, which in turn may precipitate the progression of psoriasis.
Bathing also helps, but keep in mind that too much can be bad.
Opt for lukewarm instead of hot water.
Pat yourself dry instead of toweling off, and add in some bath salts or oil to your bathwater.
There have been studies that show psoriasis patients with high levels of arachidonic acid, common in processed food and vegetable oil.
Given this, supplementation with fish oil has been effective for some patients.
Two or three grams per day will do.
Toxicity also plays a role in some patients, emphasizing the need for a detoxifying diet.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and with less processed food should be encouraged.
Milk thistle has also been shown to reduce cell hyperproliferation, the underlying problem in psoriasis.