Psoriasis is a long lasting disease characterized by patches of scaly, itchy and red skin. It can be restricted to a small areas or can even spread to the whole of your body. When the underlying infection reaches the surface of your skin, the healthy cells die. This causes red and itchy plaque covered with white scales. It mostly occurs on the elbows, knees and scalp. Sometimes these scales itch and also bleed. In severe cases the red skin grows and merges with another patch.

Conditions of psoriasis:
1. Finger nails get discolored and pitting is noticed. The nails begin to crumble and in severe cases detach from the nail bed.
2. Scales and crust start to develop on the scalp.

Types of psoriasis:
1. Guttate psoriasis- It is characterized by small red spots which occur on the torso and limbs. It usually starts in young childhood or adulthood. It triggers respiratory infection, tonsillitis and strep throat.
2. Inverse psoriasis- In this condition bright red and shiny abrasion occurs in the groin area, in the armpits and under your breasts.
3. Erythrodermic psoriasis- It is characterized by periodic redness of the skin and shedding of the skin. It also causes severe sunburn and infection.

Cause of psoriasis:
Many factors can cause psoriasis. Factors such as, trauma, infection or emotional stress can trigger this condition. Some abnormalities in the system also cause psoriasis. People who have a flare up of psoriasis are usually affected by emotional stress or some trauma like the death of a loved one or loss of a new job. These tensions may intensify because of problems in your internal system.

Ayurvedic treatments for psoriasis:
1. Consuming medicated ghee.
2. Herbal medicines or herbal concoctions can also be consumed.
3. Basthies are medical and herbal enemas which should be taken for 8days.
4. You should avoid having meat and only consume vegetarian dishes to reduce psoriasis. Also avoid yogurt, black gram, salty food products and chilies.
5. You can also remove impurities from your body by means of vomiting and purging.
6. You can also cure psoriasis by covering your entire body in a paste of mud.
7. Consume turmeric and Neem daily to treat psoriasis.

Some medicine like arogya vardhini vati, kutaki, ras manikya, Giloy ghan vati must be taken after consulting an Ayurvedic expert.

7 Best Ayurvedic Medicine for Psoriasis Treatment

5 things that worsen your psoriasis

Psoriasis is one of the most chronic and long lasting diseases relating to the skin. Under this condition, the infected skin cells multiply 10 times faster than the normal rate. During this disease, the normal skin tends to get covered by a layer of dead skin cells, not allowing the skin to breathe. The top five things that can worsen your psoriasis are listed below.

Alcohol

There is a direct link between your drinking habits and your skin health. Drinking, in general, tends to cause harm to the overall body. Skin being no exception also gets affected adversely by alcohol consumption. If you have psoriasis, then you should immediately consult your dermatologist so that he/she can assign you a daily limit for your alcohol consumption in a manner that it does not worsen the condition of your skin.

Infections

Psoriasis also gets worsened by common infections like an earache, bronchitis, strep throat infection, and such others. It is highly recommended for you to consult your doctor if you have anybody infections along with psoriasis. So the doctor will be able to tell you the risk of the infection and how to go about managing it.

Stress

Stress has been known generally to affect the skin in an adverse manner. Stress can cause your body to have a greater incidence of inflammation on your skin which further affects your skin disease. Your doctor can help you out with the ways to manage your stress so that it does not cause any further damage to your skin.

Weather changes

Medical researchers have proved that psoriasis tends to grow in colder and drier conditions. It has reportedly been observed that people having psoriasis have smoother skin during summers than during winters.

Cuts and bruises

If there are any kinds of breakouts or irregularities in your skin, then it would further worsen your psoriasis. Your cut skin may lead to a flare which is known as the Koebner phenomenon in medical terminology.



5 Things That Worsen Your Psoriasis

Psoriasis can be defined as a skin condition, which is caused due to autoimmune disorders within the body. This is a condition where the skin on the body develops raised and dry areas which are reddish in colour while also being bordered by silvery scales. 

Treatment of psoriasis in ayurveda
Ayurveda has a different slant to conventional medicine with regards to the treatment of psoriasis. According to ayurveda, it is the impurities in the blood, which cause the immune system to react adversely and cause this condition. Ayurveda concentrates on treating the underlying problems through the combination of changes in diet, home remedies and certain medications to treat this disorder. Some of them are mentioned below:

Changes in diet which will help purify the symptoms: 
Some advice that is usually given to patients to clean up their diet and include certain other items are as follows:
1. Avoid spicy food and try to eat food, which can be easily broken down within the digestive system
2. Inclusion of more fruits and fruit juices in your diet
3. Also include vegetables and also have a mix of boiled vegetables daily.
4. It is better to avoid animal products such as animal fats, eggs, canned and processed foods from your diet.
5. Regular consumption of butter milk and curd are known to be very good in blood purification and thus should be consumed in large quantities. 

Some ayurvedic tips and ingredients, which can help treat psoriasis: 
Other tips that can be implemented as skin applications to treat psoriasis are as follows: 
1. Use avocado oil to rub on the affected areas as it is known to be an effective treatment when applied long term.
2. Ensure that the skin is always moisturized by applying a soft, cream or gel.
3. Periodic baths in sea water if possible is also good for lessening the symptoms of psoriasis.
4. Aloe vera cream applied specifically on the patches is known to also lessen them overtime.

Few other tips to follow
1. Get into deep breathing and meditation to ensure that your body and mind are relaxed as this is very important during the healing process
2. Expose the affected areas of your skin to mild sunlight for about half an hour daily as it is known to improve symptoms. 


Ayurveda and Psoriasis

Unani is an ancient medical practice of the Middle East that people sometimes use to try to help alleviate conditions of psoriasis. It involves incorporating a special diet, use of herbal compounds and other additional supportive medical practices.

What is Psoriasis?
It is a common immune-mediated skin disease that is characterized by chronic and inflammatory scaly deposits on the skin called plaques. The dry flakes and skin scale deposits occur due to rapid build-up of skin cells. It has a substantial impact on the quality of life with reported impairment in physical and mental functioning.

Causes and symptoms of psoriasis
Heredity is a crucial factor when it comes to psoriasis. There is no definite cause of this skin condition, but consuming opposite foods, trauma on the skin like bruises, cuts, skin irritants, excessive smoking/drinking and mental stress can be some reasons causing it.

Here are some common symptoms of psoriasis:
  Silvery scales on skin
  Itchy and burning skin
  Pus-filled skin bumps
  Dry skin patches and skin redness
  Blisters
  Bleeding patches in skin
  Restricted joint motion
  Inflammation and pain in skin

The Unani view
There are several topical drugs, phototherapy and systemic medications available for psoriasis. However, according to studies, almost 50% of the patients were dissatisfied with their treatment. In the absence of satisfactory cure in modern medicine, the traditional system of Unani medicine is highly beneficial in treating Psoriasis. According to the Unani view, psoriasis occurs due to burnt melancholic humour that has an irritant nature. As a result, it destroys the skin and produces intense itching, roughness and scaling. The unique formulations of Unani aims to eradicate the skin disorder.

How can Unani help treat psoriasis?
Under the banner of the Unani system of medicine, physicians emphasize to apply emollient over the affected part in the form of ointment (Margham) or oil (Rogham). In addition to this, they also advise avoiding sweet or sour items in the diet. Herbal formulations and natural ingredients are used in these topical applications. When applied to the skin lesions over a prescribed course of time, it eases the skin and gets rid of psoriasis.

Risk and safety considerations
There are several studies undertaken to prove the effectiveness of Unani medications to treat Psoriasis, most of which are positive. The Unani medicines have not shown much side effects and can be taken for a prolonged period of time to yield positive results.

Unani medicine has been proven to have a positive effect on the PASI score of the patients, which assesses the severity of psoriasis. A proper diagnosis at an early stage followed by the appropriate treatment under Unani medicine yields remarkable results.

Effective Unani Medicine for Psoriasis Treatment 

Psoriasis is a common autoimmune disorder of the skin that results in the formation of thickened and elevated plaques of cells that remain covered by scales (loose, whitish-silver scales). In psoriasis, the skin cells multiply at an alarming rate resulting in the scaling of the skin. Though non-contagious, psoriasis can be itchy and often painful. Psoriasis mainly affects the scalp, elbow, and knees. In some, the condition may also affect the palms, feet (soles of the feet), and the torso.

As per a survey, psoriasis is known to affect approximately 2.2% of the total adult population. Psoriasis can also affect children (children under the age group of 5-8 years are mostly affected by this inflammatory skin disorder).

Psoriasis Can of Different Types

Plaque Psoriasis: As the name suggests, this type of psoriasis results in the formation of plaques of cells (thickened and elevated) on the skin surface. One of the most common types of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis affects the scalp, knees, and elbow.
Pustular Psoriasis: Pustular psoriasis mainly affects the hands and the feet of the adults whereby white blisters (pus-filled) appear on the affected area of the skin. The skin also appears red and inflamed.
Guttate Psoriasis: This type of psoriasis usually affects the legs, torso, and arms. Common in children (sometimes young adults), Guttate psoriasis results in the formation of small red spots.
Inverse Psoriasis: In Inverse psoriasis, shiny red (bright red) inflammations or lesions appear on the armpits, groyne, breasts.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis: Though rare, this type of psoriasis is marked by extreme redness of the skin. There is also shedding of the scales (in the form of sheets). The skin more or less appears sun burnt.
Symptoms:
The symptoms associated with psoriasis include

Elevated and inflamed red patches covered by whitish- silver scales (plaques).
The nails appear thick and pitted.
There is a pain in the joints followed by swelling.
At times, the affected skin may crack resulting in bleeding.
Soreness, itching and a burning sensation around the red patches.
In psoriasis of the scalp,

There may be the formation of scales (usually mild).
In severe cases, there may be crusting (the full scalp) which can spread to the forehead, ears (inside and behind), in the beard or even around the nose.
Treatment:
Though there is no definite treatment for psoriasis of the body and the scalp, the following medications may prove to be helpful

Medications like Methotrexate and Cyclosporine (immunosuppressant drugs), Retinoids, and Biologics (injected intravenously) may provide some relief.
Patients may also benefit from light therapy, anthralin, topical corticosteroids as well as vitamin D analogs.
Precaution and care
For psoriasis of the scalp

Before the treatment, it is important to remove (and soften) the scales. Medicated shampoos that contain salicylic acid can be used to remove the scales.
Use of petroleum jelly or medicated oils and ointments (as recommended by the doctor) can be helpful.
For better results, you can keep the scalp covered (preferably with a shower cap) after applying the ointment.
For Psoriasis of the Body

Avoid the skin from getting dry. You can use a medicated lotion or a moisturizer.
Drinking and smoking can worsen the situation. Avoid these vices as much as you can.
Avoid using hot water while bathing. To keep your skin moisturised, you can add oil or salt to the water (bathwater).

Psoriasis - Types, Symptoms, and Treatment

Psoriasis is a skin disease, which develops in men and women often during middle age and above. Although tests and researches are being carried out in various laboratories around the world, the exact cause of this condition is yet unknown. Psoriasis is not infectious. In other words, it does not spread by coming in contact with someone suffering from it. In case you see that you are just developing psoriasis or it is in its early stages, then you can opt for some simple and natural methods of curing it. These home remedies fall under Ayurvedic treatments and help you in getting rid of this disease before it spreads further into your body.

Moist skin: Apply lots of moisturizer on your body. This is done to keep the skin moist and supple. The more your skin becomes dry, the chances of it bleeding and causing infections increase. It is often recommended to apply body oil or sesame oil before taking a bath as it softens the skin.
Use natural body soaps: Sometimes the body soaps that you use are made of harsh chemicals. These chemicals come in contact with your body and aggravate the infection furthermore. You can use home made natural soaps, which are made of natural ingredients and are gentle on your skin.
Avoid skin injuries: Skin injuries like a cut, bleeding, blisters etc. can be harmful for psoriasis. They can aggravate the inflammation and cause more damage. In fact, it is recommended that you apply moisturizer and sunscreen every time you step out of the house in order to protect your skin from further damage.
Use medicines after consultation: Certain medicines have the ability to flare up the effects of psoriasis. Thus, when you develop this disease, it is advised that you meet a general physician and discuss your medicines with him/her in order to control the same.
Reduce stress: Stress levels contribute a lot to psoriasis. Thus, you need to relax as much as possible. You can try out yoga and meditation to keep the stress level down and in turn control this disease as well.
Wear cotton clothes: Wear clothes that you are comfortable in and those which do not cause irritation on your skin. Synthetic clothes sometimes cause a lot of irritation and rashes on the skin. It is something that should be avoided.
These are some of the quick and natural remedies to cure yourself of psoriasis as early as possible.

Psoriasis - 6 Ayurvedic Remedies That Can Help!

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