Psoriasis is a disorder which is characterized by rapid multiplication of skin cells on the skin s surface. These extra skin cells develop into silvery scales, which are often dry and itchy. It may also lead to formation of painful red patches on the skin. This disorder might produce symptoms, which flare up and reduce periodically. There is no cure for psoriasis; treatments however can make the symptoms manageable. 


Symptoms
The symptoms of psoriasis include red patches on the skin and scaly and dry skin. The red patches might be itchy and one might often experience a burning sensation around the area. The joints in your body may also become stiff and swollen. 


Causes
The exact cause of psoriasis has not been ascertained. The accepted theory is that psoriasis occurs when the immune system attacks the healthy skin cells. There is a type of white blood cell called the  T cell , whose function is to combat harmful virus or bacteria in the body. With Psoriasis or any other autoimmune disorder, these T cells start attacking the healthy (skin) cells. 


Overactive  T Cells  may trigger other responses in the body, thus, leading to excess production of skin cells and white blood cells. The excess cells move to the skin surface and end up causing the red painful patches.


Treatment options to manage psoriasis
Although there s no cure for psoriasis as such, the symptoms can be controlled. The treatment options for psoriasis are:
1. Topical treatments: Topical treatments involve application of creams and lotions. They have been mentioned below:
I. Corticosteroids: Corticosteroid creams or lotions reduce the excess skin cell production, thus, reducing inflammation. They are generally not used as a long term treatment as they cause skin thinning.
II. Vitamin D analogues: A synthetic form of Vitamin D, it helps in slowing down skin cell growth. 
III. Salicylic acid: This treatment is used to reduce scaling on the skin, caused due to psoriasis. It is usually administered along with other medications.


2. Light therapy: Light therapy involves using sunlight or artificial light to reduce inflammation and scaling. It helps in reducing the activity of T cells in the body. 


3. Oral medications
In case of severe symptoms, oral medications are prescribed. Medications such methotrexate helps in reducing the excess production of skin cells. Cyclosporine is a drug that is used to suppress the erroneous immune system response. 

Psoriasis - 3 Easy Ways You Can Get them Treated

An often persistent and long-lasting condition, psoriasis interferes with the life cycle of skin cells and causes them to increase rapidly on the surface of the skin. These generally appear as dry, itchy and red patches of skin having thick, silvery scales.

Psoriasis can be subdivided into the following:

    Plaque psoriasis: The most common form, characterized by dry, red skin lesions covered with silvery scales and can be seen anywhere on the body.
    Scalp psoriasis: These appear on the scalp and may extend beyond the hairline.
    Nail psoriasis: These affect the toenails and fingernails.
    Guttate psoriasis: Characterized by blister-like appearances and are stimulated by bacterial infections.
    Inverse psoriasis: Caused by fungal infections.
    Erythrodermic psoriasis: Can cover the entire body with a reddish rash that may peel.
    Pustular psoriasis: Capable of causing chills, fever and diarrhea.

The usual signs and symptoms of psoriasis include:

    Red, sensitive patches of skin
    A silvery, scaly cover
    Dry and cracked skin that may bleed when scratched or agitated
    Tiny scaling spots (witnessed in children)
    Persistent itching, soreness or burning sensation
    Ridged, thickened or pitted nails
    Stiff and swollen joints

Possible causes of psoriasis may include:

    Skin infections or strep throat infections
    Stress
    Skin injuries, like cuts, bites or sunburns
    Smoking
    Cold weather
    Chronic alcoholism
    Certain medications such as high blood pressure medications

Risk factors

The following factors may further increase the risk of developing the disease:

    Fungal and bacterial infections
    Family history
    Obesity
    Stress
    Smoking

Ayurveda and Psoriasis

Although the root cause of the disease is yet to be identified, according to traditional Ayurveda, the vitiation of Vata and Kapha causes psoriasis. As per ayurvedic principles, Vata and Kapha are the two basic energies that uphold the balance of our body equilibrium. Strong genetic predisposition, sun deprivation, and intense streptococcal infection on the upper respiratory tract can badly aggravate psoriasis. As per ayurveda, these conditions are strong enough to create several visible pathological changes that take place are mainly due to the accumulation of dooshi vishas or low potency poisons.

Uneven and unhealthy food habits, consumption of foodstuffs in the wrong combination (Example: dairy products with fish or chicken), too much intake of yogurt, black gram, seafood, sour or salted food stuffs, etc. can trigger the psoriasis inducing pathogenesis. Other catalysts that cause psoriasis includes stress, alcohol, and tobacco consumption

Psoriasis can be effectively treated through panchakarma therapies, which include ayurvedic treatment methods for the complete detoxification of the body, and successful elimination of harmful toxins from the body fluids.

A few health tips for psoriasis patients:

    Maintain safer distance from the possible variables that cause or aggravate psoriasis
    Practice yoga regularly. Yoga can lessen the intensity of psoriasis.
    Avoid pricking, peeling or scratching your skin.
    Make sure to pat your skin dry after washing, and avoid rubbing vigorously with towel or any rough cloth.
    Avoid artificial cleansers and use gram flour (besan flour) instead.
    Use cotton clothes
    Avoid cold water bath or immediate cleaning up right after heavy work-out, long walks, or travel.
    Avoid food stuffs that can cause indigestion.
    Avoid excessive salty and acidic food stuffs, radish, urad dal, sesame, jaggery (gur), curds, fish and other sour food stuffs that can trigger psoriasis.

Psoriasis - How it Effects Your Skin?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease where the skin cells form a mass of scales. These patches of skin are dry, red and itchy. It is an autoimmune disease which usually occurs on the skin of the back, scalp, palms, knees, elbows and around the fingernails and toenails, but some people have the diseased patches of skin all over the body. The patches may also crack, flake and bleed. The condition has no definite cure but the symptoms can be treated and managed.

Causes of psoriasis

The following factors are proven to have contributed to cases of psoriasis:

1. Genetics
More than 32% of the cases of psoriasis have been linked to genes. In case of identical twins, if one twin has the disease, the other has a 70% chance of getting it too. There are several genes associated with the disease and most of these genes are related to the immune system. T cells (lymphocytes which affect cell specific immunity) can also cause psoriasis.

2. Hiv
Human immuno-deficiency virus adversely affects the immune system and increases susceptibility of all kinds of infections and diseases. Hiv-positive individuals have been found to have an increased risk of psoriasis than hiv-negative people.

3. Other diseases
Diseases like strep throat, chronic infections, skin infections and stress may be responsible for the condition. Other factors like obesity, alcoholism, skin dryness and smoking can also lead to psoriasis.

4. Medication
Anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory and blood pressure medicines can cause psoriasis as a side effect. The disease is also an effect of withdrawal from topical steroid creams and other steroid-based medication.

Symptoms of psoriasis

The symptoms of psoriasis may vary from patient to patient. However, if more than two of the following signs are seen, it is likely that psoriasis is the causative condition:

1. A whitish and silvery mass of scales surrounded by red patches of stinging, itchy skin
2. The appearance of blisters or rashes on the dry scaly skin and also along the nails
3. Bumps on the folded skin like back of the knees, armpits etc.
4. Diseased patches of skin can crack, peel and bleed
5. A sharp and localized pain in the joints accompanied by stiffness
6. Soreness in the throat
7. Tiny depressions in the nails or large brown patches under the nails
8. Swelling and tenderness of the limbs
9. Dental plaque
10. Muscle pain due to the swollen bands of connective tissue


Causes and Symptoms of Psoriasis

When you think of organs of the body, the mind goes to internal organs like the stomach, liver etc. However, the largest organ of the body is the skin. Given its size and the amount it interacts with external stimuli, the skin is susceptible to a number of infections. One of the common issues to affect skin is known as psoriasis. This is typically seen as a rash that can make the skin dry, thick and flaky. It can make the skin feel very itchy and make the person unconsciously scratch his or her skin so hard that it bleeds. Although, even modern medicine does not have a way to cure psoriasis but can manage the symptoms. In contrast, homoeopathy can help treat the factors triggering this infection and hence keep it from recurring.

Homeopathy is a holistic form of medication that treats not only the symptoms exhibited but also the issues triggering the infection. Homeopathic medicines are usually prescribed in the form of sweet pills, powders or liquids. This form of medication has negligible side effects and can be prescribed to children and adults of all ages. If needed, it can be prescribed along with other types of medication as well. However, homeopathy does not follow a one size fits all approach. This means that a remedy that suits one person may not be effective for another. This is because the ideal homeopathic prescription depends on the symptoms being exhibited by the patient, his or her overall physical and mental health, family history, personality etc.

There are a number of homeopathic remedies that may be prescribed to treat psoriasis. Some remedies can treat psoriasis that is passed on genetically from one generation to another while others can treat psoriasis caused by exposure to warm or cold conditions. Homeopathy can be used to treat psoriasis that makes the skin dry as well as psoriasis that leads to oozing lesions. It can also be used to treat chronic cases of psoriasis. In many cases, two or more remedies may be prescribed simultaneously.

When taking homeopathic remedies one must follow the prescribed schedule. Medicines must be taken half an hour before or after meals. When taking two or more homeopathic medicines, they must be spaced at least 5 minutes apart. The ideal time to take the morning dose is as soon as one wakes up. Similarly, the best time to take a night dose is just before going to bed.

Psoriasis And Homeopathy - What All Should You Know?

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease in which the skin cells multiply at a rate higher than the normal. It can even be 1000 times compared to the normal rate. It worsens every winter as the skin becomes itches and even starts bleeding after scratching. However, psoriasis is not contagious meaning that it cannot spread from one person to another. In fact, psoriasis is not an infectious disease. It does not occur due to infection of any sort. That is why it does not spread from one person to another.

Treatment
The general belief is that Psoriasis is incurable. However, this is not true. Homeopathy is far more effective in the treatment of psoriasis and these homeopathic medicines are completely natural and do not contain any chemical compounds at all unlike allopathic medicines. The homeopathic remedies do not intend to suppress this inflammation. In fact, they intend to correct the cause that has resulted in this indiscriminate cell division and also the inflammation. Once these two things are set right, the symptoms disappear on their own.

Homeopathy does require some patience on the part of both the patient and the doctor to get good results in the homeopathic treatment of psoriasis.
Remedies for the homeopathic treatment of psoriasis

Graphites is one of the best homeopathic remedies for psoriasis with constipation. In such cases the patient cannot tolerate cold easily. There may be thick sticky discharge from the eruptions. In some cases, eczema may also be present with psoriasis. In female patients, there may be disturbance in the menstrual cycle too.
Mezereum is helpful in case of psoriasis on the scalp. In such cases thick and leathery crusts cover the head and there is pus beneath these crusts.
Arsenic Iodatum is given in case where patches of psoriasis occur with multiple colours. The scales are usually large in size.
Sepia is recommended for psoriasis with foul odour from the eruptions and the affected area of the skin. It is a deep acting medicine and should not be repeated often.
Thyroidinum is considered one of the best homeopathic medicines for psoriasis with obesity. In such cases the itching gets worsened at night. It is a remedy for chilly and anaemic patients suffering from dry impoverished skin along with cold hands and feet.
Arsenic Album is an excellent psoriasis remedy in which psoriasis gets worsened by cold and better by warmth.
Sulphur is considered helpful in various skin manifestations
Kali Brom is helpful in case of syphilitic psoriasis whose symptoms include skin cold, blue, spotted corrugated, large, indolent, painful pustules.
Kali Ars is given in case of patches on back, arms and elbows and scaly itches.
Radium Brom is helpful in treating psoriasis of penis, itching eruptions on face oozing and patchy erythema on forehead.
Other natural and alternative remedies can also be resorted to including Naturopathy, Herbal medicine, Yoga, Ayurveda, Acupressure etc. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Psoriasis - 10 Homeopathic Remedies For It!

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 

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