Psoriasis - psoriasis treatment, cure, picture psoriasis, psoriasis scalp, diet, home remedy

Psoriasis is a common benign, chronic inflammatory skin disease with a genetic basis. Injury or irritation of normal skin tends to induce lesions of psoriasis at the site (Koebner's phenomenon) (see photograph); (see photograph). Psoriasis has several variants—the most common is the plaque type;. Eruptive (guttate) psoriasis consisting of myriad lesions 3–10 mm in diameter occurs occasionally after streptococcal pharyngitis. Grave, occasionally life-threatening forms (generalized pustular and erythrodermic psoriasis) may rarely occur. Plaque type or extensive erythrodermic psoriasis with abrupt onset may accompany HIV infection.

Psoriasis is one of the most stubborn skin diseases. It is a chronic disease characterised by thick, red, silvery, scaled patches of skin. This disease affects equally and usually first appears at the age ranging from 15 to 30 years, although it may appear at any age. It is however, rare in infancy and old age. Psoriasis is not contagious.

Psoriasis is a common skin problem. It is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease characterized by scaling and inflammation. Scaling occurs when cells in the outer layer of skin reproduce faster than normal and pile up on the skin's surface. Possibly a disorder of the immune system. In psoriasis, areas of the skin grow much faster than normal and form red, scaling patches. The scalp, elbows, and knees are the most common sites for psoriasis, however any part of the skin may become involved.

Psoriasis is a chronic recurring skin disorder . The scope of the disease can vary considerably; from mild outbreaks where the person may not even be aware they have psoriasis , to severe cases which can be socially disabling and, in rare instances, life-threatening.

What causes Psoriasis?

The modern medical system has not been able to establish the exact cause of psoriasis. Recent studies have shown that psoriasis involves an abnormality in the mechanism in which the skin grows and replaces itself. This abnormality is related to the metabolism of amino-acids, the protein chemicals which are nature’s basic building blocks for the reproduction of cell tissues.
Heredity also plays a role in the development of psoriasis as it tends to occur in families. About 30 per cent of the patients have a family history of the disease.

The factors that aggravate and precipitate the outbreak of psoriasis are injury to the skin in the form of cuts, burns, minor abrasions, changes in the seasons, physical and emotional stress, infections and use of certain medicines for the treatment of other diseases.

The causes of Psoriasis still not fully understandable. exposure to the cold in temperate humid climates. Psoriasis is most common in fair-skinned people and extremely rare in dark-skinned individuals.

Psoriasis can be influenced by a family history of the condition and/or by environmental triggers such as infections, sunburns, or medications.Psoriasis tends to run in families, indicating that there is a genetic component of the disease.

Environmental factors are thought to trigger psoriasis in people who have a genetic tendency toward the disease.

Other Causes of Psoriasis are-

• family history
• stress
• exposure to cold temperatures
• injury, illness, or infection
• steroids and other medications
• race

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis?

There are often no symptoms, but itching may occur. Although psoriasis may occur anywhere, one should examine the scalp, elbows, knees, palms and soles, and nails. The lesions are red, sharply defined plaques covered with silvery scales. Occasionally, only the flexures (axillae, inguinal areas) are involved. Fine stippling ("pitting") in the nails is highly suggestive of psoriasis. Psoriatics often have a pink or red intergluteal fold. Not all patients have findings in all locations, but the occurrence of a few may help make the diagnosis when other lesions are not typical. Some patients present mainly with hand or foot dermatitis and only minimal findings elsewhere, posing a difficult diagnostic problem. There may be associated arthritis that can resemble the rheumatoid variety but with a negative rheumatoid factor; distal interphalangeal joints are frequently involved, especially if there are nail changes.

Generally, the skin of the person suffering from psoriasis appears red and irritated and may be covered with bright silvery scales. Sometimes there is also a little itching. Areas usually involved are elbows, knees, the skin behind the ears, trunk and scalp. The disease may also affect the underarm and genital areas. The lesions vary in size from minute papules only just visible, to sheets covering large parts of the body. Quite often, they are discs from 1.5 cm. to several centimeters in size. The lesions of psoriasis are always dry and rarely become infected.

Psoriasis occurs in different forms, but usually involves the thickening and reddening of patches of skin. Patches of psoriasis typically occur on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. These patches may have a thick silvery-white scale of dead skin on the top, and may be itchy. Some areas of the body are more likely to be affected by Psoriasis are scalp, face, arms, hands, legs, groin, feet, and places where the skin folds.

Most people with psoriasis have the condition for life. But it tends to comes and go, often for no apparent reason, and the severity of each flare-up can vary. Psoriasis can also cause intense itching and burning. If it covers the whole body psoriasis can cause a more generalised illness.

What are the basic main types of Psoriasis?

There are several forms of psoriasis, each with its own characteristic symptoms, although the same underlying disease causes them all. The main types of Psoriasis are as follows -

1. Guttate Psoriasis - A form of psoriasis characterized by drop-like lesions on the trunk, limbs, and scalp. Symptoms may be triggered by viral respiratory infections or certain bacterial (streptococcal) infections.

2. Erythrodermic psoriasis - A form of psoriasis characterized by widespread reddening and scaling of the skin often accompanied by itching or pain. Symptoms may be precipitated by severe sunburn, use of oral steroids, or a drug-related rash.

3. Pustular psoriasis - Pustular psoriasis usually occurs in adults. It is characterized by blister-like lesions filled with non-infectious pus and surrounded by reddened skin.

4. Palmoplantar psoriasis

5. Psoriatic Arthritis - Joint inflammation that occurs in about 10 percent of people with psoriasis.

6. Plaque Psoriasis - Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris), the most common form of the disease, is characterized by small, red bumps that enlarge, become inflamed, and form scales.

7. Flexural or Inverse Psoriasis - A form of psoriasis characterized by large, dry, smooth, vividly red plaques in the folds of skin.

8. Psoriasis vulgaris - The most common form of psoriasis, characterized by reddened lesions covered by silvery scales.

What are the treatments for Psoriasis?

There are many therapeutic options in psoriasis, to be chosen according to the extent and severity of disease and with a clear understanding of the risks and benefits of therapy. Certain drugs, such as -blockers, antimalarials, and diltiazem may flare or worsen psoriasis. Since psoriasis is a metabolic disease, a cleansing juice fast for about seven days is always desirable in the beginning of the treatment. Carrots, beats, cucumbers and grapes may be used
for juices. Juices of citrus fruits should be avoided. The warm water enema should be used daily to cleanse the bowels during the fast.

After the juice fast, the patient should adopt the diet of
three basic food groups, namely

(i) seeds, nuts and grains,
(ii) vegetables and
(iii) fruits, with
emphasis on raw seeds and nuts, especially seasame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and plenty of organically grown raw vegetables and fruits.
All animal fats, including milk, butter and eggs should be avoided. Refined or processed foods and foods containing hydrogenated fats or white sugar, all condiments, tea and coffee, should
also be avoided. After noticeable improvement, goat’s milk, yogurt and home made cottage cheese may be added to the diet. Juice fasts may be repeated after four weeks on diet.
Vitamin E therapy has been found effective in the treatment of psoriasis. The patient should use this vitamin in therapeutic doses from 200 to 800 I.U. a day. It will help reduce itching and scabs. Lecithin is considered a remarkable remedy for psoriasis. The patient may take six to nine lecithin capsules a day - two or three capsules before or after each meal. In the form of granules, it may be taken four tablespoonfuls daily for two months. It may thereafter be reduced to two tablespoonfuls. Psoriasis is not contagious.

Home psoriasis remedy - best psoriasis remedy

Too frequent baths should be avoided. Soap should not be used. Regular sea water baths and application of sea water externally over the affected parts once a day are beneficial. The hot Epsom salts bath has proved valuable in psoriasis. Three full baths should be taken weekly until the trouble begins to subside. The number of baths thereafter may be reduced to two weekly and finally to one. The affected areas should also be bathed twice in hot water containing Epsom salt. After the bath a little olive oil may be applied. The skin should be kept absolutely clean by daily dry friction or sponge.

In many cases, psoriasis responds well to sunlight. The affected parts should be frequently exposed to the sun. The daily use of a sunlamp or ultra-violet light are also beneficial. Cabbage leaves have been successfully used in the form of compresses in the treatment of psoriasis. The thickest and greenest outer leaves are most effective for use as compresses. They should be thoroughly washed in warm water and dried with a towel. The leaves should be made flat, soft and smooth by rolling them with a rolling pin after removing the thick veins. They should be warmed and then applied smoothly to the affected part in an overlapping manner. A pad of soft wooden cloth should be put over it. The whole compress should then be secured with
an elastic bandage.

The use of mud packs in the treatment of psoriasis has also been found highly beneficial. The packs are made by mixing the clay with a little water and applying to the affected areas. After the clay has dried, it is removed and fresh pack applied. Mud packs are eliminative in their action. They absorb and remove the toxins from the deceased areas. The patient should undertake plenty of regular exercise in fresh air, especially exposing the affected parts, and deep breathing exercises. He should avoid all nervous tension and should have adequate rest.

Differential Diagnosis of psoriasis

The combination of red plaques with silvery scales on elbows and knees, with scaliness in the scalp or nail findings, is diagnostic. Psoriasis lesions are well demarcated and affect extensor surfaces—in contrast to atopic dermatitis, with poorly demarcated plaques in flexural distribution (see photograph). In body folds, scraping and culture for candida and examination of scalp and nails will distinguish psoriasis from intertrigo and candidiasis (see photograph). Dystrophic changes in nails may simulate onychomycosis, but again, the general examination combined with a potassium hydroxide (KOH) or fungal culture will be valuable in diagnosis (see photograph). The cutaneous features of Reiter's syndrome mimic psoriasis.