Homeopathic Treatment of Psoriasis

Treatment of Psoriasis

Homeopathic Treatment of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a long-term (chronic) skin problem that causes skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting in thick, white, silvery, or red patches of skin. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. However, psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of stroke, and treating high blood lipid levels may lead to improvement.

Normally, skin cells grow gradually and flake off about every 4 weeks. New skin cells grow to replace the outer layers of the skin as they shed. But in psoriasis, new skin cells move rapidly to the surface of the skin in days rather than weeks. They build up and form thick patches called plaques.

The patches range in size from small to large. They most often appear on the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet, or lower back. Psoriasis is most common in adults. But children and teens can get it too. Psoriasis is a persistent, long-lasting (chronic) disease. You may have periods when your psoriasis symptoms improve or go into remission alternating with times your psoriasis worsens.

Having psoriasis can be embarrassing, and many people, especially teens, avoid swimming and other situations where patches can show. But there are many types of treatment that can help keep psoriasis under control.

Causes of Psoriasis:

The cause of psoriasis isn’t fully known, but it's thought to be related to the immune system and its interaction with the environment in people who have the genetic susceptibility.

• Psoriasis is very common. Anyone can get it, but it most commonly begins between ages 15 and 35.
• You cannot catch psoriasis or spread it to others.
• Psoriasis seems to be passed down through families. Doctors think it may be an autoimmune condition. This occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.
• Usually, skin cells grow deep in the skin and rise to the surface about once a month. When you have psoriasis, this process takes place is too fast. Dead skin cells build up on the skin's surface.

Psoriasis may be worse in people who have a weak immune system. This may be due to:

• AIDS
• Autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis)
• Cancer chemotherapy

Psoriasis triggers:

Psoriasis typically starts or worsens because of a trigger that you may be able to identify and avoid. Factors that may trigger psoriasis include:

• Infections, such as strep throat or thrush
• Injury to the skin, such as a cut or scrape, bug bite, or a severe sunburn
• Stress
• Cold weather
• Smoking
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Certain medications — including lithium, which is prescribed for bipolar disorder; high blood pressure medications such as beta blockers; antimalarial drugs; and iodides

Symptoms of Psoriasis:

Psoriasis signs and symptoms can vary from person to person but may include one or more of the following:

• Red patches of skin covered with silvery scales
• Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children)
• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
• Itching, burning or soreness
• Thickened, pitted or ridged nails
• Swollen and stiff joints
• Psoriasis patches can range from a few spots of dandruff-like scaling to major eruptions that cover large areas. Mild cases of psoriasis may be a nuisance; more-severe cases can be painful, disfiguring and disabling.
• Most types of psoriasis go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a time or even going into complete remission. In most cases, however, the diseases eventually return.

Types of Psoriasis:

• Plaque psoriasis: The most common form, plaque psoriasis causes dry, raised, red skin lesions (plaques) covered with silvery scales. The plaques itch or may be painful and can occur anywhere on your body, including your genitals and the soft tissue inside your mouth. You may have just a few plaques or many, and in severe cases, the skin around your joints may crack and bleed.
• Nail psoriasis: Psoriasis can affect fingernails and toenails, causing pitting, abnormal nail growth and discoloration. Psoriatic nails may become loose and separate from the nail bed (onycholysis). Severe cases may cause the nail to crumble.
• Scalp psoriasis:Psoriasis on the scalp appears as red, itchy areas with silvery-white scales. You may notice flakes of dead skin in your hair or on your shoulders, especially after scratching your scalp.
• Guttatepsoriasis:This primarily affects people younger than 30 and is usually triggered by a bacterial infection such as strep throat. It's marked by small, water-drop-shaped sores on your trunk, arms, legs and scalp. The sores are covered by a fine scale and aren't as thick as typical plaques are. You may have a single outbreak that goes away on its own, or you may have repeated episodes, especially if you have ongoing respiratory infections.
• Inverse psoriasis:Mainly affecting the skin in the armpits, in the groin, under the breasts and around the genitals, inverse psoriasis causes smooth patches of red, inflamed skin. It's more common in overweight people and is worsened by friction and sweating.
• Pustularpsoriasis:This uncommon form of psoriasis can occur in widespread patches (generalized pustular psoriasis) or in smaller areas on your hands, feet or fingertips. It generally develops quickly, with pus-filled blisters appearing just hours after your skin becomes red and tender. The blisters dry within a day or two, but may reappear every few days or weeks. Generalized pustular psoriasis can also cause fever, chills, severe itching and fatigue.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis: The least common type of psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis can cover your entire body with a red, peeling rash that can itch or burn intensely. It may be triggered by severe sunburn, by corticosteroids and other medications, or by another type of psoriasis that's poorly controlled.
• Psoriatic arthritis: In addition to inflamed, scaly skin, psoriatic arthritis causes pitted, discolored nails and the swollen, painful joints that are typical of arthritis. It can also lead to inflammatory eye conditions, such as conjunctivitis. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint. Although the disease usually isn't as crippling as other forms of arthritis, it can cause stiffness and progressive joint damage that in the most serious cases may lead to permanent deformity.

Treatment of Psoriasis: Psoriasis can be treated completely by homeopathic treatment

Homeopathic Treatment of Psoriasis:

Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach.

This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat psoriasis but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility.

Homeopathy contemplates Psoriasis as an immune interceded condition instigated by faulty signals in the body’s immune system. Homeopathy can propose a curative therapy approach for Psoriasis. Homeopathic medicines are natural and safe with no probability of any side effects, and they treat psoriasis without using any local ointments. The medicines work towards impeding the proliferation of skin cells which inevitably alleviates excessive scaling. Homeopathic remedies stimulate the body’s own healing potential by restoring balance of the immune system and countering the genetic predisposition. Homeopathic treatment will control the number and severity of lesions, minimize flare ups, improve your quality of life, maintain long term remission, reduce disability and in most cases bring about a permanent cure.

Role of Hypnotherapy in Psoriasis:

Hypnotherapy can be effective as a treatment for psoriasis. This may be because of the link between Psoriasis and ones immune system and ones immune system and ones frame of mind; a link that is explored in the science of psychoneuroimmunology. Hypnosis might be helpful for treating psoriasis for a variety of reasons. First, emotional stress is generally accepted as playing a role in triggering or worsening psoriasis; by helping the patient relax deeply, hypnosis might help decrease the stress that contributes to the condition. Second, a growing field of study called psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) recognizes the biochemical connections between the mind and the body. Hypnosis might help alter the physiological processes that cause psoriasis, acting first on the mind, which can then influence the physical body.

Phototherapy:

Some people may choose to have phototherapy.

• Phototherapy is a medical treatment in which your skin is carefully exposed to ultraviolet light.
• Phototherapy may be given alone or after you take a drug that makes the skin sensitive to light.
• Phototherapy for psoriasis can be given as ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) light.

Other Treatments:

• Taking a daily bath or shower can help your psoriasis. Try not to scrub too hard because this can irritate the skin and trigger an attack.
• Oatmeal baths may be soothing and may help to loosen scales. You can use over-the-counter oatmeal bath products. Or, you can mix 1 cup of oatmeal into a tub of warm water.
• Keeping your skin clean and moist and avoiding your specific psoriasis triggers may help reduce the number of flare-ups.
• Sunlight may help your symptoms go away. Be careful not to get sunburned.
• Relaxation and anti-stress techniques may be helpful. The link between stress and flares of psoriasis is not well understood, however.

 

Self Care Measures

• Exercise
• Reduce stress
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Eat a balanced diet
• Get enough sleep
• Avoid alcohol and smoking
• Use a moisturizer regularly
• Avoid scratching and do not pick on lesions
• Apply a cold compress for the itch
• Soak in a warm oatmeal bath
• Use Epsom salt and fresh Neem leaves or Neem oil in bathing water to soothe itching
• Always bathe in warm water and not hot water
• Always pat dry your skin, do not rub
• Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun
• Wear cotton clothing, other fabrics may irritate your skin
• Always use a humidifier in the house to add moisture