Many long term sufferers of psoriasis have practically given up going to the doctor about it any longer. They feel they've tried everything possible, and still not experienced much - if any relief. Many are starting to find however, that there are several home remedies which work quite well in reducing or eliminating the symptoms of psoriasis.Home remedies for scalp psoriasis are basically the same as home remedies for psoriasis on other parts of your body too. Keep in mind that some home remedies work better than others, and some will work for one person while not seeming to do much at all for another.Now let's look at some of the popular home remedies other people have used successfully to treat scalp or other forms of psoriasis:1. Fish or Flax Seed Oil - Herbal medicine specialists feel that psoriasis is at least aggravated, if not caused in part by, a lack of essential omega-3 fatty acids in the body. By simply adding a daily supplement of fish or flax seed oil, many people have noticed drastic thinning out of the scaly plaques from psoriasis, and the redness and itching is often reduced too. Some people have had their psoriasis clear up just by using fish or flax seed oil on a daily basis.2. Other vitamins that help - There are several other vitamins and minerals that can help reduce or relieve the symptoms of scalp psoriasis when taken regularly. These include Vitamin A, D, and Zinc. A good home remedy for scalp psoriasis would include the use of products which contain extra vitamin A, D, or Zinc in them. Be careful not to use harsh shampoos however, because this can cause the scalp to dry out even further and that can aggravate and enhance the psoriasis.3. Get some sun - Sunlight is a great home remedy for scalp psoriasis, because the UV rays from sunlight help kill the skin cells faster and thus cause them to flake off at a quicker rate.4. Oatmeal soaking - Soaking in oatmeal, or covering your head with an oatmeal paste in the case of scalp psoriasis, can both reduce itching and make the scales softer. Oatmeal is an excellent natural skin softening remedy.5. Aloe Vera - Aloe vera juice or gel is another excellent home remedy for scalp psoriasis. It relieves and reduces itching, penetrates the skin to help it heal on all levels, and helps to soften the psoriasis scales too. Be careful to use pure aloe vera however, because over the counter beauty products often have additives such as alcohol and fragrance, which can just aggravate the psoriasis even more.6. Apple Cider Vinegar - This is a natural home remedy for scalp psoriasis that works by helping to restore the natural PH balance of your skin. Rub it into your scalp and leave it on for an hour or so, then wash it out with a gentle herbal shampoo which has natural oils. Jojoba oil is a great one to try, because its molecules are small enough to penetrate the thicker psoriasis scales.Click here to read more about home remedy for psoriasis on scalp.
Friday, September 9, 2011
NIT on Psoriasis Treatment
Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale. Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body and is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression. Psoriasis [pronounced sore-EYE-ah-sis] is a noncontagious, lifelong skin disease. According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis.
The most common form, plaque [plak] psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale. Living with Psoriasis In addition to its physical impact on your skin, psoriasis can also affect your emotional, psychological and social well-being. This visible and lifelong disease may change how you view yourself and interact with others. Frequently asked questions about Psoriasis Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, genetic disease manifesting in the skin and/or the joints. According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. In plaque psoriasis, the most common type, patches of skin called "lesions" become inflamed and are covered by silvery white scale. Psoriasis can be limited to a few lesions or can involve moderate to large areas of skin. The severity of psoriasis can vary from person to person; however, for most people, psoriasis tends to be mild. Is psoriasis contagious? No, psoriasis is not contagious. It is not something you can "catch" or "pass on." The psoriatic lesions may not look good, but they are not infections or open wounds. People with psoriasis pose no threat to the health or safety of others. What causes psoriasis? No one knows exactly what causes psoriasis, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Most researchers agree that the immune system is somehow mistakenly triggered, which speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells. A normal skin cell matures and falls off the body's surface in 28 to 30 days. But a psoriatic skin cell takes only three to four days to mature and move to the surface. Instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up and form the lesions. How is psoriasis diagnosed? No special blood tests or diagnostic tools exist to diagnose psoriasis. The physician or other health care provider usually examines the affected skin and decides if it is from psoriasis. Less often, the physician examines a piece of skin (biopsy) under the microscope. Is there a cure for psoriasis? There is no cure, but many different treatments, both topical (on the skin) and systemic (throughout the body) such as Dermasis, can clear psoriasis for periods of time. People often need to try out different treatments before they find one that works for them. What treatments are the best for me? The unpredictable nature of psoriasis makes treatment challenging for many people. A wide range of treatments is available. No single psoriasis treatment works for everyone, but something will work for most people. It is hard to predict what will work for a particular individual; however, it is important to be open-minded and willing to work with your doctor to find a treatment that will work for you. Get Facts Discovered! http://mhlnk.com/4CD89A38 Is all psoriasis alike? No. There are various forms of psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is the most common. Other forms are: * Guttate [GUH-tate], characterized by small dot-like lesions * Pustular [PUHS-choo-ler], characterized by weeping lesions and intense scaling * Inverse, characterized by intense inflammation * Erythrodermic [eh-REETH-ro-der-mik], characterized by intense shedding and redness of the skin Psoriasis can range from mild to moderate to very severe and disabling. Can psoriasis affect all parts of the body? Psoriasis most commonly appears on the scalp, knees, elbows and torso. But psoriasis can develop anywhere, including the nails, palms, soles, genitals and face (which is rare). Often the lesions appear symmetrically, which means in the same place on the right and left sides of the body. Can psoriasis occur at any age? Psoriasis often appears between the ages of 15 and 35, but it can develop at any age. Approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of those with psoriasis get it before age 10. Some infants have psoriasis, although this is considered rare. Is psoriasis more prevalent in men or women, or in different ethnic groups? Psoriasis occurs nearly equally in men and women across all socioeconomic groups. It is also present in all racial groups, but in varying rates. What health complications are associated with psoriasis? The skin, the largest organ in the body, plays an important role. It controls body temperature and serves as a barrier to infection. Large areas of psoriasis can lead to infection, fluid loss and poor blood flow (circulation). Is psoriasis linked to other diseases? Psoriatic arthritis is a specific type of arthritis that has been diagnosed in approximately 23 percent of people who have psoriasis, according to the Psoriasis Foundation's 2001 Benchmark Survey. Psoriatic arthritis is similar to rheumatoid arthritis but generally milder. In psoriatic arthritis, the joints and the soft tissue around them become inflamed and stiff. Psoriatic arthritis can affect the fingers and toes and may involve the, neck, lower back, knees and ankles. In severe cases, psoriatic arthritis can be disabling and cause irreversible damage to joints. If I have psoriasis does that mean I will develop psoriatic arthritis? Approximately 10 percent to 30 percent of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis, although it often may go undiagnosed, particularly in its milder forms. It can develop at any time, but for most people it appears between the ages of 30 and 50. Having psoriasis does not guarantee that you will eventually develop psoriatic arthritis. How severe can my psoriasis become? Psoriasis can be mild, moderate or severe. Three percent to 10 percent of the body affected by psoriasis is considered to be a moderate case. More than 10 percent is considered severe. The palm of the hand equals 1 percent of the skin. However, the severity of psoriasis is also measured by how psoriasis affects a person's quality of life. Psoriasis can have a serious impact even if it involves a small area, such as the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. Get Facts Discovered! http://mhlnk.com/4CD89A38 What are psoriasis triggers? Triggers can include emotional stress, injury to the skin, some types of infection and reactions to certain drugs. Stress can cause psoriasis to flare for the first time or aggravate existing psoriasis. Psoriasis can also be triggered in areas of the skin that have been injured or traumatized. This is known as the "Koebner phenomenon." Vaccinations, sunburns and scratches can all trigger a Koebner response. The Koebner response can be treated if it is caught early enough. Certain medications, like antimalarial drugs, lithium and certain beta-blockers, are also known to cause people's psoriasis to flare. Other triggers may include weather, diet and allergies. Triggers will vary from person to person and what may cause one person's psoriasis to flare may produce no reaction in another individual. Why does my psoriasis itch, and how do I control the itching? Itching that is associated with psoriasis arises when certain chemicals stimulate nerve fibers just below the outer layer of the skin.
Psoriasis Origins
Psoriasis may be one of the oldest recorded skin conditions. Psoriasis cannot be passed from one person to another, though it is more likely to occur in people whose family members have it. Psoriasis is more of an inconvenience inmost cases than it is threatening. Psoriasis vulgaris, also known as "plaque psoriasis," is the most common form of psoriasis and affects 80% of people with the disease. It tends to be a relatively persistent or chronic pattern of psoriasis that can be improved with treatment but is difficult to clear completely with topical treatments alone. Environmental factors such as smoking, sun exposure, alcoholism, and HIV infection may affect how often the psoriasis occurs and how long the flare-ups last. Plaque psoriasis is the most common presentation of psoriasis and of all the patterns is the most likely to affect the typical areas of the elbows, knees, umbilicus and lower back. As the name suggests plaque psoriasis is marked by the presence of plaques on the skin. Plaque psoriasis is characterized by large areas patches forming particularly on the limbs and trunk; including the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. Of the 7 types of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis is the most common and accounts for approximately 80% of psoriasis cases. The first peak occurrence of plaque psoriasis is in people aged 16-22 years. Females develop plaque psoriasis earlier than males. Chronic plaque psoriasis is usually managed initially with topical agents. If plaque psoriasis is too extensive or severe to be effectively managed with topical treatments, phototherapy or systemic agents can be used and are usually very effective at improving and even clearing the psoriasis. Rapid production of skin cells forces premature skin cells to the surface of the skin where they form thick plaques. Although Plaque psoriasis usually will not cause itching, itching, cracking, and pain on the skin may also be symptoms of plaque psoriasis. The skin plaques take on a silver white appearance and the inflammed skin underneath is red. The burning sensation can be brought on when adjacent skin or clothing rubs against the plaques. As with other types of psoriasis, Plaque Psoriasis generally is a persistant, chronic pattern of psoirasis, which can be improved with treatment, but proves to be difficult to cure with just topical treatments. Treatments with the least side effects should generally be tried first and more potentially-dangerous treatments instituted only when resistance is demonstrated.
First line management of chronic plaque psoriasis is with topical treatments, including vitamin D analogues, topical corticosteroids, tar-based preparations, dithranol, salicylic acid and topical retinoids. Among the natural treatments available, special blends of essential oils are considered very good. Psoriasis treatment depends primarily on the type of Psoriasis you have and the severity of it. Plaque psoriasis is the most common and affects 9 out of 10 sufferers. Plaque psoriasis is usually stable and remains unchanged for longer periods than the guttate variety and is called the chronic plaque psoriasis as compared to the acute nature of the guttate psoriasis. If plaque psoriasis is too extensive or severe to be effectively managed with topical treatments alone, refer to a dermatologist for phototherapy and/or systemic agents. Psoriasis treatments include various topical creams, internal medications and light therapy. Very often such psoriasis treatments are used as phototherapy or biologics methods, but the chosen way of treatment depends on the disease degree and doctor's recommendations.
Cases of Psoriasis
These unsightly scaly patches can appear almost anywhere, although the majority can be found on the larger portions of open skin (abdominals, back, thighs). While psoriasis is not contagious it can still be a very severe problem for those who have it at the most destructive stage. About 10% of the people with psoriasis have it very severely while the other 90% have mild to moderate cases of the disease. The worst part is that there is no known cause of psoriasis so it could continue to go on without a cure or a protection. It could have something to do with genetics (in which case you could do nothing to prevent it) or it could have something to do with lifestyle (which you could then change). Whatever psoriasis is caused by it is known to lower the quality of life of the person living with it because they have to deal with the large, unsightly skin patches. Individuals who have psoriasis have been known to struggle with low self esteem and/ or depression. Don't let psoriasis take control of your life- fight back! Here are a few ways you can stop the control it has over you!Work out. Many people who obtain psoriasis end up with what is known as psoriasis arthritis. This condition is in direct connection with psoriasis and can be just as painful and hindering as regular arthritis so you should aim to avoid it. Exercising, or working out, will keep you limbered up and keep your hands and knees active, lessening your chances of psoriasis arthritis. Get regular health checks. Psoriasis has been known to increase the chances a person has of getting certain other diseases. Some of these diseases include hypertension, heart failure, diabetes and insomnia. By getting a regular check up you can lessen the chances of something else becoming connected with the psoriasis you are already dealing with. Talk to a counselor. Counselors are professionally trained to deal with emotional distress, even if it spills over into your physical conditions. Since psoriasis often becomes a mental and physical problem a counselor will have a lot to offer you in terms of getting over the way you feel about your self. Outside of these helpful hints for keeping psoriasis at a distance, if you have the disease you can try one of the treatment options that are available. Here are the three most popular:Topical treatment: Topical treatment means using certain bath soaps, moisturizers and lotions to alleviate the pressures of psoriasis. Topical treatment seems to be the most effective for people with mild cases of psoriasis, not severe. The only thing with topical treatment is that you will have to be careful about which products you use because some can irritate your skin not soothe it!Phototherapy: Phototherapy has been known to clear up some mild to moderate forms of psoriasis through its usage of the sun. Sunlight is used in short bursts to expose the most effected areas. The wavelengths of sun are supposed to peel off some of the unsightly marks of psoriasis. Systemic treatment: Systemic treatment is for more serious to severe cases of psoriasis. It is where the blood is used to facilitate the skins reactions. Systemic treatments often consist of pill or injection medications. Whatever your case of psoriasis currently is know that it is treatable.
Types of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that commonly affects about 2 to 3 percent of people worldwide. It most often occurs on the elbows, scalp, and knees. They usually shows up as red lesions on the skin and are usually round in shape. These lesions are covered with whitish scales. Psoriasis comes in many kinds and varies in the way in affects patients as far as severity. Many times patients have to seek out a psoriasis scalp treatment or other treatments to get the psoriasis in a manageable state. The Different Kinds of PsoriasisPlaque psoriasis or psoriasis vulgaris is very common and happens in 80 to 90 percent of the psoriasis cases. The lesions in this type of psoriasis have a very pronounced shape and the red with whitish scales. These can be rather thick in bad cases but can also be thin. The lesions come in sizes ranging from small to large. It can be limited to a certain area of the body or be found all over the body but the breakout is fairly symmetrical. The area where it usually occurs is on the knees, scalp, and elbows but it can also occur in other areas too. Sometimes they can burn and itch but no other symptoms usually are associated with this type of psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis shows up suddenly as 2mm to 5mm, lesions that are shaped somewhat like dewdrops. This appears on the body's extremities and trunk. This type of psoriasis usually happens after either an upper-respiratory-viral or a streptococcal infection, and disappears in a matter of months. Flexural psoriasis normally appears on the groin, armpits, the buttocks crease, or under the breast area. This normally happens in red shiny patches with very little if any scaling. Palmoplantar psoriasis appears on the soles and the palms as red areas that are scaly. It can also have small pustules that are not infectious. This can often be mistaken for a kind of eczema.Sebopsorasis actually looks like the seborrheic dermatitis with lesions that are yellow in color with oily soft scales. These lesions show up under the breasts, scalp, face, or armpits. Sufferers that have this on their scalp would need a Psoriasis Scalp Treatment.Generalized pustular psoriasis appears as small pustules that are not infectious, mixed with pus-filled larger patches on top of big red areas of skin. Sufferers of this type of psoriasis can wind up with a fever and often have to go to the hospital for treatment.This type of psoriasis can be brought on by the using steroids or the consequent withdrawal from them and other infections.Erythordermic psoriasis also can cover larger areas of the body but does not usually occur in the facial area. It has red and many times scaly places. People can also need to go to the hospital for more in-depth treatment with this one. As you can see that some forms of psoriasis would call for a psoriasis scalp treatment while others would not call for one. Just know that there is a psoriasis scalp treatment out there that will give you some relief if you suffer from a scalp form of the disease.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)