Are you embarrassed often because of your skin condition? Psoriasis can be a painful condition. Not just physically, but psychologically as well. Psoriasis is one of the most common skin disorders with a worldwide prevalence of about 2-3% of the general population. (Source: International Journal of Homeopathic Sciences)
Types of psoriasis
Psoriasis presents in different forms. Following are the types of psoriasis commonly seen:
- Plaque psoriasis is classified as a wide, elevated area on the skin.
- Pustular psoriasis is when you’ve small, elevated, circumscribed lesions.
- Inverse psoriasis is psoriasis in armpits and groins.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis is when you’ve recurring reddish, psoriatic patches covered with silvery scales.
- Psoriasis affecting the joints causing permanent disfigurement is called psoriatic arthritis.
Symptoms of psoriasis
The psoriasis symptoms may vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Here are few of the common symptoms:
- Patchy red skin with irritation, covered with white flakes.
- Itching at the affected area along with cracked and dry skin.
- Scaly lesions or plaques on the scalp
- Discoloration and pitting of fingernails and toenails, nails may crumble or detach themselves from the nail bed.
- Dryness of the skin can lead to cracking and bleeding.
Causes of psoriasis
- Autoimmunity: The immune system reacting to the skin cells is the elementary cause of psoriasis. In the case of psoriasis, the skin cells multiply rapidly so much that you can see the dead skin scales falling off.
- Genetic: Heredity is the major cause of psoriasis. Does anyone in your immediate family have psoriasis or any other autoimmune disease? Then you might have the tendency for psoriasis. If your parents suffer from psoriasis then you have an increased risk of developing it.
- Trauma: Any type of skin injury might trigger psoriasis in the affected area. This is known as Kobner’s phenomenon.
- Stress: Long-lasting stress might make one prone to suffer from psoriasis.
Conventional treatment for psoriasis
The conventional line of treatment for psoriasis gives certain immune-modulating medicines like steroids. These are typically given in an ointment form in the early stage of the treatment when the psoriasis is mild. In extensive cases of psoriasis, steroids are given in the form of medicines which give rapid relief from scaling, itching and also reduce the active lesions. But after discontinuing the use of steroids, it increases the psoriatic lesions. This is termed as a steroid withdrawal phenomenon.
Psoriasis treatment in homeopathy
Homeopathy has successfully treated many diseases and conditions. One such condition is psoriasis. There are several homeopathic medicines that can easily bring relief to patients with this skin condition. With regular use, the skin can clear up and not show a trace of the lesions or scaliness.
A 43‐year‐old psoriasis patient, whose baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score was 57.6, pursued treatment in homeopathy. After 5 months of homeopathy treatment, his PASI score was 11.3. (Source: Wiley Online Library)
Carcinosin homeopathic remedy is for patients who get psoriasis due to genetics. Kali Arsenicum is prescribed to patients who suffer from severe itching, especially in warm conditions. It is prescribed for those that have cuts and oozing lesions along the inner side of the elbow and behind the knees. Kali Sulphuricum is for oozing and infected psoriatic lesions. Apis Mellifica is used for eruptions that feel hot and dry and yet are sensitive to touch. Calendula can soothe the inflammation that psoriasis causes. However, it is not advisable to self-medicate. Consult an experienced and trained homeopath. He or she would be the best person to recommend the right medicine for your skin condition.
Book an online appointment with an expert homeopathy doctor for an effective psoriasis treatment plan. He/she will evaluate your case history before prescribing homeopathic medicines which are free of side-effects.
Self-help tips:
- Avoid hot water baths.
- Never scrub your skin when you bathe. Friction is a triggering factor for psoriasis. Don’t use a luffa or scrubber when you bathe.
- Use moisturizer to not let your skin dry.
- Avoid using cosmetics.
- Don’t eat red meat as it can worsen psoriasis.
- Don’t use sharp-toothed comb if you have scalp psoriasis.
- Shampoo gently. Rubbing a shampoo into the scalp might seem best, but it’s not. Rubbing, scrubbing and scratching your scalp can make scalp psoriasis worse.