What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin disease- a prolonged inflammation of skin. Psoriasis can begin at any age but generally starts either around the age of 20 or between 50 and 60 and affects both the genders. Psoriasis is not an infectious skin disease and it does not affect the general health.
Usually, skin cells go through a month-long life cycle. New skin cells are formed deep within the skin which replace the top skin cells over a period of about 28 to 30 days. The old dead skin cells are sloughed off by everyday routines such as showering and toweling off. In people suffering from psoriasis, however, the entire skin cell process happens in three or four days which causes a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. This usually happens in patches, mostly on the scalp, lower back, elbows, knees, and knuckles. The technical term used for these dry, irritating, scaly patches is plaques.
Causes of Psoriasis
The actual causes of psoriasis are still not known to medical science but there are certain factors that can trigger psoriasis
- Heredity - If one of the parents suffer from psoriasis, there is 15% chances for a child to get it and if both the parents have psoriasis then this possibility rises upto 60%.
- Throat infections – Prolonged throst infection sometimes trigger psoriasis.
- Trauma - Mental stress or psychological trauma may also set off psoriasis.
- Skin problems- Cuts, bruises or burns on skin may also cause psoriasis.
- Food – According to the Ayurvedic concept of psoriasis, having foods that have opposite influences can lead to psoriasis. Consuming food that is too salty, too sour and/or too heavy for digestion can also cause psoriasis.
- Climatic conditions- Exposure to severe climatic conditions can also sometimes cause psoriasis due to sudden changes in temperature. Taking bath in cold water immediately after physical exertion can also cause psoriasis.
Psoriasis Home Remedies
Although there is no complete treatment to get rid of psoriasis, one can help avoid it and let the body recover more quickly. The symptoms of psoriasis can be eased with some simple home remedies.
Apple Cider Vinegar Dip- Apple cider vinegar is a disinfectant and has been used since very early times to soothe minor burns and other skin inflammations. Make an apple cider vinegar compress by adding 1 cup apple cider vinegar to 1 gallon water. Then soak a washcloth in this mixture and apply it to the skin to ease itching.
Olive Oil- For easing psoriasis outbreaks, add 2 tsp olive oil to a large glass of milk. Add this to bathwater. If having psoriasis on scalp, massage some warm olive oil on scaly patches there. This helps soften the dead skin and makes it easier to remove them.
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| Psoriasis Treatment with Aloe Vera |
Aloe Vera- .Aloe vera plant has great skin-soothing properties. split open an aloe vera leaf and apply its gel onto the plaques. One can even buy aloe vera gel available at pharmacies and health-food stores.
Baking Soda- Mix 1- 1/2 cups baking soda into 3 gallons water. Apply this to itchy patches with the help of a washcloth soaked in the solution. This relieves itching caused by psoriasis.
Epsom Salts- Add a handful of Epsom salts to bathwater. They keep swelling down and heal psoriasis.
Mineral Oil- Add some mineral oil to bathwater and soak the affected skin. Vegetable oil can also be used for the purpose.
Some researches state that vitamin D from sun rays are also one of the effective natural psoriasis treatments. Read Natural Psoriasis Treatment with Sunrays Vitamin D!
Psoriasis- Some Do's and Don'ts
Minor lifestyle changes and food habits can help avoid psoriasis and problems related to it. Here are some do's and don'ts for people suffering from psoriasis.
- Avoid all factors (that you can) which trigger psoriasis.
- Reduce stress levels through meditation and Yoga .
- Do not prick, peel or scratch skin as it may trigger psoriasis.
- After bathing or washing pat dry the skin. Don't rub the towel vigorously on skin.
- Don't use soap as it dries skin. Use gram flour (besan) to cleanse skin instead of soap.
- Apply moisturizing creams liberally on affected areas after bathing. If possible, use emollient moisturizing lotion or cream but consult your doctor before using any such thing.
- Wear cotton clothes and avoid synthetic clothes.
- Avoid consuming opposite foods.
- Don't control natural urges like vomiting, urination, bowel emptying etc.
- Don't take cold water bath immediately after a heavy work out, traveling, a long walk etc.
- Don't consume foods that cause indigestion. Also avoid eating too much of salty, sour or acidic foods.
- Don't eat radish, urad dal, sesame, jaggery (gur), curd, fish and other sour foods as they trigger psoriasis.
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