04/04/2016
Home Remedies for Psoriasis
what is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition caused by an overactive immune system. Symptoms include flaking, inflammation, and thick, white, silvery, or red patches of skin.
Types of psoriasis
1.Plaque psoriasis. About 80% of people with psoriasis have this. It causes the raised red patches with white scales.
2.Guttate psoriasis. Children, teenagers, and young adults are most likely to get this. It often appears after an infection, such as strep throat. It causes red, scaly, raindrop-shaped spots, usually on the belly, arms, legs, and scalp. It often clears up on its own without treatment.
3.Erythrodermic psoriasis. This causes fierce red and scaly skin over large areas of your body. It can develop from other forms of psoriasis. Psoriasis treatments or withdrawal from certain drugs, like corticosteroids, can trigger it.
4.Inverse psoriasis. You get scaly and bright red patches in the folds of your skin -- for instance, under your breasts, in your armpits, or on your ge****ls. Obesity can make it worse.
Factors that will triggers psoriasis
1.Skin injury: A cut, scrape, bug bite, infection, bad sunburn, or even too much scratching can trigger the condition.
2.Infections: Strep infections, in particular, are linked with guttate psoriasis, which looks like small, red drops. Kids will often have strep throat before their first flare. Earaches, bronchitis, tonsillitis, or a respiratory infection such as a cold, the flu, or pneumonia can also set off your skin problems.
3.HIV : Psoriasis usually is worse in the beginning stages of the disease, but then it gets better after you start certain treatments.
4.Medications : Some can make psoriasis worse.
Lithium, which treats bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses
High blood pressure and heart medicines, including propranolol (Inderal) and other beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and quinidine
Antimalarial, including chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), and quinacrine
Indomethacin (Indocin), which treats inflammation
5.Stress : Scientists think your immune system may respond to emotional and mental pressures the same way it does to physical problems like injuries and infections.
6.Weight : People who are obese tend to get plaques in their skin creases and folds.
7.Smoking : Lighting up can double your risk of getting psoriasis. If you also have a family history of the disease, you're nine times more likely. And smoking makes it harder to get rid of symptoms. It's closely linked with a kind of pustular psoriasis on your palms and soles that's difficult to treat.
8.Alcohol: Heavy drinkers have a higher risk, especially younger men. Alcohol can make treatments less effective, too.
9.Hormone changes: The disease often shows up or flares during puberty. Menopause can also trigger it. A pregnant woman's symptoms may get better or even disappear during pregnancy. But after the baby is born, many women have a flare.
Home Remedies for Psoriasis
1.Lay It on Thick
Looking for a way to ditch the itch? A heavy cream can be the answer. Try petroleum jelly or another thick moisturizer. It locks water into your skin to help it heal and reduce the redness.
2.Apple Cider Vinegar for Your Scalp
It's more than just a salad dressing. Put some on your head a few times a week -- either full strength or mixed with water. It's a recipe for relief when your scalp calls out "scratch me."
Rinse it off after it dries so you won't get an irritation. And don't use this stuff if your scalp is bleeding or
3.Get a Little Sun
Spend some time in the great outdoors. The sun's ultraviolet B rays can help fight your psoriasis.
But don't overdo it! Stick to 5 or 10 minutes a day and use sunscreen on spots without psoriasis. Too much sun can raise your risk of skin cancer.
4.Season" Your Bath
Want to shed some scales and soothe your skin? Put Dead Sea or Epsom salts into a tub with warm water. Soak for about 15 minutes, and use a moisturizer when you're done to seal in the water.
5.Capsaicin
It's the ingredient that makes chili peppers hot, and it's got a place in your bag of tricks. Researchers say it can cut pain, inflammation, and redness. You'll find it in over-the-counter creams.
A note of caution: Some people say it gives them a burning feeling when they put it on their skin.
7.Turmeric
You might know it as the yellow herb that shows up in foods with a curry sauce. Studies show it may cut down your psoriasis flare-ups. You can try it as an ingredient in your meals or as a supplement.
8.Tea Tree Oil
It comes from a plant that's native to Australia, but you don't have to go that far to get relief. Shampoos made with this oil may help with psoriasis on your scalp, though more research is needed.
9.Soak in Oats
It's a natural way to soothe your skin. Put some ground-up oats in your bath, sit back, and relax. Just make sure the water is warm, not hot, so you don't irritate your skin.
10. Meditation and yoga
Cut down your stress to shake off your symptoms. Meditation can help you take your psoriasis in stride.
Yoga is especially helpful if you have psoriatic arthritis, because it eases joint pain and increases your range of motion.
11.Wrap It Up!
Put cream on your skin at bedtime and cover the area with plastic wrap. Then add a layer of tight clothing -- like gloves or socks.
The idea is to seal the moisturizer in overnight and let your skin absorb it.
12.Omega-3 Fatty Acids
They fight inflammation, and you can find them in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines. You can also buy fish oil supplements.
But just how much they help with psoriasis isn't so clear. Studies have mixed results, so get your doctor's advice.
13.Oregon Grape
The name's a little misleading. It's an evergreen plant, not really a grape. It's shown some promise in studies.
The plant's formal name is Mahonia aquifolium. Look for creams in which it's 10% of the ingredients.
14.Mediterranean Diet
This eating plan puts the focus on fish, fruits and veggies, and whole grains. A small study shows it might make your symptoms less severe
15.Aloe Vera
Studies suggest this plant can improve psoriasis. Get gel or cream with 0.5% aloe vera in it and put it on your skin. Aloe Vera is anti- inflammatory and helps decrease redness.
But steer clear of tablets. There's no evidence that they help.
source; webmd.com
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