Alternative Answers for Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin, usually in the form of thick, red, scaly patches. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. It has been referred to as the same process that a wound heals. If you cut yourself, the skin heals by regenerating the top layers. When the wound is healed, the process stops but for psoriasis sufferers, once this process is triggered by any of a number of factors, skin cells are stimulated to continue growing. This usually doesn’t stop unless the cycle is interrupted with treatment.
Psoriasis, as an autoimmune disease, is divided into acute phase, psoriasis vulgaris, and reoccurring, chronic psoriasis vulgaris. These are divided into 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 scales. Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body. Psoriasis is often associated with other serious conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Aloe vera looks like a cactus with soft leaves. The fluid contained in the leaves has been used for centuries to treat burns and minor wounds. Today, aloe gel is used frequently as an ingredient in cosmetics, creams, ointments and suntan lotions. A study published in 1996 in Tropical Medicine and International Health found that aloe vera was very effective in the treatment of psoriasis. By the end of the 16-week study, a cream with aloe vera extract caused a significant clearing of psoriasis in 25 of 30 patients, compared to two out of 30 with the placebo. However, a study published in May 2005 in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found that the effect of commercial aloe vera gel on stable plaque psoriasis was modest and not much better than placebo.
Apple cider vinegar and many different types of vinegar (derived from dates, figs, etc.) have been used by many ancient cultures for medicinal purposes. Apple cider vinegar has been used throughout the years as a disinfectant or soothing agent. The Psoriasis Foundation hears from people who apply apple cider vinegar to their skin as a treatment for psoriasis. People add it to the bath, mix it with a moisturizer, soak fingernails and toenails in it, and apply it directly to the skin with cotton balls or pads.
Capsaicin, a natural ingredient found in cayenne peppers, has been shown in some studies to work on redness, scaling and itching of the skin. Researchers have shown that capsaicin interrupts the action of substance P, (a molecule which affects how the brain recognizes pain and itch sensations) at the nerve ending. In two separate studies with psoriasis patients, 0.025% capsaicin cream used topically was effective in decreasing scaling and redness. The main side effect was a short-lived burning sensation. Several studies indicate that topical capsaicin products can also help reduce joint pain associated with psoriatic arthritis. Capsaicin can cause a severe burning sensation if it comes in contact with the eyes, nasal passages or mucous membranes.
Emu oil is reported to be helpful for dermatitis suffers of all kinds, as this oil has a protective and softening effect on the skin. The exact mechanism by which emu oil works is not known.
Oats and oat extracts have been used for centuries as soothing topical agents. Oat plant derivatives have been used to manage dry, itchy skin conditions. Many bath products include colloidal oatmeal as the active ingredient. You can make your own oatmeal bath. Combine one cup oats, one quarter cup dried milk and two tablespoons apricot kernel oil. Pulverize the oats and dry milk in a food processor or blender. Gradually mix in the oil. Place the mixture in a cotton bag, sock or handkerchief and put in the tub while filling. To release the preparation, squeeze while soaking in the bath.
Aromatherapy can help with hives, eczema, dermatitis, bee stings inflammation, and dryness. Helpful, are essential oils such as Chamomile, Cedarwood, Lavender, Geranium, Tea Tree, Lemon, Myrrh, and Thyme.
Aromatherapy is extremely helpful with stress! Reducing stress, anxiety, boost immunity, and relieve numerous conditions all caused by stress. Stress reduction is one of aromatherapy’s specialties! Helpful, are essential oils such as Bergamot, Chamomile, Rose, Lavender, Clary Sage, Jasmine, and Ylang Ylang will relax you. Whereas, Basil, Geranium, and Rosemary will recharge, revitalize, and stimulate you. Rosemary and Geranium oils also strengthen the adrenal glands, which are effected by stress.
Dilute essential oils with a carrier oil or add a few drops to a moisturizing lotion and massage into the skin for sore muscle treatments or stress release. Use anytime, especially before bed for calming and inducing sleep. Add a few drops to boiling water and lean over it with a towel for a steam facial, or diffuse to help ease tension and stress. Diffuse for balancing and help with calming down. Inhale the essential oils deeply as they diffuse into the air.
Baths, diffuser blends, inhalants, and massage oils, as well as, skin treatments, hair treatments and body treatments all allow you to pamper yourself while improving the condition of your body, your mental state, as well as, your emotional/spiritual well-being.
Diet can greatly influence dermatological responsiveness or lack of it, as can exposure to potentially irritating substances and pollutants.
The skin MUST be fed! Our body needs essential minerals, vitamins and amino acids, fatty acids and water. If our bodies do not receive them, we experience malnutrition. Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients. Internally, our optimum health is determined by several mechanisms. These include our digestion, absorption, metabolism, and genetic makeup. These systems work in a complexed and synergistic process and since individuals differ in so many ways, including genetically, our optimal health is different for each individual. Discovering your OWN individual course of action and approach to healing is YOUR responsibility. It is up to you to learn what works best for you and what does not. Therefore, trial and error are very important when it comes to understanding what foods, nutrients and minerals are going to help you heal.
Water is essential in any healing process. 6-8 eight ounce glasses per day are recommended.
Excessive protein may irritate the immune system and keep it in a state of over reactivity. The protein in cow’s milk, specifically, is a frequent offender, and for people with a genetic predisposition to skin disorders may be a hidden cause of problems. One general treatment strategy, therefore, is to follow a low-protein diet and try to eliminate milk and milk products.
Food allergies can play a major role during childhood. They are related before age six. You can manipulate an infant’s diet and do well in helping their skin. Eggs, orange juice, and milk have been implicated as aggravators in children. Parents should consult with their physicians about trying elimination diets. In general, these are foods that should not be eliminated. It is only after testing them out by, by first eliminating them and then re-introducing them back into the diet. Such diets seem to work best in infants less than two years old. After age six, it is believed by experts that food plays a minimal role in most people.
For adults, diet manipulation should be undergone by each individual. If you think there’s any food you eat that has an adverse effect on your body, avoid it and see what happens. If your problem clears up, you may have a food allergy. Other foods that have shown to aggravate eczema include corn, corn syrup, popcorn, corn meal, and corn starch. This ingredient is found in hundreds of processed food products.
Alcohol appears to be a risk factor for psoriasis in men but not women. It would, therefore, be prudent for men with psoriasis to drink moderately, if at all.
Some evidence suggests that people with psoriasis may improve on a hypoallergenic diet. Eliminating gluten (found in wheat, oats, rye, and barley) improved psoriasis for some people.
A nutritionist can help individuals with psoriasis determine whether gluten or other foods are contributing to their skin condition.
Are you ready to try eliminating foods? Try Andrew’s Allergy Elimination Diet
Fish oil has shown to reduce the severity of psoriasis. One study showed that applying a preparation containing 10% fish oil directly to psoriatic lesions twice daily resulted in improvement after seven weeks. Supplementing with fish oil also may help prevent the increase in blood levels of triglycerides that occurs as a side effect of certain drugs used to treat psoriasis (e.g., Etretinate and Acitretin).
Vitamin D for men and women that is present in food, supplements, or manufactured by sunlight is converted in the body into a powerful hormone-like molecule called 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. That compound and a related naturally occurring molecule (1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3) have been found to be helpful when given orally to people with psoriasis. Topical application of these compounds has worked well in some studies. These activated forms of vitamin D are believed to work by preventing the excessive proliferation of cells that occurs in the skin of people with psoriasis.
1. Eating a diet that focuses on fresh vegetables and fruits.
2. Eat whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
3. Avoiding drugs, excessive coffee, and alcohol.
4. Taking a high potency multiple vitamin and also consider flax, fish, or borage oil and mineral supplements.
5. Take nutritional/herbal supplements to promote and enhance skin health and function.
6. Fasting is one of the best ways to increase elimination of wastes and enhance the healing process of the body and skin.
Juice therapy is an excellent way to get your fruits and vegetable fresh and in their natural form. Blending fruits and/or vegetables into a great juice creation or smoothie can be an excellent snack or meal replacement. Consider Andrew’s great juice and smoothie recipes for skin disorders!
What You Should Avoid or Limit:
Limit foods that have little or no fiber such as ice cream, cheese, meat, snacks like chips, and pizza, and processed foods such as instant mashed potatoes or already-prepared frozen dinners. Too much white flour and refined sugar, two major constipation causers, means you need more fiber.
What you don’t eat may be even more important than what you do eat. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugar, because they tend to worsen skin issues. If you can’t avoid them, then at least cut down.
Limit Caffeine: Caffeine is something many people in America and Europe are used to having in their daily lives. Many studies have shown that this addictive stimulant can help produce symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and jitters. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, chocolate, many sodas and even certain medications. Always ask your doctor about a medication containing caffeine before using it. Also, ask the doctor if there is an alternative medication if your medicine contains caffeine. Based on the current research I have found on caffeine shows that 24 ounces a day is beneficial.
Reduce Processed and Refined Foods:
Processing can rob your food of nutrients and vitamins that your body needs to fight off stress and promote good health. Try to buy whole foods, unprocessed foods, and try and stay away from “instant” foods, preservatives, artificial flavors, saturated fat, and MSG.
Reduce Sugar Intake:
Too much sugar can rob our body of essential nutrients. Consider replacing sugar with Stevia, the natural sweetener from the Stevia plant. Artificial sweetener can also cause anxiety as well as other health concerns.
Reduce Alcohol Intake:
In small amounts, alcohol can be good for your heart but too much alcohol is not a good thing for your body, and too large of an intake increases your body’s need for extra vitamins. The body has a harder time using oxygen. As a result, you can become more sensitive to stress, which in turn can aggravate your skin.
Homeopathy, as a medical system, uses infinitesimal doses of natural substances to stimulate a person’s immune system and body’s natural defenses. Homeopathic remedies are named for the plant or animal ingredients they are made from. Homeopathy not only offers relief from temporary disorders but, can provide long-term healing of a person due to its individual and “holistic” approach. This often leads to a complete recovery from the dis-ease, as well as providing an improved understanding of the patient’s situation. This type of healing makes it easier and possible to avoid recurrence or relapses in the future. Homeopathy stimulates the body’s natural defense system by re-establishing normal immune system and cell functioning.
Psoriasis remedies include:
Arsenicum album people likely to respond to this remedy usually are anxious, restless, and compulsively neat and orderly. They are often deeply chilly, experience burning pains with many physical complaints, and become exhausted easily. The skin is dry and scaly and may tend to get infected. Scratching can make the itching worse, and applying heat brings relief.
Calcarea carbonica is suited to people who are easily fatigued by exertion, sluggish physically, chilly with clammy hands and feet, and often overweight. Skin problems tend to be worse in winter. Typically solid and responsible, these people can be overwhelmed by too much work and stress. Anxiety, claustrophobia, and fear of heights are common. Cravings for sweets and eggs are often also seen when Calcarea is needed.
Graphites people needing this remedy often have a long-term history of skin disorders. The skin looks tough or leathery skin with cracks and soreness. Itching is often worse from getting warm, and the person may scratch the irritated places till they bleed. Trouble concentrating, especially in the morning, is also often seen when this remedy is needed.
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About the Author
Connect with Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac at peacefulmind.com “Living Life, Consciously” Alternative medicine and therapies for healing mind, body & spirit!
