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Psoriasis comes from the Greek word psora, meaning fine bran like scaling. Psoriasis afflicts 1% – 4% of the general population, and is a type of chronic skin condition where itchy scaly red or white flaky patches form on the scalp (in approximately 40% of cases), elbows, forearms, knees, groin, and legs or lower back. For many it is a condition that seems to “come and go,” and may appear as a few spots or involve large areas. It is not contagious, either to other body parts or other people. It is characterised by thickening of the skin (epidermis) which reveals bleeding points upon removal of the scale.

The cause of psoriasis is uncontrolled skin-cell growth, the rate at which skin cells divide in psoriasis is roughly 1,000 times greater than in normal skin. This is a condition that generally can tend to run in families. Some cases I have seen in the clinic are quite severe, and can be quite physically and emotionally traumatic for the person involved. In most cases however, psoriasis is confined to a few spots, and seems to affect many people on the sides or at the back of the head.

Many patients visit natural therapists with psoriasis, and we are often the ‘last port of call’ when it comes to chronic conditions affecting the skin. Long-standing psoriasis patients often have been to a medical doctor or a skin specialist and have tried many creams, tar solutions, been prescribed pharmaceutical drugs and various other lotions and potions along the years. Most of these treatments are only of temporary use, and many patients I see have given up on conventional treatment and started to experiment and self-prescribe.

Natural medicine does have a big role to play in helping alleviate the condition. Skin eruptions such as psoriasis, are generally curable to a large extent if the patient perseveres with their treatment long enough, however, skin irritants such as the sun, anxiety, stress, and various other triggers take their toll over time, and the person relapses again and again. This makes it harder to stick with a treatment plan.

It can significantly help sufferers if they can identify their individual triggers, to eat a more ‘psoriasis-friendly’ diet, and to learn about the effects of stress and nervous tension on psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a stubborn and difficult condition to treat, both from a practitioner’s as well as patient’s perspective. Successful treatment requires patience, diligence and long-term treatments with detoxification to observe any true lasting benefits.

I have found that there are many potential causes of psoriasis, and several underlying factors may trigger skin flare-ups, including the following. Poor protein digestion and bowel toxemia: One major theory relating to the cause of psoriasis proposes that psoriasis occurs when the liver is functioning poorly, in which case endotoxins (wastes from within the body) enter the bloodstream. The build up of endotoxins, along with poor bowel flora (too many bad bugs, not enough good ones, or an imbalance of colonic bacteria) levels has been linked with psoriasis. Poor kidney function is also implicated. A low fibre diet is a common cause, because psoriasis is associated with high levels of circulating endotoxins, and a diet low in fibre is associated with increased levels of endotoxin-producing bacteria. In addition, a high fat diet: It is interesting to note in countries with lower fat consumption that psoriasis is rare. Some experts believe that psoriasis can result from the faulty utilisation of fat in the body.

Many doctors blame this condition on genetics (hereditary), psoriasis runs in families they say. There are always exceptions, however. A faulty immune system is common in psoriasis patients, and psoriasis may occur as a result of allergies. I always check the person out carefully for any underlying food allergies. It pays to go onto a trial elimination-diet for about three weeks to determine to what degree your diet aggravates your skin condition. Excessive activity of certain white blood cells called lymphocytes ( helper T-Cells) may be an underlying cause of psoriasis. People with AIDS or HIV patients often have the most severe forms of psoriasis.

Stress is a big one, and in fact one of the major triggers. I find that many people can tend to have a flare-up after periods of stress, this can include emotional stress, or physiological stress such as sunlight exposure. Alcohol is a strong aggravating factor, particularly with male drinkers. Tobacco smoking increases the risk of psoriasis developing in women particularly. Also, watch out for the less obvious forms of fat such as potato chips, chocolate, fish/chips, sausages, pizza and too much BBQ in summertime.

Certain pharmaceutical drugs I have found are strongly involved in precipitating a psoriasis flare up. These are the main ones: alpha-interferon, aspirin, cortisone, lithium, beta-blockers, phenylbutazone, progesterone, iodide, nystatin, and indomethacin. Over the years, I have found that various people actually have a drug-induced form of psoriasis. This is particularly true with elderly patients I have seen, who develop a bad case after certain types of pharmaceutical drugs were introduced. One such drug is hydroxychloroquine, sometimes used for rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause severe psoriatic skin reactions. Are you taking a drug and have psoriasis? Then go online and do some searches, you may be quite amazed.

Eric’s psoriasis treatment Plan

First of all, it is important to be aware of causes & triggers of psoriasis. There is no sense in treating a condition such as psoriasis when you are aggravating it at the same time by being on a causative drug, too much alcohol, or a poor diet high in take-away. It is important to eat a healthy diet and avoid foods that could potentially trigger your psoriasis, as well as to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water daily to flush the body and keep the skin hydrated.

Dietary recommendations

A cleansing diet, for 2-3 weeks, is advisable in the beginning of treatment of psoriasis. You are best to consult your Naturopath or qualified natural health-care practitioner about this. There are several ways you can do this, but the best way is to follow professional guidance until you know what you are doing. I place patients on what I call the ‘hypo-allergenic diet’ for a three week period, this special diet is avoid of all the potentially immune-trigger foods such as dairy, wheat and gluten containing grains, eggs, and the four to five key trigger foods. After the diet, you will be able to see for yourself to what degree your current diet affects your skin. You might be quite surprised to see just how much your health and vitality has improved over all, and not just your skin!

Fresh food diet: The people who appear to obtain the best results with psoriasis, are the ones who eat the most fresh foods in their diet. Plenty of fresh, steamed, and partially cooked vegetables. All the vegetables are fine generally. Carrots in particular have a most favorable effect on improving psoriasis, so eat plenty. Plenty of fruits (no banana, pineapple or citrus except lemon), raw and fresh nuts & seeds, sunflower & pumpkin seeds, and particularly sesame seeds. Alkaline grains such as millet, quinoa, rice, buckwheat are all good. Remember, lots of water

Proteins: Several gut-derived toxins are implicated in the development of psoriasis. With incomplete protein digestion, bacteria inside your bowel can break protein residues (amino acids) into various toxic compounds. One such group of toxic compounds is known as polyamines. The best way to deal with these toxins, is to reduce/limit your intake of animal meats, whilst simultaneously increasing your intake of dietary fiber. Psoriatic patients have shown remarkable improvements whilst on a vegetarian diet, and the experts think that it is probably due to their decreased levels of gut-derived toxins and polyamines in general. Digestive enzymes are occasionally important in the treatment of someone with psoriasis.

Low protein, low fat diet Many patients show signs of abnormal nitrogen (protein breakdown residues) retention. When placed on diets of no more 4-5gm/nitrogen daily (30gm protein), with an adequate caloric intake, patients experienced a gradual disappearance of psoriatic lesions whilst maintaining their weight. Lesions recurred when diet was stopped, however. When 140 patients were placed on a vegetarian diet, results were often brilliant, often the eruptions steadily faded and actually disappeared with absolutely no internal or local treatments. However, the best results were obtained by combining the diet with other forms of treatment. With a low protein, low fat diet, sometimes the rash will recur, but, as a rule, the outbreaks will not be nearly so severe or as persistent as the previous ones.

Cold-pressed vegetable oils such as sesame and/or flaxseed oil, 2 Tblsp per day. I am not a big advocate for recommending flaxseed oil as a supplement, primarily due to the fact that it is a difficult way for the body to access Omega 3, but for psoriasis it is an excellent adjunct to the diet. Extra-virgin olive oil is also great. The oils must be fresh, cold-pressed, unrefined and unheated. I believe that there are some great cold-pressed oils made here in NZ, ask around.

Animal fats: This is a major in psoriasis: If there is one thing that will make a difference, even if you just try this. Try to avoid all animal (saturated) fats as much as possible. Keep away from processed meats particularly, avoid anything from the ‘deli’ department of your supermarket. Watch out for those pre-cooked or frozen meals or snacks like pies, sausage rolls, fish-fingers, pizza, chips, etc. They generally contain hydrogenated (animal) fats. Watch out for the skin on chicken, and if you eat red meats, be sure to choose lean cuts, or remove ALL the fat carefully. I would recommend the avoidance of bacon, ham and pork as well. Venison is ok.

Fish Fats: Increase your intake of fish oils, and oily types of fish in general. Fishes rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs) are cod, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trevally, herrings, pilchards.

Avoid citrus fruits: Oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruit, etc. Lemon is fine, it is the only alkaline citrus fruit! I would also recommend that you avoid both banana and pineapple.

Avoid gluten: Gluten has been implicated as a cause of psoriasis, when gluten is removed from the diet of psoriasis patients, their condition generally improves. So, this is best tackled by removing bread, wheat, rye, barley, and even oats from the diet for a few weeks. Rice or millet, quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat all contain no gluten, so be adventurous give them a try.

Avoid alcohol: Alcohol consumption is known to worsen psoriasis considerably. The connection between the liver and psoriasis involves one of the liver’s basic functions: filtering the blood. When the liver becomes overwhelmed by the increasing number of gut-derived toxins, the level of toxins increases in the blood, and the psoriasis gets much worse. Do you really want to improve your psoriasis profoundly once and for all? Then you need to stop alcohol altogether for some time.

Other treatments or recommendations

Get your medicines checked: Are you on a ‘Beta-Blocker’ for high blood pressure? You may want to check with your doctor if it is causing any aggravations of your skin. In fact, do you have psoriasis and are on any pharmaceutical? Your GP or pharmacy should be able to tell you if your drug/s have any possible skin-based side effects. Many patients can potentially have skin conditions aggravated by pharmaceutical drugs, and how annoyed they get when they realise that it was a drug causing the problem!

Avoid commercial soaps, shampoo, cosmetics. Try instead more natural forms of these items, the Health-food shop again. The skin should be kept supple by having regular baths, add one to two teaspoons of flaxseed oil, or wheat germ oil, almond oil, etc. Try a chickweed based lotion or a cream for the itch, your Health-food shop or Naturopath can help here again.

Ultra-Violet Radiation in sunlight may temporarily alleviate the symptoms. Exposure of afflicted areas of the Skin to UV-B may temporarily alleviate psoriasis. UV-B has been shown to inhibit the excessive proliferation of skin cells that occurs in psoriasis. Aromatherapy plays an important role in dealing with such a problem as psoriasis. Evening primrose oil is used as a base on the body, use wheat germ on face or scalp. The best essentials oils to use are bergamot, sandalwood and lavender. I’ve also found that it is worth trying to apply topically, direct to the affected areas, some EPA (try evening primrose oil, or fish oil if you are game!) which may cause significant improvement in the condition of psoriasis if used regularly.

Eric’s Sensible Psoriasis Supplementation

Many people spend a lot of money (and some of this is wasted) on products to treat or alleviate their psoriasis. I have found that using topical (on your skin) treatments, good old fashioned oils such as wheat germ, avocado, or almond are hard to beat. Why pay a fortune for all those so called “wonder creams”. By taking the vitamins A, C, and E, as well as the minerals zinc and selenium you are supporting the healing of skin, the formation of collagen, protecting the skin against damage and enhancing the immune system.

Fish oils (Omega 3) will often decrease the redness, itching, and scaling, and diminish the areas generally affected. This can occur with a few weeks from taking it regularly. Psoriasis may occur as a result of an essential fatty acid deficiency- Psoriasis patients are often deficient, and improve significantly within weeks of supplementing with a good quality Omega 3 oil (EPA & DHA). Take every day 5 mls (or 3 capsules of 1000mg) of a good quality fish oil. Try New Zealand’s very own unique Omega 3 oil, rich in the Vitamin A & D which has a tremendous healing effect on the skin. Consult with your practitioner if you are on a blood-thinning drug before you take any Omega 3.

Folic acid. This B vitamin is required by the body anywhere the cells grow quickly, e.g.; the mouth, gums, cervix, and the skin in general. According to Dr. Jonathon Wright, of Seattle, Folic acid, 50mg or more each day is effective in many cases. Dosage may be tapered, as improvement occurs. Some need more, others less. B12 levels are at times very low, and need checking by everyone with psoriasis. Vitamins: B12 (100 to 1,000 mcg) may need to be intramuscular injections. An article in the British Medical Journal back in 1963 mentions about the curative powers of B12 with psoriasis. Always take a B vitamin with a B Complex in general, which is also good for stress and anxiety, and this is very important for the psoriasis sufferer!

St Mary’s Thistle: It makes good sense to take this herb, after all it has a very beneficial effect on your liver. This herb increases bile flow and helps to detoxify the polyamines which build up we mentioned earlier. And, cleaner blood means less aggravations, less redness, inflammation and discomfort in general. This herb is very important detoxifier for you to take, particularly if you take a pharmaceutical drug, and have psoriasis as well.

The Zinc taste test: This can be done by your practitioner, to ascertain your body’s level of zinc. Zinc levels are generally are low in patients with psoriasis. Take zinc at night, away from foods, try 50 – 100mg. And because so many people lack a significant source of Selenium in their diet, I generally recommend 400iu per day for a few weeks, tailoring the dose down to between 50 – 300mg depending on the person. Also, increasing your Vitamin C intake can have wonders on the skin, try between 4 – 6,000mg each day in divided doses for two to three months before you decide that it was of no benefit. I’ll bet that you get benefit. When you reduce the dosage, do it gradually with Vitamin C. Take a Vitamin C with bioflavonoid complex.

Propolis: from the beehive. Try to get some liquid, cream or lotion. Chinese studies say that when applied on the lesions, that many persons experience significant benefit.

This concludes my views on psoriasis, a skin condition which can be greatly ameliorated by holistic treatment. To summarise, it is important to consider stress as much as your nutritional status. Having worked with many patients in the clinic with psoriasis, I can assure you that by getting your stress levels under control and by supplying your body with the correct nutrients, you will have the best chance of reducing the incidence of this annoying complaint.

Mr. Eric Bakker is a registered Naturopath with a Bachelor Degree of Science majoring in Complementary Medicine as well as separate diploma qualifications in Naturopathy, Herbal Medicine and Classical Homeopathy. Eric is past Vice President of the New Zealand Natural Medicine Association with almost 20 years of clinical experience in natural medicine and has had extensive post graduate training in Australia, America, New Zealand and India.

Mr. Bakker lectures at natural medicine colleges and natural health conferences throughout Australia and NZ, writes for several journals and natural health publications and specialises in the clinical integration of natural and conventional medicine. Eric has practiced in conjunction with medical doctors for over 13 years in medical clinics in both NZ and Australia.

Mr. Bakker specialises in the clinical integration of natural forms of healing and conventional Western Medicine. Eric is the Clinical Director of The Naturopaths and has a clinical practice in the Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Your best way to contact Eric is by way of email: eric@naturopath.co.nz

His website is: http://www.naturopath.co.nz. Eric’s NEW website will be coming very soon, his old one is being revamped right now!

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition in which skin cells on certain parts of the body are produced much more rapidly than normal, up to ten times faster, causing a build up on the surface of ugly scaly patches, most commonly on the elbows or knees. These can be unsightly and painful. There may be itching, cracking and bleeding even keeping the sufferer awake with discomfort. It is known to be triggered by a number of factors, including trauma, infections, injury, drug reactions, smoking, alcohol and most notably emotional stress. Sufferers normally want to cover up their unsightly rashes during the summer months.

Psoriasis is non-contagious. Its most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white build-up of dead skin cells, called scale. In 10- 30% of sufferers the psoriasis can also present as psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. Severe bowel problems can also develop.

There are several different types of psoriasis, but discoid or “plaque” psoriasis is far and away the most common form. It is distinguished by patches of inflamed, scaly skin on the trunk and limbs, appearing particularly on the elbows, knees and scalp. Additionally, a sufferer’s nails may become pitted, thickened or separated from the nail beds. Gutate psoriasis is the form most frequently found in children: small patches appear rapidly over a wide area, often after the child has had a sore throat.

When psoriasis occurs the cycle of cell growth is accelerated. In healthy skin the cycle of cell creation to the cell being shed is about 1 month; in skin affected with psoriasis the cycle is reduced to 3-4 days. The skin becomes thickened and red due to an increased blood supply required to support the increased activity and the dead skin cells appear as a white flaky build up. It is believed that it is the immune system that is causing the effect by sending faulty signals.

A genetic link has been suggested. Around 2% of Europeans and Americans contract the disease and it is less common in black and Asian communities. Symptoms usually appear for the first time in those in the 10-30 year old age bracket.

Our skin is the largest organ of our body. We have no conscious control over what happens in our skin. Embarrassment or exercise may make our skin become redder and fear or illness may make it go pale. Our unconscious mind controls our skin, as such, hypnosis is also effective for treating wide variety of skin complaints eg acne, eczema, warts, hives, rosacea, pruritis and embarrassing problems such as blushing and sweaty palms.

The Orthodox Treatment of Psoriasis

Orthodox treatment advises exposure to the sun or to an ultra-violet lamp (light therapy) but only in small doses. An emollient (moisturizing cream) can also help. If an attack worsens, it is usually treated with an ointment containing coal tar or dithranol. Other options include P.U.V.A. (a type of phototherapy), corticosteroids and other drugs such as methotrexate. Psoriasis sufferers who experience accompanying arthritis may be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (N.S.A.I.D.’s), anti-rheumatic drugs or methotrexate and tranquillizer or antidepressant medication in severe cases.

Other forms of treatment include nutrition, detoxification, trichology, homeopathy, Ayurveda, acupuncture, healing and stress management.

The power of hypnosis with Psoriasis

This may be explained by the science of Psychoneuroimmunology which explores the correlation between how good one feels mentally and the strength of the immune system.

The unconscious learnt how to respond to a trigger to cause excessive cell growth. By reprogramming the unconscious to deal with similar triggers in a different way, the symptoms of psoriasis should subside.

Many health conditions where emotional factors play a significant role may be relieved by hypnosis. Why is this? Our emotional states may appear to arise autonomously, in a way that is outside our control. However, while it is true that emotional response is not a conscious behavior, it has been clearly demonstrated that the nature, intensity and duration of such responses can be modified with hypnosis. The skin has been called the “mirror of the mind” and may well be the external manifestation of an internal conflict. Possible emotions may be anger, aggression, frustration or guilt.

Just as blood pressure can be raised or lowered, healing can be sped up, immune response can be strengthened and pain can be reduced or eliminated. Hypnosis is an extremely effective way to bring about such changes by reprogramming the so-called instinctive responses controlled by the unconscious mind.

In some cases, uncovering early memories and removing the association with the memory have lead to a significant improvement in the condition.

The National Psoriasis Foundation, the American charitable body, states that hypnotherapy can be useful in the treatment of psoriasis. They highlighted that hypnosis is a relaxation technique and stress is a well known as a trigger for psoriasis.

It is also believed that psoriasis may be caused by trapped emotion or an inappropriate release mechanism for emotion. The discovery of the emotional cause and development of an alternative method to release that emotion can control the psoriasis. The sufferer may not be aware of the cause. Even those who have suffered from birth can benefit from hypnosis.

A download hypnosis mp3 Psoriasis treatment allows you to attain a much greater level of control over your condition through the use of powerful metaphor and hypnotic visualization. You will soon find yourself not only feeling much calmer, but noticing increasing improvements in your skin and general health. A transformative metaphor is utilized to help the person activate their own unconscious healing processes and relieve the psoriasis.

Scientific Study on the Effect of Hypnosis on Psoriasis

One study, conducted by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., former professor of medicine at the University of Massachusetts, which was published in the September/October 1999 issue of Psychosomatic Medicine, examined the use of meditation-based relaxation tapes in psoriasis patients undergoing ultraviolet light (UV) treatments. Patients who listened to the tapes during the treatments cleared their skin more quickly (in some cases, twice as fast) than patients who had the light treatment alone.

Hypnotherapy can be of great help to psoriasis patients, according to a new report. Researchers at the Department of Dermatology, The John Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA carried out a three month study into the use of hypnotherapy in adults suffering with stable, chronic, plaque-type psoriasis.

Five patients were given specific positive suggestions about their skin. Six were given neutral suggestions. All the patients showed some benefit, but those who were given hypnotic suggestions specifically directed at their psoriasis enjoyed much better healing. The researchers found that the highly hypnotizable patients received far greater benefit than those who were only moderately hypnotizable.

Although only a small scale study, it suggests that hypnotherapy may be a useful therapeutic treatment for psoriasis Tausk F, Whitmore SE: ‘A Pilot Study of Hypnosis in the Treatment of Patients with Psoriasis.’ Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics 1999;68:221-225 (DOI: 10.1159/000012336)

Further information:

Book: Hartland’s Medical & Dental Hypnosis” by David Waxman

http://www.sich.co.uk/psoriasishistories.htm Psoriasis case study summaries with photos. The treatment included Hypno-analysis, Self-hypnosis, suggestion therapy and NLP techniques.

?Antonia Harrison 2009 is the leading English Hypnotherapist in Belgium and recommends Download Hypnosis Mp3 for immediate, affordable hypnosis Mp3s to improve your life. Professional hypnosis scripts are also available on the same site.

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring, non-contagious skin disorder that is characterized by raised, thickened reddish patches on the skin covered with silvery-white scales that may vary in severity and affect any part of the body, including the nails, scalp and the genital region. There are about 125 million psoriasis sufferers world wide. This makes up 3% of the world’s total population! It is estimated that six to seven million Americans have psoriasis, and each year 150,000 to 260,000 new cases are diagnosed.

The incidence of psoriasis is much lower in dark-skinned West Africans and African-Americans than in light-skinned persons of European origin. Incidence is also low in the Eskimos and the Japanese, and is extremely rare in Native Americans. Genetic, geographic and environmental factors may play a major role in this striking disparity between the races.

Most psoriasis patients undergo intense emotional turmoil while they fight to control their disease which tends to have periods of flare ups and remissions the year around. Though no cure has yet been discovered, observing certain principles in life style and skin care management will provide patients a scope for optimum control of the disease. Following are a few tips that would be useful for the psoriasis sufferers:

1. Maintain desirable health habits. Psoriasis flare ups are common when you are weak or tired. Taking a balanced diet while reducing red meats and alcohol will go a long way in helping the skin to maintain a calm milieu interior. Patients should also drink plenty of water and get at least 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every day. Do moderate exercises at least 3-4 times every week.

Remember that good nutrition, rest and exercise tune up your body and mind and keep up the equilibrium which is essential to reduce the psoriasis flare ups. These healthy habits will also reduce the chances of contracting infection, another important factor in psoriasis aggravations.

I always remind my patients that medications have only about 30% role in the management of psoriasis. Rest of the 70% involves lifestyle adjustments.

2. Quit Smoking. Many studies have pointed out that pustular psoriasis of the palms and soles, a variant of psoriasis, is aggravated by smoking. Patients who quit smoking found their lesions clearing up faster. Research also suggests that severity of psoriasis may be linked to smoking. Hence it is highly imperative that you totally give up smoking if you want to get rid of those itchy, scaly, red patches.

3. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a trigger for psoriasis. There is no doubt about it. Though some dermatologists allow moderate consumption of alcohol in psoriasis, it is my personal observation that even a small quantity of alcohol (like a glass of wine or beer) does cause flare ups in patients. Hence the verdict is – No Alcohol in any forms!

4. Learn to manage your stress. Stress has long been linked to the induction and exacerbation of all types of psoriasis. As mentioned above, psoriasis can be considered a life style disease (much like hypertension or increased blood pressure), a combination of genetic predisposition and psycho- neuro-immuno-hormonal triggers playing a significant role in the causation, initial triggering and maintenance of the disease.

Psoriatics should try to learn and master any one of the stress management techniques like progressive relaxation, biofeedback, yoga etc. Counselling sessions and psoriasis support group participations will be beneficial for those who find it difficult to relax by themselves. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, stress reduction works best when combined with appropriate medical treatment.

5. Avoid aggravating medications. Certain medications taken for other diseases can aggravate or even precipitate psoriasis. Medications that can trigger psoriasis are:

Anti-malarial drugs like chloroquine
Beta-blockers (medication used to treat high blood pressure) and heart medication.
Corticosteroids. Steroids are double edged swords. They can control severe psoriasis quickly, but sudden withdrawal can cause severe flare ups. Personally I avoid prescribing steroids to my patients unless it is absolutely necessary, that is, psoriasis is severely compromising their quality of life. Only after exhausting other treatment modalities do I take up this group of medications and most patients would do well to steer clear of steroids as a first line of treatment for psoriasis. Even topical steroids should be used very carefully and under medical supervision in psoriasis.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like indomethacin worsen psoriasis in most patients.
Lithium , the antipsychotic drug is a known aggravator of psoriasis.
If you have a family history of psoriasis or you are suffering from the disease, inform your physician if you are taking any of the above drugs. Your doctor may be able to substitute alternate medication.

6. Avoid Scratching, rubbing and picking at the lesions. Any injury to the skin in both involved and uninvolved areas can produce new psoriasis lesions by irritating the basal layer of the skin and switching on the spurting action of the epidermal cells. Research shows that about 50% of people with psoriasis experience the ‘Koebner phenomenon’ – developing a psoriatic lesion at the site of a skin injury. Hence patients should carefully avoid any direct injury to the skin. Scrubbing to remove the scales is a mistake, as this can worsen the disease.

7. Treat any infectious foci at the earliest. Studies show that some infections can trigger psoriasis. Streptococcal throat infections often precedes an outbreak of guttate psoriasis(small drop like lesions), especially in children. Inverse or flexural psoriasis is frequently aggravated by a candidal infection in the folds. Severe generalized psoriasis recalcitrant to treatment is seen in immunodeficient conditions like HIV infection. Treating the infection lessens or clears the psoriasis in most cases. Also look for signs of any infectious foci in your mouth(dental caries), throat(tonsillitis), sinusitis, gall bladder(cholecystitis), urinary bladder(cystitis) etc. Finding and treating these infections could give much better control over your psoriasis status.

8. Treat the disease before it worsens. Most effective way to stop the itching and appearance of new lesions in psoriasis is to treat the psoriasis properly as soon as the lesions appear. Consult your dermatologist at the earliest sign of a break out.

9. Take good care of your skin. Keeping the skin moist and supple is of paramount importance in psoriasis. Any dryness will increase the scaling, flaking and itching which will further aggravate the condition.

Soak in a luke-warm oatmeal bath. This relieves itching and hydrates the skin layers.

Pat your skin dry; do not rub or scrub. See tip number 6 above. Developing a habit of gently patting your skin dry is advisable.

Apply emollients and moisturizers. Emollients soften the skin. Moisturizers lock in the skin’s own moisture to prevent dryness and cracking. One of the best ways to lock in moisture is to apply moisturizer after bathing. Regular use of moisturizers can help prevent the itch and pain of dry skin and reduce scaling and inflammation. A urea containing lotion is preferred during the day and a cream or ointment(if you don’t mind a little messiness) at night to maintain the hydration of the epidermal layers.

Use sunscreen. Patients using retinoids should apply sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before going outdoors and wear protective clothing. Sun exposure can cause sunburn, which can in turn trigger psoriasis. But complete avoidance of sun can cause more harm than good. A moderate supply of UV rays is indeed good for clearing up of the psoriatic lesions!

Wear cotton clothing .Synthetics will irritate and heat up the skin and worsen psoriasis and are best avoided. If you have to wear them, wear thick cotton undergarments beneath.

Look out for winter worsening: Cold, dry weather worsens psoriasis. Emollient creams and ointments should be used copiously during winter months. Before application of the moisturizer, remember to moist the skin with luke warm water. The use of humidifiers, both at home and work, can add moisture to the air in winter months and help in avoiding exacerbations. Remember that air-conditioning can dry out the skin and aggravate psoriasis just like winter! Keeping the AC to minimum required coolness and regular application of moisturizing creams can overcome this problem.

10. Learn to live with Psoriasis. While there is no permanent cure, psoriasis can be successfully managed so that one experiences more good days than bad. Numerous treatment options are available, and recent advances are revolutionizing the management and care of psoriasis. No single treatment will be effective for all patients. Hence a dermatologist will consider a patient’s overall health, age, lifestyle, and the severity of the psoriasis and then decide on a treatment option that will achieve maximum effectiveness.

Psoriasis patients will do well to keep a positive mental attitude towards life and its happenings. Remember, any negative signal from the mind is an instant trigger for psoriasis!

Psoriasis, though quite a common disease, has not received the attention it deserves from the health authorities in most countries. As a result, the much needed awareness campaigns and funding of research projects have been lagging behind for decades. It was in this context that in 2004 the first World Psoriasis day was launched. Conceived by patients for patients, World Psoriasis Day is a truly global event that sets out to give an international voice to the 125 million psoriasis sufferers.

Visit http://www.worldpsoriasisday.com to learn more about the World Psoriasis Day on October 29th. There, you can also sign a petition calling on the World Health Organization to recognize psoriasis as a serious disease worth more attention and research projects than is presently available. This will give a boost to the Psoriasis Support Groups and will also bring in more resources to the world wide psoriasis research scenario.

Dr.Hanish Babu, MD is a Dermato-Venereologist, author, stress management trainer and a netpreneur. He has recently released a stress management package “10 Days to Stress Free Life”.

To subscribe to his Less Stress News Letter, go to: http://www.lesstress.net

For Skin Care Tips, go to: http://www.skin-care-tips-from-dermatologist.com

Psoriasis is uncontrolled skin-cell growth caused by an overreaction of the immune system, which then causes skin inflammation and skin flaking. Where psoriasis is not present, new skin cells grow and are shed within about 4 weeks. Skin cells affected by psoriasis, grow much faster and are not shed like healthy skin cells. The result is a build up of excess skin.

In most cases psoriasis is confined to a few spots and seems to affect many people on the sides or at the back of the head. In more severe cases people can experience arthritic symptoms known as psoriatic arthritis. People with this type of psoriasis commonly complain of swollen, painful joints. Severe psoriasis can sometimes cause a loss of finger and toe nails as a result of dead skin build up pushing the nail out of the nail bed.

Psoriasis is a stubborn and difficult skin condition to treat but Psoriasis is non-contagious. Psoriasis may be hereditary, as it does run in some families. 60% of psoriasis sufferers have a relative with the condition. However, researchers are not yet sure of exactly how it is passed through family members.

Understanding psoriasis natural treatment is crucial for lasting psoriasis relief. It can significantly help psoriasis natural treatment if sufferers identify their individual triggers and learn the effects of stress and nervous tension on psoriasis. Psoriasis symptoms can come and go, even without psoriasis treatment

Once a person has psoriasis, there are certain conditions that trigger flare-ups. Triggers that cause psoriasis include:

? Infections

? Stress

? Changes in climate and weather conditions

? Certain medications, such as beta-blockers, depression drugs.

Psoriasis natural treatment largely consists of managing and controlling flare-ups by reducing them through lifestyle changes. It is important that a person wanting psoriasis relief takes daily precautions:

? Maintain a healthy diet and weight

? Avoid stress as possible

? Keep a strong immune system

? Avoid cigarette smoking

? Avoid alcohol consumption

? Avoid excessive exposure to the sun (avoid sunburns)

? Avoid skin injuries, especially surrounding the finger- and toenails

? Avoid medications

Irritated Skin patches, during a flare-up, are often itchy and uncomfortable. For psoriasis relief it is important not to scratch the irritated skin, as this causes further injury. For psoriasis treatment moisturise and soften the skin with a natural psoriasis cream and psoriasis shampoo and never forcefully tear skin patches away.

Throughout history, people have relied on Aloe Vera to help heal a wide range of human ailments, particularly skin problems such as drying, flaking, itching, cracking and fungal conditions. Organic Aloe Vera is a recommended psoriasis natural treatment Aloe Vera natural psoriasis cream and psoriasis shampoo encourage water retention in dry skin tissue, rids dead skin cells, and stimulate healthy skin growth.

Aloe Vera is a mild anaesthetic, antibacterial & antifungal, containing anti-inflammatory fatty acids. These components have shown to give psoriasis relief by relieving itching, swelling, redness and pain. Aloe Vera penetrates rapidly and deeply, infusing dry skin with desperately needed moisture. It is cooling, soothing and moisturising and it stimulates the growth of new cells with natural steroids, enzymes, nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids

The link below this article will provide you with a range of psoriasis natural treatment products, psoriasis cream and psoriasis shampoo for lasting psoriasis relief.

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What is Scalp psoriasis?

As the term suggests, scalp psoriasis is psoriasis involving the scalp. It is common and approximately half of all people with psoriasis have it on their scalp. The reason it deserves special mention is that it can be particularly difficult to treat and usually requires specifically formulated medicines.

Psoriasis in the scalp forms in the same way as in other parts of the body but the affect of the hair is to trap the scale and stop it being rubbed away as it is, for instance, with psoriasis on the elbow. The result is that the scale can quickly build up causing a thicker plaque which becomes more difficult to treat. This difficulty is compounded by the hair which also acts as a physical barrier obstructing the application of creams and ointments to the affected skin.

The net result can be stubborn thick scaly plaques which require specifically formulated scalp treatments.

What are the symptoms?

Scalp psoriasis causes redness and scaliness which may also involve the hairline, the forehead, behind the ears and the back of the neck. It can range from very mild with slight fine scaling to very severe crusted thick scaling covering the entire scalp which can in some cases cause hair loss during the flare, but will normally grow back.

A correct diagnosis of scalp psoriasis is essential in treating the condition as there are other skin disorders which may look similar such as seborrhoeic dermatitis. The difference being that scalp psoriasis scales appear fine with a silvery colour, whilst seborrhoeic dermatitis scales often are yellowish and greasy. One of the most frustrating symptoms is the constant shower of scale on to your collar and shoulders.

What is the treatment?

It should be mentioned that children can get scalp psoriasis too. Treatments will be much the same as used for adults.

There are many treatment options that can help scalp psoriasis and they all need to be used regularly. Treatments can be time consuming and it is important to select one that fits in with your lifestyle. On rare occasions scalp psoriasis has been known to have spontaneous remissions but can also remain on the scalp for lengthy periods of time

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance

A principal source of information on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Here is a list of topical treatments that you may find useful for scalp psoriasis:

Tar Products

Tar shampoos, gels, ointments and creams are commonly used to treat scalp psoriasis. They may be combined with other medications such as salicylic acid, to help remove scale, or coconut oil, to moisturise the skin. Tar is effective but it can stain clothing and jewellery and has a strong smell. As a result, some people dislike using it. The precise instructions for use will depend on the formulation of the product but tar products are usually massaged into the scalp, left in contact for a period of time, and then rinsed off. Clothes and bedding can be protected from staining by wearing a shower cap during the contact period.

Topical Steroids

These scalp products are usually formulated as liquids, gels, oils, foams, sprays or shampoo. They range from mild to very strong potency. They should not be used for long periods of time. Ideally, they should be used regularly for a few weeks to bring the psoriasis under control, and then gradually phased out, giving way to maintenance with a coal tar shampoo. Abrupt stopping of steroids can result in a rebound or worsening of psoriasis. It is not advisable to use steroid preparations on your face, other areas of sensitive skin such as under the breast and genitals and around the eyes, unless directed by your doctor. Most topical steroid medications are designed specifically for treating scalp psoriasis. These formulations are usually water and alcohol based which make them easier to wash out after treatment.

You can become resistant to some topical steroids used in the treatment of scalp psoriasis. If this happens consult your doctor for alternative medications. It should also be noted that it can take several months before such topical steroid medications will work again for skin that has become resistant.

Vitamin D Analogues

Vitamin D analogues are available in water and oil – based scalp formulations. They are usually applied once or twice a day and left in contact with the scalp. They do not smell or stain clothing, and are relatively easy to use. They can be used to bring the scalp psoriasis under control and maintain that control. Such medications should be confined to the scalp region only as it can irritate unaffected skin particularly the face. It may be advisable if you think you are prone to sensitivities to test a small patch before applying it to the entire scalp. Avoid contact with the eyes.

Vitamin A Derivative (topical retinoids)

These can be applied as creams or gels for the treatment of psoriasis and can be used in the treatment of scalp psoriasis too. These medications may be less irritating for the people with dry or sensitive skin. To avoid the drying out of skin too much and to reduce irritation, applying a moisturiser 30 minutes before these are used may help. These medications can be used on the face but should never be applied around the eye region and treated skin should not be covered.

Antimicrobial Treatment

If bacterial or yeast infections are present scalp psoriasis can become worse. A crusting scalp together with scaling and/or lymph nodes in the neck are swollen, this may indicate to your doctor that antimicrobial treatment will be necessary as there is infection present.

Mild scalp psoriasis can respond well to treatment with anti fungal shampoos that will help to reduce the yeast infection. Anti fungal shampoos may have to be used once or twice a week thereafter to maintain results.

Other things affecting the scalp

These can include scalp acne, infestations, fungal infections and alopecia. Make sure you get a correct diagnosis before starting any treatments. your doctor or healthcare provider will provide appropriate advice.

Ultra violet light

Successful outcome for using UV light treatments can be variable on the scalp because the hair blocks UV light from penetrating the scalp. It works best on shaved heads. Natural sunlight may also help again if your head is shaved or very thin. It is therefore not surprising that this is not a first line treatment.

Dithranol

Dithranol creams are effective in scalp psoriasis but like coal tar can be difficult to use. Dithranol is usually applied to the scaly plaques and left in contact for up to 30 minutes before being rinsed out. It needs to be applied with great care as it can irritate and cause purple staining of blonde or red hair. Dithranol can burn non affected skin. Lipid stabilised Dithranol (Micanol), if used correctly, can reduce staining. It should also be noted that dithranol will stain clothing and baths, showers and wash basins. Extra attention is needed.

Medicated Shampoos

There are many coal tar and non coal tar medicated shampoos for treating scalp psoriasis at your local chemist. For further advice ask your pharmacist who may be able to give you further guidance. You should also bear in mind that medicated shampoos are designed for the scalp not the hair so the use of a regular shampoo and conditioner after your scalp treatments will reduce the smell of any unpleasant medicated shampoo and leave your hair shiny and manageable.

Scalp psoriasis can get worse if it becomes infected with bacteria or yeasts and sometimes medicated shampoos with antifungal medicines can be useful in reducing the plaques.

The choice of which of these treatments is best for you is a personal one. It is a good idea to shop around and try different treatment options. In this way you can discover which one suits you best.

Some Useful Tips

Scalp psoriasis may progress down onto the forehead, neck and around the ears. These areas can be treated with the same products you use for your scalp only if indicated to use on such areas. Be careful about your face. Strong steroids should not be used on the face and dithranol can stain and burn facial skin. Avoid getting medication in the eyes.

A lot of product treatments will contain salicylic acid, known as a keratolytic. This ingredient aims to loosen psoriasis scales so they can be washed away more easily. This ingredient will be contained in both OTC and prescription products mostly found in shampoos and soaps. It should be noted that treatment with high concentrations of this ingredient can cause irritation and used over large areas of skin the body may absorb it leading to the weakening of hair shafts, causing them to break and leading to temporary hair loss. Hair should return to normal after stopping the treatment. Such products may be easier to apply at night and the head covered with a shower cap to avoid messiness and more convenient as they can be time consuming at the beginning of the day before going to work.

Softening and loosening thick scale makes it easier for topical medications to penetrate plaques and clear them. Soaking the scalp in warm water can help loosen scales which can then be removed using a comb. But be gentle – do not break the skin.

Round or fine tooth combs or brushes are generally used to remove psoriasis scales. Comb the scalp gently with a light circular motion holding the comb flat against the scalp. Loosen the scale gently then you can shampoo to flush the scale from the scalp and out of the hair. A hairdryer can be used to blow additional scales away from the scalp and the hair. Do not remove scales too fiercely as this can break the skin leading to infection. The Koebner response can occur to damaged psoriasis skin, this can also occur if you scratch or scrape your scalp roughly. If any treatments you use aggravate your psoriasis and scalp always consult your doctor. Care should be taken when removing the scales and applying topical medications so as to avoid the Koebner response.

Never use a shower cap or other occlusion method when using prescription scalp medications unless specified by your doctor.

Scalp Itch – As mentioned refraining from scratching and picking of psoriatic scales will reduce infection and the Koebner response. Over the counter medicated shampoos can help in alleviating itching. Please speak to your pharmacist about this.

Combination Medications – The treatment of psoriasis should be tailor made to each person. A doctor may try various combinations of medications before finding what works for you. Good communication between you and your doctor and good compliance will ensure optimum results for you. Always be aware that when medications are combined they may activate adverse reactions. By being aware of this and consulting your doctor if you are unsure will reduce the likelihood of further discomforts.

Another alternative is to soften and loosen the scales is to use oils, lotions, creams or ointments applied to a damp scalp providing they do not cause you irritation. To add to their effectiveness a hot towel placed around the head to act as an occlusion will also help loosen and soften the scales. The heating of olive oil and application to the scalp and wrapping your head in a towel for a long period of time may also help or to speed the process up applying the olive oil and then sitting under a hairdryer. Be careful not to burn the scalp with too much intensive heat.

If you are prone or suffer from dry hair conditioners and cream rinses may help to minimise and moisturise the hair and scalp. There is no evidence to suggest the use of hair dyes, hair sprays or perms will affect your scalp, however please advise your hairdresser before embarking on any treatments so that they can apply patch tests to see if any of their products will irritate your scalp or psoriasis lesions. They may be able to use gentler products. If you have the need to use head lice shampoo preparations it is unlikely you will have a reaction but they can be irritating and great care should be taken not to get the solution into open cuts or lesions or extensively scratched skin.

Hair Matters

It can be highly embarrassing for you finding or going to a new hairdresser or barber. If they are reputable and understanding they should have a knowledge of conditions such as scalp psoriasis and therefore will be able to best advise you on styles, colourings and hair products. It is always worth making general enquiries of friends and relatives about local hairdressers or contacting the Hairdressers’ Council for further advice that may be useful. Some hairdressers are also happy to visit your home if you would prefer not to go to a salon.

When applying scalp products part the hair and hold it in place while you drip the oil or lotion directly onto your scalp. Repeat this process until the whole of the affected area has been treated. Conditioners and cream rinses to help combat dry hair can be used after you have completed using your medication. Hair dyes and sprays do not usually irritate the scalp in scalp psoriasis. However, it may be sensible to test a cosmetic product on a small area of your scalp before committing to it.

This information has been prepared by the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance and should not be used as a replacement for advice from your healthcare professionals. Always consult a doctor too. Bear in mind however, that the treatments used should never be worse than the psoriasis itself. If this is the case consult your doctor for further advice or alternative treatment options.

It is also important to realise that good patient compliance and experimentation to find an effective treatment plan which may include treatments such as topical medications and ultra violet UV light can often be combined and rotated depending on psoriasis resistance to repeated medicinal use.

With all treatments it can take at least eight weeks until you get adequate control of the plaques. Once you have achieved this it is important to maintain any improvement, and this can usually be done with regular use of a tar shampoo.

You are strongly advised to speak to your doctor or health care provider if you think you are affected by any conditions or items mentioned in this article.

This article was written by Helen E Mitchell on behalf of PAPAA, Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.