Ways To Treat Psoriasis At Home
Psoriasis is a recurring autoimmune disorder characterized by red, flaky patches on the skin.
Even though it affects your skin, psoriasis actually begins deep inside your body in your immune system.
It comes from your T cells, a type of white blood cell. T cells are designed to protect the body from infection and disease. When these cells mistakenly become active and set off other immune responses, it can lead to psoriasis symptoms.
Even though theres no cure, many treatments exist to ease the symptoms of psoriasis. Here are 12 ways to manage mild symptoms at home.
What About Those Psoriasis Scales On Face And Forehead
Natural healing takes time. Results dont come over night. You would start seeing some results in 4-6 weeks. Then, gradually, these psoriasis patches would start getting thinner and then they would disappear. It is a long term commitment.
Hence, it is not a bad idea to discuss some safe and effective quick-fix ideas to minimize psoriasis symptoms on your face.
Your face is quite sensitive and facial skin is thinner than other body parts. Applying steroids based topical creams on your facial skin is not a good idea at all. Most of these pharma based creams have coal tar and salicylic acid as chief ingredients. Coal tar is a by-product of coal processing-when coal is converted into coal gas. It doesnt give me a good feeling if I have to use something on my face which is obtained by burning of coal.
Salicylic acid is no less. Salicylic acid is extensively used as a stain remover. Some people use salicylic acid to remove rust also. So, how can you expect mercy from these two hardcore chemicals if we apply them regularly on your face. These chemicals work harshly to rub off the psoriasis scales from your skin without bothering for the natural beauty of your skin.
Let us opt for safe and effective natural alternatives!!
A very effective way to manage Facial Psoriasis is:
It Can Affect The Scalp Hairline Forehead Back Of The Neck And Skin Around The Ears
Did You Know?
Symptoms may include fine scaling that looks like dandruff, or appear as thick, crusted plaques that cover the entire scalp. Other skin disorders, such as seborrheic dermatitis, may resemble psoriasis. However, scalp psoriasis appears powdery with a silvery sheen, while seborrheic dermatitis looks yellowish and greasy. Scalp psoriasis is common in patients of color, but treating it can be particularly tough due to the hair type.
Scalp psoriasis may be an indicator of psoriatic arthritis , as many people have both. If you think you have scalp psoriasis, see a dermatologist to diagnose scalp psoriasis and visit a rheumatologist to screen for psoriatic arthritis.
No matter how severe your scalp psoriasis is, there are options for treating the itching and flakes â from over-the-counter shampoos and topicals to light therapy, oral treatments and biologics.
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What Are The Most Common Scalp Psoriasis Symptoms
Youre probably wondering, What does scalp psoriasis looks like? Generally, you might notice flaking or scaly patches of raised skin on your scalp first, Dr. Bhutani says. These patches can also be inflamed, thick, and swollen6, and sometimes extend to the forehead, the back of the neck, or behind the ears. On light skin tones, psoriasis plaques on the scalp typically appear pink or red with silvery scales. For people with dark skin, these lesions may range in color and appear salmon-y pink, silvery white, violet, or brown, depending on your specific skin tone7.
But the signs of scalp psoriasis go far beyond the physical effects. Scalp psoriasis, honestly, causes some of the largest impact on quality of life, Dr. Bhutani says. Thats because severe symptoms can interrupt sleep, create feelings of anxiety, and hurt a persons self-esteem, especially if the scalp psoriasis plaques are clearly visible.
In addition to plaques, other scalp psoriasis symptoms include6:
- An extremely itchy scalp that can be distracting
- A burning sensation or soreness on your scalp
- Cracked and/or bleeding skin from scratching too much or from having a dry scalp
- Temporary hair loss if you excessively touch your scalp or attempt to pick off your scales, which can forcibly remove hair follicles
Heal Psoriasis From Inside
Psoriasis is an auto-immune illness where your faulty immune system causes rapid growth of skin cells resulting in thick psoriasis patches on various parts of the body.
An auto-immune condition like psoriasis triggers when the level of toxins in your body goes out of control slashing the safety limit. When you eat food, your digestive system process that food to get energy and various vital nutrients to sustain a healthy life. After getting these stuffs, it is the responsibility of your liver and kidney to flush off the remaining food wastes from your body in the form of stool and urine. This is how your body works.
If due to any reason, this equilibrium gets disturbed- either you start injecting more toxins or your liver becomes incapable to remove the toxins-then these toxins would pile up. This increased level of toxins would seep through the pores of the intestinal walls to enter into the bloodstream. With blood circulation, these toxins would reach every part of your body and would start accumulating in body cells. Your impaired liver would seek help from skin. Your skin is the largest body organ and after liver and kidney, it is the third most important organ responsible for elimination of toxins from the body. Your skin would facilitate elimination of these accumulated body toxins from your body in the form of psoriasis scales.
So, to heal psoriasis, first of all, we have to identify the factors that can increase body toxins:
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Psoriasis Skin Flakes: What Are They
Flakes in psoriasis are the dead cells at the outer layer of the skin that are being shed, saysMitchell Bressack, MD, a dermatologist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago who specializes in treating psoriasis. The outer layer of the skin normally turns over every 28 days, which means that it takes about a month for the bottom layer of cells to make their way to the top.
In people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, however, the cells at the base of the epidermis multiply more rapidly than normal and they progress from the base of the epidermis to the surface more rapidly than normal, so theres an increase in the number of dead cells being shed from the surface of the skin on a daily basis, Dr. Bressack says. This appears as scales, which can flake off in large pieces.
Deal With Scalp Psoriasis Part 3
I have psoriasis on my ear and scalp. This is my best way to Deal with Scalp Psoriasis. A friend told me last wk about African Black soap so off I go to purchase yet another product BUT as of rt now my scalp is clear!!!! Ive washed my hair w it 3 times!!!! My scalp feels human again!!! I also purchased Hollywood Beauty Tea tree oil skin and scalp treatment. I oil my ears dwn w it in the morning and at night and I feel and look normal again!!! Im praying this keeps working!!!! My family is also amazed at how this worked so fast or even that it worked at all
The soap Ive already taken out of pkg and have it in a ziplock bag but u cant miss it. Its a black bar of soap that says African Black soap and as of this morning Im still clear and still praying this keeps working!! I got these products on the African American product isle at my local Walmart.
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Turn Up With Turmeric
Another noted anti-inflammatory and skin soother, a daily turmeric supplement can help treat psoriasis .
If youd rather not take a turmeric pill, you can add the spice directly to your food. Whether you enjoy a turmeric latte or a delicious curry, there are lots of turmeric recipes to try to help your skin.
Try A Moisturizer With A Keratolytic Ingredient
For particularly thick plaques, Dr. Newsom suggests applying a lotion that contains a keratolytic, or a softening and peeling agent, like salicylic acid, lactic acid, or urea. That will help dissolve some of the scales. For instance, check out CeraVe Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream, $19, or Gold Bond Ultimate Psoriasis Relief Cream, $8.
However, note these ingredients, particularly salicylic acid, can irritate the skin, exacerbate dryness, and in extreme cases be toxic. So be sure to use keratolytic moisturizers as directed and only on the thickest plaques rather than across large swaths of skin.
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Treatment For Scalp Psoriasis
Your dermatologist can treat mild scalp psoriasis with topical medications. For more stubborn cases, oral or injectable treatments are also effective but may have side effects including increased infections.
At UCLA Dermatology, our specialists may recommend one or more of the following:
- Topical medications applied to the scalp, such as tar shampoos and steroid sprays, creams and solutions
- Medicated shampoos
How To Manage Psoriasis On Face And Forehead
Among all the people dealing with psoriasis, scalp is the most commonly affected body part. But, the situation becomes worse when the psoriasis scales go beyond scalp and spread on your forehead and other parts of your face. In this article, we would discuss about how to manage psoriasis on face and forehead. Psoriasis is not life threatening, but it can make you very uncomfortable due to high degree of skin dryness and inflammation associated with it. Red colored patches covered with silvery white psoriasis scales on various parts of your body can make you highly conscious about your physical appearance when you are facing the outer world. Psoriasis on face and forehead along with the scalp is more traumatic than other parts of the body which are less visible.
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Stress Management Reduces Psoriasis Flares
Best for: All psoriasis
Why it works: Psychosocial stress may alter your body so that a psoriasis flare is more likely, according to a report published in November 2013 in the British Journal of Dermatology. People cant neglect stress management, Menter says. He recommends meditation, counseling, or a combination. Stress management or therapy could help you cope better with a flare and find ways to live with the stress of scalp psoriasis.
Exercise both increases the bodys production of endorphins and reduces levels of the bodys stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. So more exercise may prove helpful for overall stress and for fewer and less-severe flares.
Some people with psoriasis experience stress relief through acupuncture or yoga. Connecting with others who have the disease through support groups might also help in dealing with issues of stress. Ask your doctor or check with your local hospital to find a group. Or consider connecting with others online. The National Psoriasis Foundation sponsors an online support community where people affected by psoriasis can connect, exchange information, or meet others.
Dandruff Vs Psoriasis Flakes
While psoriasis flakes arent actually different than dandruff , in many ways they can be more distressing, as they tend to be more intense, says Dr. Bressack. Some patients experience severe shedding of large flakes on their scalp or the areas of their body where their psoriasis flares. Flakes are, however, usually less noticeable on the body than the scalp, he says.
What causes skin to flake in dandruff versus in psoriasis is very different. Psoriasis flakes are the result of your overactive immune system speeding up the rate at which your skin cells grow, causing skin cell buildup or plaques that then may flake off. Garden-variety dandruff, on the other hand, can occur for a number of reasons, including skin that is too dry or oily, a fungal infection, or sensitivity to hair care products.
Treating psoriasis flakes with dandruff-oriented products alone may not work. You need medications that address the root cause of psoriasis with the appropriate topical, biologic, or systemic treatments.
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Is It Scalp Psoriasis Or Dandruff Heres How To Tell The Difference
Your scalp itches, and it’s driving you to distraction, to say nothing of the flakes that seem to fall like snow whenever you give in to the urge to scratch. What gives? There are many reasons that your scalp may itch, including dandruff and scalp psoriasis.
“Knowing what is causing the itching and flaking absolutely matters when it comes to effectively treating your symptoms,” says Adam Friedman, MD, professor and chair of dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C.
Here’s everything you need to know when it comes to scalp psoriasis vs. dandruff, including symptoms, treatment options, and prevention tips.
Tips For Managing A Psoriasis Flare
When youre in the middle of a psoriasis flare-up, you just want something that will relieve the itchiness that comes with those thick, red, scaly patches of skinand you want it fast.
Maybe your psoriasis decided to flare after a period of stress or illness. But sometimes a flare arrives for no discernible reason at all. No matter what brought it on, a flare-up doesnt have to be a catastrophe. With a little preparation, you can manage it relatively easily.
Here, dermatologists share some of the best strategies for dealing with your next psoriasis flare.
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Topical Steroids Reduce Psoriasis Inflammation
Best for: Mild to moderate psoriasis
Why it works: Topical steroids work by reducing the inflammation thats driving the skin changes seen in psoriasis, Daveluy says. This type of treatment for scalp psoriasis is likely to be a liquid instead of a cream. When your hair is wet, create a part and apply a small amount. Then create a new part right next to it, and apply again, and keep doing this until your whole scalp has been treated, he says. A shower cap may also be worn to keep the product from staining pillowcases.
Topical steroids can be bought or prescribed at different strengths, depending on your symptoms. Some people may also need steroid injections for short-term treatments.
Dont Scratch That Itch
Refrain from rubbing or scrubbing your scalp when shampooing, as tempting as it may be to dig into those itchy spots. Scratching induces trauma which in turn induces psoriasis, a process known as Koebnerization, Bagel explains.
If youre finding it hard not to scratch, try applying a dab of hydrocortisone, a mild corticosteroid, to itchy spots, to help decrease itching and inflammation, the NPF says. Start with the least powerful topical steroid that works for you, and use it just three to four times a week.
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Ways To Treat Psoriasis Naturally
Guest writer for Wake Up World
Psoriasis is a common, chronic relapsing/remitting immune-mediated skin condition believed to be caused by an overload of toxicity through diet, some medications or our environment. It is characterized by red or white scaly patches and plaques, which usually itch. The condition affects up to five percent of the general population.
The causes of psoriasis are not fully understood, but a build up of toxins is known to be strongly correlated with most cases, especially for plaque psoriasis which is the most common type.
Not only are psoriasis flare-ups aggravating, but they make many people with the condition so self-conscious about their appearance that theyre reluctant to go out in public without ample covering. Probably most frustrating of all is that theres no magic formula to cure the condition indefinitely. You have to learn how to deal with flare-ups as they come, and take good care of yourself and your skin.
The good news is that is can be reversed through many different natural remedies, most of which should resolve the symptoms before ever requiring medication. Here are 12 effective natural remedies most found in your kitchen to help treat psoriasis discomfort, plus some simple everyday changes you can make to help prevent outbreaks.
Coconut Oil For Psoriasis
Coconut oil isnt considered an essential oil. But it has anti-inflammatory properties that may help ease psoriasis pain. Its widely regarded as a gentle ingredient. Because of this, its often recommended as a treatment for scalp psoriasis. The oil moisturizes the skin and scales.
When used alone, coconut oil doesnt typically cause any side effects. The oil is routinely used as a cooking ingredient and is safe for consumption. It can be taken internally or applied externally with few, if any, interactions. Coconut oil is often used as a carrier oil for essential oils. Do not consume coconut oil if there are any essential oils added.
You can use coconut oil in several ways. Try ingesting up to two tablespoons of virgin coconut oil daily. The lauric acid substance inside may block bacteria and viruses from entering your body. You can also apply virgin coconut oil liberally to the affected areas. It may be more effective if you put it on your skin directly after bathing.
If you have pain, itching, or other unusual symptoms after using coconut oil, stop using it and speak with your doctor. Learn more about coconut oil and psoriasis.
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The Mental Burden Of Skin Flakes In Psoriasis And Psoriatic Arthritis
You dont need a medical study to tell you that scaling and flaking is bothersome, but the evidence exists nonetheless: 65 percent of patients rank flaking, peeling, and shedding on their body as one of the top three most distressing symptoms they experience, per research published in The Journal of Dermatological Treatment.
The problem with any skin disease is that its on the outside. You have to deal with how the world is interacting with you and your skin disease. It can cause a lot of pain and suffering, says Amy Wechsler, MD, who is board-certified in both dermatology and psychiatry and author of the book The Mind-Beauty Connection. For instance, if psoriasis flakes are on your hands, you may be worried about shaking hands in work or social settings to say hello.
The challenge then becomes controlling and responding to flares, cleaning up flakes, and explaining them to friends, colleagues, and loved ones. Generally, the more widespread the disease, or the more difficult it is to cover up, the greater the effect it has on quality of life, says Dr. Bressack.