What About Herbal Remedies
Again there are numerous products on the market and these should be used with caution and under strict supervision of your doctor or healthcare professional as these too, taken in combination with any other medications may have adverse side effects causing unnecessary discomfort. One in particular is St John’s Wort which can in some cases cause increased sensitivity to light which can or may cause problems for some people undergoing for their psoriasis. Always advise your doctor or healthcare professional on any herbal or dietary supplements that you are taking or may wish to take as this may be a factor in future prescribing for your condition.
Foods High In Added Sugar
Added sugars in soda, fruit juices, candy, baked goods and other sweets are different from natural sugars in food such as fruit. Our bodies produce insulin to process sugar, but too much added sugar forces our bodies to store that extra energy in fat cells and inflame the fat tissue. Foods with lots of added sugars can also lead to increased levels of inflammatory proteins called cytokines. Some studies suggest that artificial sweeteners such as aspartame may also lead to chronic inflammation.
Medical Treatment Topical Agents
The first line of treatment for psoriasis includes topical medications applied to your skin. The main topical treatments are corticosteroids , vitamin D-3 derivatives, coal tar, anthralin, and retinoids. These drugs may lose potency over time, so often they are rotated or combined. Ask your doctor before combining medications, as some drugs should not be combined.
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When To Call Your Doctor
There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but there *are* ways to treat and manage its symptoms.
While some cases of psoriasis are minimal, others can be more severe. No matter what level youre at, seeking treatment can prevent recurring flares or worsening symptoms.
Talk with your doctor or dermatologist if you have questions or think you might have psoriasis. They can provide you with a diagnosis and discuss treatment options.
You should also talk with your doc ASAP if you experience:
If You Have Psoriasis There Is Hope
I know this is not a lot of fun to talk about, but bear with me here. My hope is that the information here can help you to reduce or eliminate your chronic psoriasis symptoms!
Now, just to let you know the whole storyâ¦
In some rare cases psoriasis can be a life threatening condition. There are two forms of psoriasis that affect the whole body and require immediate medical attention.
Generalized pustular psoriasis includes not only a severe, bright red psoriasis rash but fever, chills, exhaustion, rapid pulse and other symptoms.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis causes a severe, painful, itchy red rash and shedding of the skin. This causes the skin to lose its natural protective effects and so other symptoms develop such as a fluctuating body temperature.
Donât worry the more severe cases of psoriasis are very rare, and CAN be treated medically.
What does psoriasis look like? Psoriasis affects people of all ages worldwide though it is more common among lighter skinned people. It is a chronic skin condition which sometimes worsens in colder weather.
In some cases psoriasis can affect the joints of the body. This is called psoriatic arthritis and generally will appear in patients who are 30 to 40 years old.
Psoriasis can also appear on the nails as pits or yellow colored separations of the nail.
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Home Treatment For Psoriasis
There are some home remedies that may help minimize outbreaks or reduce symptoms of psoriasis:
- Exposure to sunlight.
- Apply moisturizers after bathing to keep skin soft.
- Avoid irritating cosmetics or soaps.
- Do not scratch to the point you cause bleeding or excessive irritation.
- Over-the-counter cortisone creams can reduce itching of mild psoriasis.
A dermatologist may prescribe an ultraviolet B unit and instruct the patient on home use.
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Plaque Psoriasis: Red Bumps And Silvery Scales
Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the chronic skin condition, affecting about 80 percent of people with psoriasis. Usually starting as small red bumps on the skin, plaque psoriasis develops into red patches with a silvery, scaly coating these raised patches are called plaques. Plaques usually show up on elbows, knees, and the lower back, and they can last for months or even years without treatment.
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Ringworm: Fungal Infections Of The Skin And Nails
Tinea is a type of fungal infection that resembles some symptoms of psoriasis. Psoriasis can cause the thick fingernails symptomatic of fungal nail infections, and both can cause red, itchy skin rashes. When tinea grows on your skin, it can cause a scaly, red skin rash that clears in the middle, called ringworm . Fungal infections of the skin and nails can be hard to treat. Antifungal medications work, but you may need to take them for a long time.
Psoriasis And Your Genes
Psoriasis is often diagnosed in people ages 15 to 35, but it can affect anyone regardless of age, including children. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, about one-third of the people who get psoriasis are under age 20, and around 20,000 new diagnoses every year are children under the age of 10.
Genetics becomes important when one parent has psoriasis. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, having a parent with the condition gives you a 28% chance of having psoriasis. If both of your parents have the condition, your risk jumps to 65%.
Researchers believe that mutated genes, in combination with environmental triggers, must interact to cause a person to develop psoriasis.
While rare, it is possible to get psoriasis without a family history, but the chance applies to a small group. In this case, a person has spontaneous gene mutations that can lead to psoriasis when triggered by environmental factors.
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Foods Containing Refined Carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates are highly processed . Theyve been stripped of fiber and whole grains and tend to contain a lot of sugar, which can cause your blood sugar to spike. Refined carbohydrates also increase advanced glycation end products, which are substances in your blood that can lead to inflammation.
Eczema: Red Itchy Irritated Skin
Like psoriasis, eczema is a chronic skin condition that often causes intense itching. Scratching causes redness and inflammation of the skin, leading to a worsening of the eczema. Scratching can also cause a secondary bacterial infection. The most common type of eczema is caused by a reaction to irritants like detergents, soaps, or household cleansers. So if you have eczema, you should be careful to use mild soap and regularly moisturize your sensitive skin. Your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream or other medications if eczema is severe.
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- How long does treatment last?
- Will I have to be on medicine for the rest of my life?
- Should I make any changes to my skin care routine?
- Are there any skin products or foods that I should avoid?
- If symptoms get worse, when should I call the doctor?
- If I have psoriasis, will my children get it?
- Is there a support group that you recommend?
Protecting Your Skin When Its Cool Outside
Southern California may not be facing the extreme deep freeze of our friends in the Midwest, but even our cooler weather can leave skin dry, itchy, red, and raw. We wanted to share this handy guide to understanding your skin, how it can get dry and uncomfortable, and some solutions for keeping your skin healthy and moisturized during cold and dry days.
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A Little Bit About Skin
Our skin is made up of three layers, and each plays a part in our health. The first and deepest layer is made mostly of fat that keeps us warm, stores energy, and protects our organs from shocks. The second layer is the dermis, where blood vessels, oils, nerves, and hair follicles are located. The outer layerwhat we really think of when we say skinis called the epidermis. This layer is made up of stacked cells held together by a moist barrier made up of water and our own natural fats or oils. Every month these cells are shed and replaced by younger cells from lower in the epidermis.
Articles On Types Of Psoriasis
Knowing which kind of psoriasis you have helps you and your doctor make a treatment plan. Most people have only one type at a time. Sometimes, after your symptoms go away, a new form of psoriasis will crop up in response to a trigger.
In general, most types of psoriasis result from the same triggers:
- Diet
- Weather
Here’s how you can spot the 7 types of psoriasis and what you can do to treat them.
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What Causes Psoriasis Outbreaks
Psoriasis outbreaks differ from person to person. No one knows exactly what causes flare-ups. Common psoriasis triggers may include:
- Skin injury .
- Streptococcal or other infection that affects the immune system.
- Certain prescription medications .
- Cold weather, when people have less exposure to sunlight and humidity and more to hot, dry indoor air.
Can Diet Affect My Psoriasis
A healthy diet is important for wellbeing and can reduce your risk of many long-term illnesses. However, there is no clear link between what you eat and the severity of psoriasis symptoms.
- The British Nutrition Foundation suggests eating at least 300g of oily fish per week for general health .
- Aim to eat more green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and wholegrain cereals, which also contain important essential fatty acids.
- Cut back on saturated fats and vegetable oils and use more olive oil and rapeseed oil products.
- Eat fresh, homemade foods rather than pre-packaged convenience food.
- Excessive amounts of alcohol can make psoriasis worse and can also interfere with certain drug medications, for example methotrexate.
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Acne: Blocked Pores That Lead To Pimples
Some forms of psoriasis appear as pus-filled blisters that may be confused with pimples. Pustular psoriasis forms white blisters that are filled with pus and surrounded by red skin. Far more common than psoriasis, acne also causes a pus-filled pimple eruption. However unlike psoriasis acne is caused by excess oil, blocked pores, and bacteria. Acne is common in teens and young adults and occurs on the face, neck, back, or chest. Pustular psoriasis is usually seen in adults and can occur anywhere on the body, but less likely on the face.
Shingles: A Rash And Severe Pain That Lingers
Shingles is another viral infection that shares some symptoms with psoriasis. Like psoriasis, shingles can make your skin burn and itch and produces a red, blistered skin rash. Shingles is caused by the same virus that first brings on chickenpox. The virus stays in your body and can come back years later to cause shingles, especially during times of stress or infection. The skin rash of shingles follows the course of a single nerve, usually on the trunk. In some cases, severe pain lasts long after the burning, itchy rash disappears. Shingles is more common in people over age 50.
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What Are The Treatment Options For Plaque Psoriasis
Learning about these different options can help you partner with your doctor to find the right treatment for you. Common treatments for plaque psoriasis include:
- Topicalscreams, ointments, foams, or gels that are applied directly to plaques
- a form of light therapy in which UV rays shine directly onto your plaques
- Systemic medicationstaken orally or by injection to work from inside the body, not just on the skin
- Biologic medicationsgenerally taken by injection, they target certain parts of the immune system
How Can You Measure Inflammation In The Body
While certain foods are known to cause inflammation, not everyone reacts the same way to these foods. Ive had some patients who felt that wheat was making their psoriasis worse. Another patient noticed more flare-ups when she ate nuts, says Wesdock.
Some tests can measure inflammation with biomarkers, which are substances in your blood that spike when your body reacts a certain way to foods such as fats or sugar. For example, a simple test can check for increased levels of C-reactive protein in your blood. The liver makes extra CRP if theres inflammation in your body. Doctors might use this test to determine how likely you are to develop a chronic condition like heart disease.
As you adjust your diet to ease psoriasis symptoms, be sure to work with your psoriasis doctor to monitor symptoms and inflammation levels.
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How Successful Are The Treatments
Anti-inflammatory drugs can help to reduce pain, swelling and stiffness. Unfortunately, however, they can make skin symptoms worse in some people. Steroid injections to joints may give relief. Disease-modifying drugs such as methotrexate can damp down both skin and joint symptoms, as can targeted biologic agents.
In some cases, surgery to remove a thickened synovial membrane , realign a joint or to fuse a joint may stop pain which results from movement.
Sometimes it is possible to remove the painful end of a bone .
Remember: All treatments may have unwanted side effects or require special precautions . Always make sure you have all the information before embarking on any course of therapy this includes reading the patient information leaflets provided with your medicines.
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How Can I Get Started With A Psoriasis Diet
If youre going to change your diet to combat psoriasis, Wesdock recommends starting slowly. Jumping into a highly restrictive diet isnt usually sustainable and may deprive you of important nutrients. Instead, start by cutting out some highly processed foods.
Substitute the pastries and cookies with fresh fruit. Opt for herbal tea or water flavored with fresh fruit, mint or cucumber. If you think theres a specific food or ingredient thats triggering psoriasis flare-ups, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian.
Being overweight or obese can also make psoriasis worse, so you may want to start a weight loss plan that includes fewer calories and smaller portion sizes. Any psoriasis treatment diet should be accompanied by healthy lifestyle choices. Get plenty of sleep and regular exercise, and try to reduce stress in your life. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about a plan to quit.
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Will Good Dietary Nutrition Help My Psoriasis
A healthy diet is important for well-being and can reduce your risk of many long term illnesses, including coronary heart disease, inflammatory conditions and even cancer. However there is no clear link between what you eat and the severity of psoriasis symptoms.
- The British Nutrition Foundation suggests eating at least 300g oily fish per week for general health . Fish oil has been shown to benefit psoriasis
- Aim to eat more green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and wholegrain cereals which also contain important essential fatty acids.
- Cut back on saturated fats and vegetable oils and use more olive oil and rapeseed oil products
- Eat fresh home made foods rather than pre-packaged, convenience foods
- Certain foods may worsen your symptoms. If you experience any adverse effects from foods it may be worth making a note of these to discuss with your doctor and generally for your own avoidance when preparing and eating food
Inflammation And Psoriasis: Making The Connection
The immune system and inflammation play a role in psoriasis. Heres how theyre believed to be connected.
Think of the immune system as your bodys alarm system. When you get a cold, infection, or scrape on your knee, your immune system sends out signals that trigger inflammation in an effort to defend itself.
When you have psoriasis, your immune system is out of balance. In fact, its in overdrive. An overactive immune system can send faulty signals and mistake healthy cells for harmful ones. This results in too much inflammation. For psoriasis patients, this means the body rapidly produces more skin cells than necessary.
Luckily, some treatment options can reduce inflammation, which may help the immune system and help to slow the rapid production of skin cells.
Talk to a dermatologist to learn more about treatment options that may work for you.
How satisfied are you with your current treatment?
Im looking for better results
Im not currently treating
Thanks for answering!
Its important to work with a dermatologist when choosing a psoriasis treatment. Learn how to start that conversation.
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How Psoriasis Spreads
Repeat after us: Psoriasis is not contagious. Not now, not ever.
A psoriasis flare-up can spread to different parts of your body, but it cant spread to a different person.
Heres the scoop: Psoriasis is propelled by your immune system, which is why most docs and researchers file it under autoimmune diseases. Basically, the inflammation erupts from *inside* your body, not in response to a single outside irritant.
Whats causing that inflammation? Its essentially friendly fire from your immune system. Your immune system is responding to a trigger and lashing out at the wrong guys . This attack shows up as rashes and plaques on different parts of your body.
So when a psoriasis flare spreads, its not because you accidentally touched your arm to the plaque on your leg. It means your immune system is still misguided, but in a new location.
Psoriasis can spread differently depending on the type:
Maybe! You can definitely take steps to help.