Are There Complications Of Psoriasis
In some people, psoriasis causes more than itchiness and red skin. It can lead to swollen joints and arthritis. If you have psoriasis, you may be at higher risk of:
- Use medicated shampoo for scales on your scalp.
Other steps you should take to stay as healthy as possible:
- Talk to your healthcare provider about lowering your risk for related conditions, such as heart disease, depression and diabetes.
- Lower your stress with meditation, exercise or seeing a mental health professional.
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Greetings earthling! This blogpost has now helped THOUSANDS of people since it was written almost four years ago, gets updated regularly, and contains hundreds of helpful responses in the . I say this for two reasons:
Now back to our originally scheduled programming.
First and foremost, my sincerest apologies for taking so long to finally publish this. I assure you Ive read everyones messages, and Im so sorry if I havent gotten back to you.
This article took an unbelievable amount of research. A lot more than I expected. For reference, check out what my browser looked like on any given day I was writing this.
Its no secret that treating pityrosporum folliculitis is complicated business. I mean seriously, a recent medical paper in 2014 was literally titled Malassezia infections: A medical conundrum, because of how problematic and complex these diseases are becoming.
A Little About The Ingredients And Their Benefits
Glycerin USP: This clear odorless by-product of soap and bio-diesel is a natural water attractant. It is found in combined form in all plant and animal fats, triglycerides. On the skin it works by pulling water from the air, and pulling water to the surface to moisturize. Due to this water attracting quality it is the main ingredient in many moisturizers.
Witch Hazel: Derived from the bark of a North American shrub, this natural clear liquid has all sorts of healing properties. Most beneficial properties to people with psoriasis are:
- Anti-Inflammatory
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How To Make Your Own Witch Hazel Shampoo
If you would rather use shampoo instead of applying it directly to the scalp, you can buy a shampoo that contains witch hazel. Or you can make your very own DIY shampoo with witch hazel extract. This way, you can use your favorite vegan and paraben-free shampoo as a base.
This is a great alternative to using a traditional dandruff shampoo. You might not want to use these common products because of certain ingredients they contain, or if theyve been tested on animals.
Its better to mix the witch hazel into your shampoo rather than your conditioner, because shampoo is focusing more on the scalp. Conditioner, on the other hand, is more for the length of your hair to strengthen and to soften it.
Grab a small bowl and add a few drops of witch hazel into the amount of shampoo you normally use for a wash. Mix it together and massage the scalp, thoroughly rubbing it all in. Rinse and use conditioner as usual.
Is Witch Hazel Safe For Skin
A 2015 study in the journal Clinical, Cosmetic Investigative Dermatology examined a topical gel containing witch hazel and found it was safe and effective for treating sensitive or irritated facial skinfinding the formulation non-stinging, non-irritating, and non-comedogenic. However, the ingredient should still be approached with caution.
Dr. Chwalek says that witch hazel can be safe for skin in limited amounts, but since its sometimes distilled with alcohol, she says it can be overly drying if used too much. So, when shopping for a witch hazel product, be sure to check the label for problematic drying ingredients, like denatured alcohol.
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What Are Witch Hazel Pads
What do Witch Hazel Pads Do?
Witch hazel pads are a convenient way to use witch hazel. They are thin cotton pads that have been pre-moistened with witch hazel and possibly other soothing ingredients. Witch hazel pads are commonly used for hemorrhoids, postpartum pain, and swelling.
Witch hazel pads shrink swollen tissues and blood vessels, reducing bleeding and irritation. They soothe the skin, reduce itching, and help it heal. You can tuck a witch hazel pad onto an area of swollen or irritated skin for quick, soothing relief.
You will find several brands of pre-moistened witch hazel pads available, or you can make your own:
How to Make Witch Hazel Pads
To make witch hazel pads, you can soak cotton pads in witch hazel and apply to the affected area. It is best to use a witch hazel solution that does not contain alcohol, to avoid stinging, especially if there are breaks in the skin.
How Can Parents Help
For some children, psoriasis is just a minor inconvenience. For others, it is a difficult medical condition.
To manage symptoms and make outbreaks less likely, your child should:
- Wash hands well and often and stay away from people who are sick to prevent infections.
- Manage stress through exercise, yoga, or meditation.
- Not smoke or drink alcohol.
- Keep a healthy weight. People who are overweight tend to have more severe psoriasis symptoms.
Kids and teens with psoriasis may feel uncomfortable with the way their skin looks. Help your child understand that psoriasis is common and treatments can help.
Whether your childs psoriasis is mild or severe, learn about the condition together. Offer to help find a therapist or join a support group if that might help. Talk to your doctor or check websites like:
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Witch Hazel In Hair Care
You might be familiar with how witch hazel works for the skin . And in case you need a friendly reminder: Your scalp is your skin, and the healthiest, strongest hair starts within those follicles. While you can find a number of witch-hazel-formulated shampoos and hair care products on the market, using the straight-up astringent can have some pretty impressive effectsit just, sigh, depends on your skin type.
To begin, here are five purported benefits of using witch hazel on your hair and scalp:
Reduce Eye Puffiness And Under
Those annoying under-eye bags have many causes, but usually, swelling of the tissue under the eye causes them. You might also have puffy eyes from crying, allergies, or fatigue.
Witch hazels anti-inflammatory properties reduce the swelling, and it tightens up the skin to reduce the overall puffiness and any redness. Just apply a little witch hazel over the eyelid and under the eye or follow our instructions below to use witch hazel as a soothing eye mask.
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Is Witch Hazel Safe
Witch hazel is completely safe to use on the skin however, some people may have a minor reaction to it. Severe allergic reactions are rare. If you have sensitive skin or skin allergies, always do a patch test before using a new product on your skin.
Patch Test
- Choose a small area of sensitive skin for the patch test. A good spot is on the neck, just below the hairline.
- Dab a small amount of the product on the skin.
- Expect a little tingle or pinkness immediately this is not a problem.
- Check the area after 30 minutes and again the next day.
- If there is no reaction or rash, you are not sensitive to the product.
If your skin reacts, you may be able to dilute the product 1:1 with water and try the patch test again.
Can You Make Witch Hazel At Home
Yes, you can! I found an easy recipe shared by Bellaonline.com:
Ingredients
- Distilled water
Directions
- Soak witch hazel bark in water for ½ hour in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, let steep for another 10 minutes.
- Strain when cool and bottle in a glass storage jar.
- Store in the refrigerator. It will keep for three weeks.
You could also add some dried rose petals, a few drops of tea tree oil or even aloe vera! It depends how you want to use it.
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How Is Psoriasis Treated
Psoriasis is usually treated by a dermatologist . A rheumatologist may also help with treatment. Treatments can include:
- ultraviolet light from the sun or from home or office treatments. But in some children, sunlight can make psoriasis worse.
- creams, lotions, ointments, and shampoos such as moisturizers, corticosteroids, vitamin D creams, and shampoos made with salicylic acid or coal tar
- medicines taken by mouth or injected medicines
A doctor might try one therapy and then switch to another, or recommend combining treatments. Its not always easy to find a therapy that works, and sometimes what works for a time stops helping after a while.
What Is The Best Witch Hazel
You will find many different brands of witch hazel preparations on the market. Some are excellent others are diluted and not as effective. The best witch hazel is made fresh from leaves and bark and used within a week of preparation. You will find the method below.
Thayers Witch Hazel is a brand that has been in use for a long time and is well regarded however, other brands work equally well.
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Benefits Of Witch Hazel For Hair
Witch hazel is derived from the bark and leaves of a plant called Hamamelis virginiana. Its leaves and bark are astringent and anti-inflammatory, says trichologist Bridgette Hill.Witch hazel is antioxidant-rich and has antibacterial properties.
As for how it works, when applied to the scalp, witch hazel causes the pores to contract or shrink, which is excellent for managing and treating scalp conditions, Hill explains. There is a belief that the vasoconstrictive propertiesnarrowing of the blood vesselsassists with anchoring in the hair follicle and increases blood circulation directly to the follicle, she says.
A variety of conditions can lead to scalp sensitivityand thats where witch hazel comes in. Sensitivities can arise due to topical and chemical treatments, or dermatological conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, or eczema, says Dr. Craig Ziering, a board-certified hair transplant surgeon and restoration expert. In these cases where the scalp is irritated or inflamed, or there is excessive cell buildup, witch hazel offers calming benefits, he explains.
Witch Hazel Benefits For Eczema
Eczema is considered an inflammatory skin condition caused by an allergic reaction or other inflammatory irritations. It causes dry, red, irritated, and itchy skin. Sufferers tend to scratch, which leads to raw skin and cracking. Witch hazel is good and relieving the itching, calming the redness and irritation.
Apply witch hazel directly to the irritated skin, or use our Anti-Itch Formula found in the recipe section below.
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Prevent And Treat Acne
Witch hazel cleans the skin of dirt and excess oils that tend to clog pores and cause acne. Similar to hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel with the astringent properties dry the skin, and its disinfectant properties kill microbes that cause infection. It shrinks the pores and reduces skin inflammation.
Dampen a cotton ball with witch hazel as a face wash for acne and wipe it across your entire face and other places where you are prone to acne. Use it three or more times daily for best results. Because it treats the causes and effects of acne, it gets rid of blemishes and prevents new ones.
Risk Factors To Consider
You shouldnt use witch hazel if youre pregnant or breastfeeding. More research needs to be done to determine whether witch hazel has any damaging effects on women in these groups.
Witch hazel isnt approved for internal use. Ingesting witch hazel may lead to gastrointestinal problems, such as indigestion and constipation. Repeatedly ingesting large amounts of witch hazel can also lead to kidney and liver damage.
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Adverse Effects Of Herbal Th Erapy
Herbal therapies vary greatly in their safety class ratings. For example, some are consumed as foods and have high safety ratings, whereas others are highly biologically active and toxic and must be used very carefully. The safety classes of the herbs mentioned in this chapter are addressed in each section, and further discussion of interactions of herbal therapies that may be encountered in dermatology is detailed in the remaining sections of the chapter. Many cutaneous reactions to herbal preparations have been reported, with the most common cutaneous adverse event being allergic contact dermatitis. More serious cutaneous reactions have been reported. Two patients developed erythroderma after using topical herbal treatments for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, and one patient developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome after taking âgolden health blood-purifying tablets,â which contained multiple herbs, including red clover, burdock, queenâs delight, poke root, prickly ash, sassafras bark, and Passiflora . Bullous and nodular lichen planus were reported to be induced by ingestion of native African herbal medicines . A young woman was also described with leukemia-related Sweet syndrome elicited by a pathergic response to topical arnica cream .
Wet Dressings And Warm Baths With Salts Or Oats
Baths and showers can be relaxing, but those that are too long or too hot can strip the skin of its oils, and this can make psoriasis worse.
Some people find that a warm bath containing colloidal oatmeal or Epsom salts is soothing and relieves symptoms.
According to , an oatmeal bath or a wet dressing can reduce itching, and a warm bath containing a suitable bath oil can help moisturize the skin.
In 2005, researchers found evidence that Dead Sea salts might help with dry skin. Volunteers immersed a forearm in water with a 5-percent concentration of magnesium salts, the most common minerals in the Dead Sea, for 15 minutes.
The participants skin barrier function improved, their skin hydration was better, and they had reduced roughness and inflammation compared with the control group who used tap water instead.
After bathing, applying an appropriate moisturizer while the skin is still damp can help prevent moisture loss.
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Impressive Benefits Of Witch Hazel For Psoriasis
Witch hazel isnt the most common herb in your medicine cabinet, but it has a number of health benefits, including its role as an astringent and anti-inflammatory compound, capable of reducing infections, speeding healing, protecting the hair and skin, eliminating hemorrhoids, balancing hormones, soothing pain and settling the stomach, among many others!
Who Shouldnt Use Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is ideal for people with an oily scalp. It is not recommended for individuals with a dry scalp, as the plant may dry the scalp way too much and cause itching, redness, and irritation. If you have extremely sensitive skin, it is advisable to avoid witch hazel as its acidic pH may cause irritation.
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Easy Witch Hazel Shampoo Un
To use witch hazel on your hair, you dont actually have to make anything. Just use your favorite shampoo and add a few drops of alcohol-free witch hazel.
Its better to mix the witch hazel into your shampoo rather than your conditioner, as shampoo is used more on the scalp.
How To Use Witch Hazel For Psoriasis & Eczema
You can buy witch hazel water, also called hamamelis water. Its comprised of the extract from a Hamamelis plant combined with water to create a cooling astringent that can be topically applied.
This solution is gentle, non-drying and is very effective especially when applied immediately after showering.
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Is Scalp Psoriasis Curable
Dr. Wofford says, Unfortunately, there is no cure for any form of psoriasis, including scalp psoriasis. However, advancing research has enabled your dermatologist to provide effective treatments to prevent flare-ups and manage symptoms when they do arise. That means most people have mild symptoms that do not last long.
There is a range of treatments available for scalp psoriasis. In most cases, youll begin with medicated shampoos, creams, or other topical treatments that you apply directly to the affected areas. Some of these products are available over the counter and in prescription-strength formulas. Prescription topical treatments may also include ingredients like anthralin, antimicrobials, vitamin D , corticosteroids, and/or vitamin A derivatives.
For severe symptoms that dont improve with topical treatment, a combination of in-office and at-home dermatology treatments may be recommended in addition to continuing topical treatments. Some commonly recommended solutions include:
- Laser therapy using low-heat lasers to address itch and redness and improve scalp psoriasis symptoms
- Oral medications corticosteroids, cyclosporine, methotrexate, retinoids , apremilast
- Biologics adalimumab, brodalumab, certolizumab, etanercept, guselkumab, infliximab, ixekizumab, risankizumab, secukinumab, tildrakizumab, ustekinumab
Witch Hazel For Scalp Psoriasis
Image: Shutterstock
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once a week.
Why This Works
The antifungal properties of this powder that is commonly used for baking cakes can help reduce the intensity of the psoriasis patches. It can reduce the inflammation at the affected sites as well .
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