Healing Psoriasis Through the Power of the Mind

There is no doubt that the mind is a very powerful aid in healing, and scientific evidence supports the fact that stress can trigger, as well as make psoriasis worse in some people. Meditation and relaxation and related practices that reduce stress are often beneficial to people with psoriasis.
Hypnosis has been referred to in several scientific studies as aiding in the clearing of psoriasis. These it has been found to double the rate of clearance that UV light therapy alone (another useful psoriasis treatment.) Both on its own and as a supplement to other psoriasis treatment, it has been cited as being helpful in clearing psoriasis in several published case reports. One study examined the use of meditation and guided imagery in patients undergoing ultraviolet light (UV) treatments. Patients who relaxed during the treatments cleared faster; in some cases, twice as fast as patients who had the light therapy alone.
When used practiced in conjunction with other alternative treatments and traditional medical treatments, stress management, mental relaxation, or any means of giving patients a feeling of control over the negative mental aspects associated with psoriasis is helpful.

Can A Vitamin Cure Psoriasis?

Dietary supplements encompass vitamins, minerals and herbal products. These usually benefit the body as a whole, but there is no evidence that a particular any particular supplement is a cure for psoriasis. The supplements cited to as being beneficial to psoriasis include red clover, sarsaparilla, milk thistle and burdock. These most likely have no bad side effects if taken in usual doses. People who buy these supplements and others are responsible for safeguarding their own health. There is a risk that certain dietary supplements, even multivitamins, may interfere with prescription medications, and it is a good idea for patients to discuss with their doctor before starting any taking any new supplements.

Psoriasis Control Through Diet

It has been shown that a healthy diet and lifestyle benefits everyone, especially people with psoriasis. While there is no specific diet that people with psoriasis should follow, there is evidence that certain foods will contribute to either improving there are some connections between certain foods and the skin getting worse or clearing up. This must be is true for each individual with no general rules set guidelines of foods that are better or worse. It is helpful for patients to eat only what makes them feel the most healthy.

Treating Psoriasis Through Water Therapy

Water therapy is the combination of sea salts and water and is the basis of many powerful therapeutic treatments. There are numerous types of Water Therapy administered at spas, ayurvedic & holistic centers, and health clinics around the world. Sports therapy clinics use Hydrotherapy Baths to help patients recover from joint and muscle injuries. Dermatologists are recommending Bokek Dead Sea Salt baths for patients with psoriasis, eczema and other dry skin conditions. Estheticians emphasize the cleansing properties of a sea salt bath to clean pores and to detoxify the body. Cancer patients use water therapy to help deal with radiation treatments. There are even Water Therapies & therapeutic bath salts you can use on a daily or weekly basis in your own home.
Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, discovered the therapeutic qualities of seawater by noticing the healing affects it had on the injured hands of fishermen. The seawater not only restricted infection risks, but patients who followed treatments involving the use of seawater found that it also promoted pain relief. It is now known that sea salt therapy is an effective treatment that assists in the rejuvenation of the cells and also induces a healthy exchange of minerals and toxins between the blood and the water.
Types of Water Therapies
Balneotherapy - a range of treatments with warm mineral salt water, from bathing or underwater massage jets to plain drinking. Alkaline water helps stimulate the secretion of bile, while hypnotic water has diuretic effects and is often used for treating kidney stones.
Heliotherapy - use of the sun’s creative properties. Despite recent awareness of skin cancers, sun remains an excellent source of energy, boosts immunity and stabilizes mood when used appropriately. Skin treatments combine this with sea salt baths but should only be used together under the supervision of a doctor.
Phytotherapy - treatments with wild-growing herbs, plants, flowers or leaves. Used in salt baths, oils or infusions, their effect can be superior to pharmacological treatments for some medical conditions. Perfect for combining with sea salts.
Thalassotherapy - therapeutic baths using warm seawater. The application of seawater (which is very similar to the body’s own internal fluids) allows magnesium and potassium to be drawn into the blood stream while toxins are actively eliminated.

Harnessing The Power Of The Sun To Treat Psoriasis

There is widespread acceptance and studies to support the benefits of sunlight on psoriasis. Getting the most benefits from the sunlight involves getting regular doses of sunlight every day. When combined with saltwater bathing, particularly Dead Sea Salt bathing, sunlight is an impressive short term remedy for psoriasis. Every Year, thousands of people seek treatment at the Dead Sea in Israel, where they enjoy safe sun exposure, and bathing in the uniquely saline water. The rates of complete and dramatic clearing of psoriasis at the Dead Sea are unmatched anywhere in the world.

Herbal Treatments For Psoriasis

traditional Chinese Medicne is an ancient system of healthcare encompasses many different types of practices. A primary component of TCM involves compounds of herbal remedies, mixed uniquely for each patient. There are many formulas available for psoriasis treatment: topical, oral, and injectable. Given their history of development, these formulas deserve respect on their ability to help some patients. Some of these make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light and are combined with traditional phototherapy.
It is important to keep in mind that these Traditional Chinese herbal preparations are not clinically produced and there can be variations that misuses occur that can have negative effects on people. There are many natural drugs which are very potent in humans, and should be used with care.

Taking a holistic approach to healing arthritis and rheumatism is essential when talking natural healing. Many different factors come into play including the very important factor of genetics, as well as psychological imbalances. The natural approach to healing generally accounts for a buildup of toxins in the system and these remedies serve to cleanse the system. There are many useful products that hare accepted as useful in treating arthritis and rheumatism, including Bog bean, Guaiacum, Black cohosh, Celery seed, Meadowsweet, Yarrow, Jamaican dog wort, Valerian, Passion flower and Capsicum. These have been used for many years by herbalists for arthritis treatment.
These herbs have already been mixed into the most beneficial compounds to yield the best result. Because many natural compounds are inherently very potent and may be toxic, getting the right balance is an experimental process. It is a good idea if you intend to use these products to purchase a ready-made compound from either a pharmacy or a herbalist

Psoriasis Treatment Through Manipulation

This term is used to describe any method of treating pain which includes realigning the joints, (such as Chiropractics). Manipulation of the joints must be done by a highly skilled person in order to avoid any risk that the practice might actually harm the inflamed joints rather than help them.
With little proof of helping with psoriatic arthritis patients, however, massage is quite helpful to relieve pain in the muscles and restore joint health after the inflammation has subsided

Treating Psoriasis With The Ancient Methods of Ayurveda

An ancient healing method based on prevention rather than cures, Ayurveda has roots in India thousands of years old. It is a more holistic approach, and does not focus on one affected area or one specific disease or condition. It focuses on balance though balancing lifestyle and meditation as well as a healthful diet and dietary supplements. This holistic approach to controlling Psoriasis might involve reducing stress, cleansing the body, exercise, and oils for the skin.

Using Acupuncture To treat Psoriasis

With roots in ancient China, this technique of relieving pain and treating disease involves inserting and manipulating fine needles in the body at varying depths at “meridians” or acupressure points. Acupuncture, though, is not a common way to treat psoriasis in China but there is evidence that it is an effective psoriasis treatment. This evidence is largely unsupported by clinical studies, and its success of varies from person to person. Generally, it takes many treatments in order to help. The benefits of this acupuncture include no side effects, so trying the treatment involves no risk of negative side effects. Acupuncture is becoming more widespread and accepted as a means of treating and controlling the pain associated with psoriatic arthritis and rheumatism.

Keeping the Skin Moist

Indeed a very important part of healing psoriasis, many moisturizing agents can be considered natural treatments natural compounds products. One treatment which has been studied and found effective is aloe vera. Other substances which may be helpful due to their moisturizing properties include neem oil, emu oil, jojoba, among others, but these have not been proven scientifically to help psoriasis.
Products including witch hazel, tea tree oil, mahonia ther aquifolium, capsaicin and evening primrose oil seem to have medicinal effects on the skin, and Capsicum (a natural component of hot peppers) is widely known to be an effective pain reliever when applied to the skin and to help relieve scaling, redness and itching. Bathing and moisturizing with oat- derivative products is soothing to may skin conditions.

The Profile of Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis may occur in isolation or with any other form of psoriasis. The back of the head is a common site but multiple discrete areas of the scalp or the whole scalp may be affected. Scalp psoriasis is characterised by thick silvery white scale on patches of very red skin. It may extend slightly beyond the hairline. Scalp psoriasis, even though often adequately camouflaged by the hair, is often a source of social embarrassment due to flaking of the scale and severe 'dandruff'. Scalp psoriasis may not cause any symptoms at all or may be extremely itchy. It tends to be a chronic problem, lasting many years.
In very severe cases there may be some temporary mild localised hair loss but scalp psoriasis does not cause permanent balding.
Scalp psoriasis requires slightly different regimes from psoriasis affecting the skin elsewhere. This is due to hair, which makes application of many topical products difficult and protects the scalp from the effects of ultraviolet light. Unfortunately, many scalp treatments for scalp psoriasis are messy and smelly. Most treatments will need to be used regularly for several weeks before a benefit is seen.
Special medicated shampoos can be purchased from the chemist.
Coal tar shampoos are suitable for most patients with scalp psoriasis
Ketoconazole shampoo is effective for dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and sebopsoriasis
The shampoos work best if rubbed into the scalp well, and left in for 5 or 10 minutes and then reapplied. They are safe for daily use but may irritate if applied more than twice weekly. If you dislike the smell of coal tar, try shampooing again with a favourite brand, and use a conditioner.
More severe cases require leave-on scalp applications.
Alcohol-based topical steroid and calcipotriol lotions can reduce itch but don't lift scale very well. Use topical steroids intermittently; overuse results in more extensive and severe psoriasis.
Salicylic acid and coal tar creams work much better, but are messy. Coconut compound ointment is a combination of coal tar, salicylic acid and sulphur and seems particularly effective. Leave on for at least an hour and shampoo off later. Most people rub the cream into the plaques at night and wash it off in the morning.
Use the scalp preparation daily at first then as the condition improves, reduce the frequency. Unfortunately in many cases the scale soon builds up again, so the creams may have to be applied regularly to keep the scalp clear.
Cutting hair short helps control scalp psoriasis, probably by making the treatments easier to apply, but is not appealing to everyone.

Treating Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis usually occurs in adults. It is characterized by blister-like lesions filled with non-infectious pus and surrounded by reddened skin. Pustular psoriasis, which can be limited to one part of the body (localized) or can be widespread, may be the first symptom of psoriasis or develop in a patient with chronic plaque psoriasis.

Generalized pustular psoriasis is also known as Von Zumbusch pustular psoriasis. Widespread, acutely painful patches of inflamed skin develop suddenly. Pustules appear within a few hours, then dry and peel within two days.

Generalized pustular psoriasis can make life-threatening demands on the heart and kidneys.
Palomar-plantar pustulosis (PPP) generally appears between the ages of 20 and 60. PPP causes large pustules to form at the base of the thumb or on the sides of the heel. In time, the pustules turn brown and peel. The disease usually becomes much less active for a while after peeling.

Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau is a form of PPP characterized by painful, often disabling, lesions on the fingertips or the tips of the toes. The nails may become deformed, and the disease can damage bone in the affected area.

6-ThioguanineApproved for treating leukemia, it may be effective in treating psoriasis, especially pustular psoriasis. Possible side effects include anemia, decrease in white blood cells and platelets and bone marrow toxicity.

IsotretinoinFDA approved for the treatment of severe cystic acne, oral isotretinoin may also be effective in treating pustular psoriasis. Isotretinoin is a potent drug that can cause severe birth defects. For this reason, it should not be used by a woman who is pregnant or breast feeding. Women planning a pregnancy should discontinue taking isotretinoin and use birth control for at least one month before trying to become pregnant.

Non-traditional psoriasis treatments include:
*Soaking in warm water and German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) or bathing in warm salt water.
*Drinking as many as three cups a day of hot tea made with one or a combination of the following herbs: burdock (Arctium lappa) root, dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum) root, Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), sarsaparilla (Smilax officinalis), and balsam pear (Momardica charantia).
*Taking two 500-mg capsules of evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis) a day. Pregnant women should not use evening primrose oil, and patients with liver disease or high cholesterol should use it only under a doctor's supervision.
*Eating a diet that includes plenty of fish, turkey, celery (for cleansing the kidneys), parsley, lettuce, lemons (for cleansing the liver), limes, fiber, and fruit and vegetable juices.
*Eating a diet that eliminates animal products high in saturated fats, since they promote inflammation.
*Drinking plenty of water (at least eight glasses) each day.
*Taking nutritional supplements including folic acid, lecithin, vitamin A (specific for the skin), vitamin E, selenium, and zinc.
*Regularly imagining clear, healthy skin.

Dermatitis or Psoriasis - Which One Do I Have?

Is it dermatitis or psoriasis? How to Determine which skin condition you have:
Dermatitis is simply an inflammation of the skin, it is anything that causes redness, itchy and/or irritation. It can be poison ivy, rosacea, acne, eczema, or psoriasis. Psoriasis defines the skin condition in more depth. Psoriasis is a noncontagious inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurring reddish patches. Psoriasis as an hereditary components illness; in fact it’s possible to find different people with this pathology in the same family. It's frequently found in a family composed by people with pathologies as: diabetes of the adult, rheumatoid arthritis, the systemic lupus erythematic, vitiligo and a member with psoriasis too.

Inverse Psoriasis: What It Is And How To Treat It

Inverse or Flexural psoriasis is localized in the flexural surfaces of the skin or skin folds. This type of psoriasis is often white in color, appears softened as if soaked by water, and may resemble a fungal infection. There is very little scaling, although the patches are inflamed and can be very sore. Appearing as it does in the folds of the skin, it is moister than other forms of psoriasis, and can be more uncomfortable physically. Flexural psoriasis rarely occurs by itself. It is more likely to accompany common plaque psoriasis. Psoriasis sufferers in their middle years or old age are more susceptible to this type of psoriasis as are people who are overweight and have more folds of skin.

The goal of psoriasis treatment is to reduce inflammation and to control flaking of the skin. Psoriasis treatment is based on the affected person’s health, age, lifestyle, and the severity of the psoriasis. A number of different psoriasis treatments are normally employed to determine which is the most effective.

Treatment can be difficult due to the sensitivity of skin in these fold areas. Steroid creams and ointments are considered very effective, but they should not be occluded (covered) with plastic dressings. Overuse or misuse of steroids, particularly in skin folds, can result in side effects, especially thinning of the skin and stretch marks. Because these areas are prone to yeast and fungal infections, doctors may test for infection and then may use diluted topical steroids in combination with other medications, for example, 1% or 2% hydrocortisone with anti-yeast or antifungal agents.

Other topical agents, such as Dovonex, coal tar or anthralin, can be somewhat effective in treating psoriasis in skin folds, but they may also be irritating. They should be used with caution and under the direction of a doctor. People with severe inverse psoriasis may occasionally require systemic drugs, such as methotrexate, to control the condition.

In December 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a drug called Protopic (also known by its generic name tacrolimus) for eczema. Many dermatologists have found it works well for psoriasis lesions in skin folds. Elidel (also known by its generic name pimecrolimus) can also be used for inverse psoriasis. Elidel is generally not as effective as Protopic but is less greasy.

Sometimes a product called Castellani's Paint (prescribed by a doctor and compounded by a pharmacist, or bought over the counter as brand name Castederm) is used to treat inverse psoriasis. It is a liquid that can be painted on the affected skin and can help to dry moist lesions of psoriasis in folds, as can the use of various powders. Some people will use creams at night and powders in the morning. Zeasorb and Zeasorb AF may be effective powders to use for inverse psoriasis.