psoriasis away!
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The Secret Of Clear Healthy Skin. For more information visit: http://www.homecureforpsoriasis.comTRANSCRIPT
Home Cure For Psoriasis
Page 1
Psoriasis Away! The Secrets of Clear, Healthy
Skin
Psoriasis Away! The Secrets of Clear, Healthy Skin
Home Cure For Psoriasis
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Table of Contents How to Use This Book .................................................... 3
Part 1: Psoriasis Demystified .......................................... 5
My Story ................................................................... 5
Understanding Psoriasis............................................... 7
Discovering the Roots of the Problem .......................... 11
Trigger # 1: Stress ................................................ 13
Trigger # 2: Skin Injuries ....................................... 15
Trigger # 3: Prescription & OTC Drugs ..................... 18
Trigger # 5: Alcohol ............................................... 21
Trigger # 6: Tobacco Smoke ................................... 21
Signs of Psoriasis ...................................................... 23
Taking Charge of Psoriatic Breakouts .......................... 25
Tip # 1: Strive for a Healthier Diet & Lifestyle ........... 25
Tip # 2: Keep the Triggers in Mind ........................... 32
Tip # 3: Create a Psoriasis Journal ........................... 33
Tip # 4: Take Better Care of Your Skin ..................... 34
Tip # 5: Manage Psoriatic Plaques Intelligently .......... 35
Frequently Asked Questions ....................................... 41
Part 2: Treatment Toolbox ............................................ 47
Conventional Treatments for Psoriasis ......................... 47
Treatment Option # 1: Topical Agents ...................... 49
Treatment Option # 2: Phototherapy (UVB & PUVA) ... 61
Treatment Option # 3: Oral Medications ................... 63
Natural Remedies & Better Home Management ............ 67
References ................................................................. 75
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How to Use This Book
Psoriasis Away! The Secrets of Clear, Healthy Skin was
designed with only one thing in mind: to help people
conquer psoriasis, so that they are able to live normal and
happy lives.
The special volume that you are now reading is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the intricacies of the
disease. As they say, you can’t fight a war if you do not
know the enemy.
I have laid open the complex details of psoriasis in such a
way that anyone will be able to understand what they are up
against.
The second part of the book will reveal to you conventional
treatments, as well as natural remedies, for psoriasis. If you want to know more about how psoriasis general affects
people, read the section “Understanding Psoriasis”.
More information regarding the causes of this disease can be
found in “Discovering the Roots of the Problem”. If you need
help in identifying the symptoms of this condition, head over
to “Signs of Psoriasis”.
For expert tips on managing psoriatic flare-ups, you can reference the part titled “Taking Charge of Psoriatic
Breakouts”.
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For a comprehensive look on the various issues surrounding
psoriasis, you can read “Frequently Asked Questions” near
the end of Part 1.
Part 2: Treatment Toolbox, deals with the various ways that you can help your body recover from psoriasis. I have
dedicated specific parts for oral medications, topical agents,
etc.
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Part 1: Psoriasis Demystified
My Story
Some years ago, I developed a chronic itch near my right
elbow. The itch was so persistent that I thought I had contracted some horrible skin disease from one of my
travels abroad.
I love travelling abroad, and admittedly I did not really pay
attention to what I wore or ate (I wasn’t picky), so I thought
that my habits had finally gotten the best of me.
In a matter of weeks, I noticed that the small, rough patch
of skin near my elbow had expanded significantly. The
reddish patch, which was always itchy, was now at least four inches across. I began to panic, because I thought I was
done for – that is, until I visited my dermatologist.
My dermatologist took one good look at my skin using his
special lens and told me that I had psoriasis. I had never
heard of the skin condition before, so I asked my skin doctor
a lot of questions. I learned that psoriasis was an
autoimmune condition, and it wasn’t contracted like fungal
infections.
This saddened me a bit, because the category “autoimmune”
in medicine always means that there is a genetic component
involved.
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Simply put, I had been bound to experience psoriasis at one
point or another, because it was in my genetic makeup. I came home that night with a prescription for several
creams, good wishes, and recommendations from my
dermatologist.
That night I vowed that this skin condition was not going to
get the best of me. I did not like the idea of suffering in
silence as some strange skin condition ate away at the best
days of my life.
That night, I embarked on an educational journey of my
own. I wanted to find out as much as I could about
psoriasis, and how to manage it.
After a few months, I was able to devise my own system of
managing psoriasis, and I was able to manage it quite well!
I want to share this precious knowledge with the rest of the
world so I wrote this book; I know that great ideas should
always be “out there” serving others as they have served me.
It is my sincere hope that this volume will also be of help to
you. May it aid you in your own journey in managing this
skin condition. Don’t let it conquer your life, because it
doesn’t have to be that way at all!
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Understanding Psoriasis
First of all, psoriasis is not a death sentence, nor is it
something to be ashamed of. Unless a really bad infection or
some other severe condition has afflicted you because of
your psoriasis flare-ups, it’s safe to say that you will be
functional and relatively healthy, even if you are diagnosed
with this condition.
Psoriasis is characterized by reddish, flaking skin that is almost always chronically itchy. To ordinary individuals,
psoriasis may seem like a really nasty and contagious skin
condition, because of its general appearance. In reality, it is
impossible to contract psoriasis from another person. Why?
Psoriasis is not caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It is not
contracted from other people, nor can it be passed on to
others through airborne particles, body fluids, skin contact,
etc.
In short, it is unfortunate that you have it, but your family
members and workmates are safe; they cannot contract this
condition by being close to you.
What happens when a person has a psoriasis flare-up? In
order to understand your condition, we must go deep into
the skin tissue itself, and examine how skin grows and
renews itself from time to time. Under normal
circumstances, skin grows at a regular pace, and it takes
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about a month before newly generated skin to emerge at
the very surface.
At this time, the old skin slowly sheds off, and the new skin
takes over the job of protecting the body and regulating
body temperature (among other tasks). Psoriasis radically
changes the situation, which really makes this skin condition
a formidable opponent.
When you have psoriasis, the skin underneath the old skin
regenerates too quickly. Skin tissue, like other tissues, has
definite mass, so it has to push upward from where it is produced.
Instead of taking a whole month (approximately four weeks
on the average), the new skin breaks through the surface of
the old skin after only a few days.
Psoriasis often affects specific/isolated areas of the body, so
if you have psoriasis you will notice that the skin condition is
more prominent in only one or two parts of your body.
Why is psoriatic skin often irritated and itchy? The chronic
itchiness and flaky appearance of psoriatic skin is a
consequence of skin forming irregular plaques on the surface
of the skin.
Psoriatic plaques are areas of the skin where there is more
new skin than usual. These thick, unruly patches tend to be
dry and itchy (and not to mention unattractive, in most
cases).
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The following areas of the body are commonly affected by
psoriasis:
Knees
Back (lower region)
Feet
Elbows
Hands
Scalp
Nails
Thighs
Arms
No age bracket is safe from psoriasis. Psoriasis has been
documented throughout the age spectrum, from small
toddlers to seniors. It has a genetic component, so it is
possible that you may have inherited the skin condition from
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your father, mother, or from some other member of the
family tree.
Some cases of psoriasis are also sporadic (e.g. no clear
genetic precedence). Sporadic cases of psoriasis also involve an autoimmune component, so the treatment methods and
management techniques are more or less the same.
Many people (especially young adults and teenagers) feel
that their social lives are over because of psoriasis. The
angry, reddish patches of skin can really affect a person’s
self-confidence and his ability to carry himself gracefully in
social situations.
If you feel this way as well, know that you do not have to suffer in silence, and there are many ways that you can
manage, and even potentially cure, your psoriasis. This book
will focus on both conventional and alternative methods of
managing psoriasis.
You can try one or both avenues to see which one works for
you the best. People who are dissatisfied with conventional
modes of treatment often explore alternative medicine. We
will be covering this as well in the later part of the book.
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Discovering the Roots of the Problem
The first question that people often ask when they are
diagnosed with psoriasis is, what is the actual cause of the
skin condition. As we have discussed before, psoriasis
cannot be contracted directly from another person, like you can the common cold or influenza.
There are many theories surrounding the actual cause of
psoriasis, but what the medical establishment believes right
now is that it is mainly transmitted through genes (your
familial bloodlines), and that the chronic patchy skin and
itchiness is caused by an overactive immune system (thus,
the autoimmune/genetic component).
These established roots of the disease have many
implications for psoriasis sufferers everywhere. Adults who
have the disease may inadvertently pass on the risk for
developing psoriasis to future offspring. Inversely, a doctor
can further confirm a diagnosis for psoriasis by creating a
detailed medical history of a patient’s family.
In any case, you have to understand that, while it is true
that you did not contract your psoriasis from anyone, it is
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possible that your skin condition has been triggered by your
diet, lifestyle, and even by your immediate environment.
You see, psoriasis is actually a condition wherein the body
thinks it is under attack and, therefore, it implements specific measures to ensure that the body is protected. In
the case of psoriasis, your immune system is actually
triggering increased skin production at specific sites in your
body.
What’s frustrating about this skin condition is that the
increased production of skin cells at specific sites on the
body often causes secondary problems (e.g. chronic itching),
which may lead to more severe problems later on.
For example, a psoriasis sufferer may scratch at his psoriatic
patches frequently, and the breaks on psoriatic skin may
become infected. Psoriasis doesn’t cause infection; breaks
on the skin do. Tiny gaps or openings in the skin can serve
as entry points for microorganisms, like viruses and
bacteria.
Another important feature of psoriasis is that it doesn’t just come out like a raging bull whenever it wants to. Many
psoriasis sufferers feel this way, but the fact of the matter is
that psoriasis only emerges when a specific trigger is
present. You may not realize that a trigger is in your midst,
but it doesn’t mean that it’s not there or it doesn’t exist.
One of the most effective ways of managing any type of
psoriasis is by avoiding this skin condition’s most common
triggers.
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Below are some of the most common triggers that you need
to be aware of if you want to start taking charge of your chronic skin condition:
Trigger # 1: Stress
Stress is more than just a mental response to taxing or
worrying situations. It is an automatic, full-blown
physiological response that manifests when a person is
exposed to common stressors. Each person experiences
varying levels of stress on a day-to-day basis.
If you have psoriasis, it is in your interest to keep your
daily stress levels to a minimum. This might sound a
little weird, as we are talking about a skin condition,
but medical science has established a strong
association between unmediated stress and psoriasis
flare-ups.
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It appears that when you are stressed, your immune
system also becomes imbalanced, and this can lead to
the activation of the psoriasis.
There are many effective ways to manage your stress levels at home or in the office. Here are some fast tips
to get you started:
o Your environment plays a crucial role in
determining your present stress level. Are you in
an environment filled with stressors? If so, it may
be time to re-evaluate why you continue to
tolerate these stressors.
Addressing these stressors may pave the way for
a healthier mind (and body) in the long term. For
example, if you are home most of the time, and
the kids are driving you nuts, why not devise new
rules that would make your home more peaceful
and harmonious?
Making adjustments on your own will definitely help you lead a more stress-free life, and this will
definitely help cut down the frequency of your
psoriasis flare-ups. Who knows? Maybe your only
actual trigger is stress. If you deal with the stress,
maybe your psoriasis will never return again!
o If you feel stressed about an unfolding situation, it
might do you a world of good if you just stepped
out for a moment to get a breath of fresh air.
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Separate yourself from the stressor for five or ten
minutes so you can reorient and de-stress
yourself, for even a few short minutes.
o Learn and apply stress management techniques, like meditation and self-hypnosis, to help ease the
negative impact of daily stress. You don’t have to
spend a ton of cash anymore to take advantage of
these stress management techniques.
There are many reliable books, CDs, DVDs, and e-
recordings in the market today that can help you
get started.
I personally do not endorse specific brands or
techniques because, at the very core, these
products make use of the same essential
principles. As long as you are getting results, you
should be fine.
Trigger # 2: Skin Injuries
Believe it or not, having breaks on your skin, for
whatever reason, can also trigger psoriasis. Skin
injuries, or breakages in general, can initiate the
autoimmune response responsible for psoriatic skin
plaques.
So, as much as possible, take care of your skin so you
do not inadvertently trigger a psoriatic flare-up. Here
are some ways to protect your skin from injury:
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o Inform your doctor that you have psoriasis prior to
getting a vaccination. It has been noted that in
some cases, a simple vaccination can cause a
flare-up.
Informing your doctor of your condition will help
your physician evaluate beforehand where the
vaccine can be injected, and if you are at risk for a
flare-up.
o If you are going out into the sun for a prolonged
period of time, wear some sunscreen. If you have
extra-sensitive skin, it is best to wear sunscreen
that has a sufficient level of SPF protection.
Sunscreen products are graded based on their
ability to block off UVB or ultraviolet rays from the
sun.
Generally speaking, any type of sunscreen product
will work fine, as long as it is applied frequently
throughout the day, especially if you are almost always out in the sun.
Take note that no sunscreen product can protect
your skin one hundred percent. There will always
be some areas of your skin that will be affected by
the sun’s natural UVB rays.
So, when you are buying sunscreen products,
there is no need to buy ultra-expensive sunscreen
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lotions because there is no proof that they offer
better protection than less expensive ones.
A sunscreen lotion with an SPF rating of 30 to 50,
that is applied every two hours, will have a higher chance of protecting your skin fully than a
sunscreen lotion with an SPF rating of 100 that is
applied only once, and never again.
Dermatologists agree that the frequent
reapplication of sunscreen is your number one
defense against sunburns. Sunburn may not look
like an open wound, but it is definitely a skin
injury and, as we have already discussed, skin
injuries can trigger psoriatic outbreaks.
Also, do not forget to take care of your skin after
you have had your day out in the sun. Shower
well after bathing in an open pool or the sea, and
apply hypoallergenic moisturizers on any tender
areas of your skin, to keep those areas hydrated.
Rehydrating your skin with fresh water and
hypoallergenic moisturizing agents can help heal
minor sunburns more quickly.
o Don’t scratch! Itchy spots on the body can be
temporarily relieved by scratching, but this
activity really doesn’t add anything beneficial to
the situation.
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o Scratching will only lead to severe skin breakages,
discoloration, inflammation, and thickening of the
skin tissue in problematic areas.
If an area of your body is really itchy, ask your dermatologist for an antipruritic (anti-itch) cream
or something similar.
Your dermatologist will help you quell these itchy
spots for good. Don’t “solve” your problem with
fingernails, as scratching has been known to
trigger psoriasis also.
Trigger # 3: Prescription & OTC Drugs
If you are getting a new prescription for any of the
following conditions, ask your doctor to give you
medication that does not carry the risk of inadvertently
triggering your psoriasis:
o Manic depression
o Clinical depression
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o Other psychiatric disturbances
o Malaria
o High blood pressure
o Coronary heart diseases
Some drugs, like Inderal (a blood pressure
maintenance medication), have been known to cause
severe flare-ups in patients with psoriasis.
In the case of Inderal, the psoriatic flare-ups occur in
up to thirty percent of patients who take the drug on a
regular basis to control their high blood pressure. The drug is excellent in doing what it is supposed to do, but
it is also triggering something else in the body.
Be wary of new medications, and work closely with
your physician to ensure that none of your medications
are contraindicative of your skin condition. Ask for
alternatives if possible, or at least as your physician
what else you can do to manage the flare-ups after
taking the medication.
Trigger # 4: Weather
Some skin conditions worsen when the weather
changes; psoriasis is one such condition that often
“acts up” when fine weather suddenly becomes cold an
unbearably dry.
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People who have never experienced sensitive skin
conditions before will probably say that cold weather
might be unpleasant, but it’s not exactly threatening to
one’s health.
The same cannot be said for people who suffer from
psoriasis. In temperate countries, sudden cold spells
and low humidity can cause psoriatic breakouts.
It is fairly common for skin to become dry and itchy
when the air is too dry and cool. Moisture in the air
helps keep our skin supple and healthy, so if you live in
a location where humidity or air moisture is almost
always low, you may want to invest in a humidifier to
help reduce the impact of weather in your home.
Medical studies have shown that, on the flipside, warm
and moist weather tends to help people with psoriasis.
Instead of triggering and aggravating psoriasis, hotter
weather appears to have a calming effect on psoriatic
skin.
If your psoriasis is really bad, and it is already
preventing you from functioning properly throughout the day, and your current town’s weather is triggering
flare-ups on a daily basis, moving to a place with
warmer weather may help.
It is a big decision to make, so be sure weigh the pros
and cons. Consult with your dermatologist as well to
see if a sunny clime can help ease the ravages of your
psoriasis.
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Trigger # 5: Alcohol
Alcohol is a big no-no when you have psoriasis,
especially if you are a male. Statistics show that flare-ups become more frequent in male psoriatic patients
who regularly consume alcoholic drinks.
It does not matter what type of alcoholic beverage you
like drinking on a regular basis. It is the actual alcohol
(and not the flavor or make) that can cause the flare-
ups of psoriasis.
Trigger # 6: Tobacco Smoke
There is a continuing inquiry as to how tobacco smoke
actually causes psoriatic breakouts, but one thing is for
certain: smokers with psoriasis often develop thick,
itchy plaques on their hands. This makes a lot of sense,
since you have to hold cigars/cigarettes when you are
smoking them.
Cutting out your tobacco habit will also extend your
life, and greatly reduce your risk for stroke, heart attack, and a large number of known cancers. Will
quitting your tobacco habit solve your psoriasis? No.
There is no proof that your psoriasis will resolve on its
own once the tobacco is removed from your system.
However, it is a trigger, and you will be able to manage
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your condition more effectively by lessening or
eliminating your exposure to tobacco smoke and its
hundreds of chemical byproducts.
It is important for you to know that tobacco smoke isn’t a harmless byproduct of burning tobacco leaves. This
particular smoke contains hundreds of chemical by
products, and most of them are carcinogenic, or
cancer-causing.
Tobacco smoke may disperse when you blow it out, but
the chemical byproducts remain in the air and can even
stick to the walls of your home. Beware these
nanoparticles that cannot be easily removed through
normal means, as they may also cause respiratory problems as well.
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Signs of Psoriasis
Only a dermatologist is able to give you a 100% correct
diagnosis based on specific skin tests and a close physical
examination of affected skin. However, it is still helpful for you to know the telltale signs of this skin condition. Below
are some of the most common symptoms of psoriasis:
This condition often triggers the formation of raised
psoriatic lesions (also known as psoriatic plaques) on
the affected areas of the body.
The topmost layer of these raised plaques is almost
always dry and scaly, while the second layer is shiny
and reddish in color. In many cases, the psoriatic plaques occur on the hands, scalp, fingernail area, and
on the lower region of the back.
It is estimated that over eighty percent of all psoriasis
patients develop scaly psoriatic plaques. These plaques
are very common, and you shouldn’t panic if you do
see them form anywhere on your body if you have
already been diagnosed with psoriasis – it is just your
skin condition expressing itself. Always focus on managing the lesions, because they will eventually
subside with proper care.
Another symptom of psoriasis is minute bleed spots
when the scaly skin is disturbed. These bleed spots are
often seen when a patient scratches or picks at a
psoriatic plaque too hard.
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The dry, scaly skin on top is removed, and the sensitive
underside of the psoriatic plaque is injured by the
fingernails. Thus, some minor bleeding takes place.
As we have discussed before, plaques can occur in almost every part of the body, including the scalp. If
you feel some rough and scaly skin on top of your
head, that too may be a sign that something has
already triggered the manifestation of your psoriasis.
Psoriasis can also affect the fingernails. Psoriatic flare-
ups that affect the nails can result in discoloration of
the actual nail (nails will go from clear to yellow),
morphological disturbances (e.g. minor deformation of
the affected nails), and gross changes (the nail will actually separate from where it was naturally
attached).
In some very rare cases, dermatologists have observed
that it is possible for skin debris to build up underneath
the affected nails.
If the psoriasis becomes too severe, and the patient’s
quality of life is being compromised because of the symptoms, the dermatologist may recommend the
removal of the diseased nails through a surgical
procedure called ungiectomy.
Some patients develop raised patches that have a
raindrop shape. This almost always means that a
patient has developed a subtype of psoriasis called
guttate psoriasis.
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There are also some instances where psoriasis patients
also complain of pain and inflammation in the joints.
This may be a sign that a patient has yet another
subtype of the disease, called psoriatic arthritis.
Taking Charge of Psoriatic Breakouts
Breakouts or flare-ups can be extremely stressful especially
if you have just finished nursing/managing a previous
psoriatic flare-up.
What can you do to ensure that these flare-ups are kept at
bay as much as possible? Here are some guiding words from
medical experts who have been battling psoriasis from the
frontlines for many years:
Tip # 1: Strive for a Healthier Diet & Lifestyle
It is widely believed in the medical community that
psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that is greatly
influenced by a person’s genetic predisposition. This
means that you can’t just “shake off” this skin condition
and hope that it will leave you alone.
The human body has a very complex way of dealing
with its own genetic code; in many cases, it will
continue to follow its genetic blueprint, even if this
means that you will suffer from a chronic skin
condition.
It might appear that I am painting a very dark and
bleak picture for psoriasis sufferers everywhere; in
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reality, I am actually revealing a window of
opportunity.
How so? Well, if we look at the basics of how psoriasis
manifests in the first place, we can easily see that this autoimmune condition can easily be triggered by
stress.
Now, let me be clear on the topic of stress: your body
can be stressed by more than just your day-to-day
dealings with other people. Your body can experience
stress if you are not getting enough sleep.
You can be physiologically stressed if you are
dehydrated and eating junk food all the time. These are the dimensions of your diet and lifestyle that you need
to pay attention to, in order to ensure that you are not
stressing your body with how you live and eat.
Doctors agree that leading a healthy and clean life can
greatly reduce the frequency of flare-ups, because your
whole body (including your immune system) will be in
top condition at all times. Remember: you might feel
happy eating junk food and fast food all the time, but your body isn’t.
It is what is happening inside your body that truly
matters. If your body is stressed, various autoimmune
responses may suddenly manifest – including psoriasis.
Are you ready to start cleaning up your lifestyle and
diet?
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Follow these easy tips to get started on the right track:
o Start eating more fruits and vegetables to detoxify
your system. The human body can become
dependent on specific groups of food. For
example, if you are always eating out your body
may begin to crave cheeseburgers, French fries,
and other types of fast food.
The cravings exist because the body doesn’t know
any better: it’s all the body knows. You can
reverse a lifetime of bad eating habits by
introducing whole foods into your own diet
equation.
The change doesn’t have to be drastic and sudden
at all. For example, you can try to identify at least two vegetables that you’d like to sample during
lunch and dinner. If you do not like salads, you
don’t have to eat them.
There are many ways to prepare vegetables. The
resources that you will need to prepare vegetables
in a sumptuous manner are all available online,
and in countless print cookbooks.
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What about fruit? Too much sugar in one’s diet
can be problematic; some fruits contain too much
fructose or fruit sugars.
Choose fruit that is low to medium in the GI (glycemic index) and strive for three to four
servings per day.
Here are some examples of fruits that you can
snack on daily without the fear of consuming too
much fructose:
Tomato
Apricot
Pineapple
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Cherries
Raisins
Dates
Oranges
Grapefruit
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Pears
Kiwi fruit
Peaches
o Many adults from all walks of life are lacking in
sleep because of work, or just because they like
staying up late at night.
You may not feel the negative impact of having insufficient sleep every night, but your body is,
and it is doing what it can to survive.
There will come a time when your body will begin
to falter because of the lack of sleep and, when
this happens, your risk for serious health troubles
like increased risk for stroke, heart attack, and
cancer become all too real.
Adults need at least six hours of sleep every night.
Is five hours sufficient? No. You need that extra
hour of sleep, so be sure to meet this standard. If
you cannot get at least six hours of sleep at night,
try to go to bed earlier at night to meet this
requirement.
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Or do what others do: nap in the afternoon to get
that extra hour of sleep! Like exercise, the hours
of actual sleep that you get every day add up.
Don’t think for a moment that naps don’t count, because they do. Your body (including your brain)
needs sufficient rest. If it’s always tired and
gasping for more sleep, your psoriasis may
suddenly flare up, because of the stress your body
is experiencing.
o The human body is about seventy percent water.
That’s a lot of water, if you think about it, so think twice before filling your body with soda pop and
other unnatural ways of rehydrating your one and
only body.
If we get right down to it, the only thing that the
body needs from all those commercial drinks is
water itself. Water comprises 99.9% of the
beverages that we buy in supermarkets and
convenience stores worldwide.
Don’t like being cheated of your hard-earned
money? Stop buying soda pop and artificially
sweetened drinks, and feel the real difference in
how your body functions.
Also, volume matters: the eight US cups/glasses
rule still applies today! If people can drink liters of
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soda pop/diet soda, they can definitely drink liters
of pure, clean water every day.
o If you rarely talk to other people because you feel
that socializing is overrated, it’s time to break that
silence and reach out to others. Being isolated and
mum all the time can cause havoc in your body
and mind.
It is estimated that the depression that a person
experiences when he is isolated from the rest of
society can cause as much bodily damage as smoking 20 cigarettes a day.
You need to socialize with friends and family on a
regular basis. If you don’t, you are going to
experience a different type of stress that is equally
devastating: mental stress from social isolation.
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Tip # 2: Keep the Triggers in Mind
We have spent a considerable amount of time discussing the
many known triggers of psoriasis. The knowledge has been
given; the rest is up to you. You have to keep this
knowledge in mind at all times, so you can avoid triggering
your skin condition.
Some triggers, like cold and dry weather, are unavoidable,
but as for the rest of the known triggers, you can do a lot to
avoid them entirely. Stuff like smoking and drinking alcohol
can easily be remedied by simply saying no to these things.
Do not be discouraged by the number of known psoriasis
triggers. Think of this new knowledge as pure power: you
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can now do something to minimize the number of flare-ups
you have every month.
Tip # 3: Create a Psoriasis Journal
This may sound a little unappealing, but in order to really
manage your skin condition, you need to be familiar with its
own unique workings. You need to have an actual record of
when the breakouts occur, and what you were eating/doing
when the flare-up occurred.
You can also take note of the temperature of the
environment (e.g. hot, chilly, cool, etc.) and your location
when the psoriasis suddenly developed out of nowhere.
This detailed journal can really help your dermatologist
determine your strongest psoriatic triggers. You and your
doctor can brainstorm as to how you can better manage
your condition with the help of the information in your
psoriasis journal.
Now, your journal doesn’t have to be extremely technical in
order to be helpful. If you do not have a lot of time to write
entries on a daily basis and in a detailed manner, just write down concise details of flare-ups whenever they do arise.
Surely, writing down the date and a sentence or two won’t
be that hard, even for the busiest of career people.
Remember: you are doing this to manage your condition.
It is by no means a mindless chore. The information you will
be amassing in your psoriasis journal can help you figure out
how your own psoriasis works, and when it is most likely to
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come out to disturb your day. Each case of psoriasis is
unique.
Having a condition that others have does not mean that you
will be experiencing the same things as others in terms of frequency of breakouts. Your psoriasis will be strongly tied
to your own body’s genetic blueprint, diet, and lifestyle.
There is an urgent need to study these coordinates so you
can fully manage this skin problem.
Tip # 4: Take Better Care of Your Skin
In addition to keeping your skin clean and free of visible pollutants, it is also important to keep in mind that your skin
may be more sensitive to creams, lotions, scrubs, soaps,
patches, etc. In short, any product that comes into contact
with your skin has the potential to cause a sudden flare-up
of psoriasis.
I am not trying to frighten you, nor am I limiting your right
to try new skincare products. What I am merely pointing out
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is that you have to be more careful of the stuff that you put
on your skin.
Before applying any new lotion, soap, or cream on your skin,
test the product first on a small area the size of a coin, and let the product stay there for a few minutes to see if your
skin reacts to it.
If your skin does not react to the new product, progressively
increase the surface area until you are able to confirm that
indeed, the product does not trigger any autoimmune
responses in your skin.
Now, in an earlier section of the book I mentioned that there
is a strong correlation between smoking tobacco products and psoriasis flare-ups; be aware that OTC smoking
cessation devices, like nicotine patches, are contraindicated
for psoriasis. That’s right: wearing a nicotine patch on your
arm can cause a sudden breakout. Talk to your physician
about an alternative avenue (e.g. nicotine gum) instead.
Tip # 5: Manage Psoriatic Plaques Intelligently
Psoriatic plaques are the rough and extremely itchy patches
of skin that appear on affected areas of the body. These
affected areas must be managed intelligently if you do not
want to exacerbate the itch and the length of time that they
will be visible on your skin. Here are some important
reminders regarding the management of psoriatic
plaques/patches:
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1. Avoid scratching the plaques at all cost. Psoriatic skin
may seem tougher and more resistant to breaks but, in
reality, the rough patches that you feel on your elbows
or hands are just as fragile and prone to injury as normal skin. Rougher doesn’t necessarily mean more
durable, in this case. If you scratch the affected areas,
several things can happen:
a. The skin may become discolored. Darkening often
takes place when skin is repeatedly scratched.
b. The psoriatic plaque can become even thicker as a
consequence of having tiny breaks in the skin. The
body tries to defend itself by producing even more skin where you are scratching.
c. Breaks in the skin may become infected, which
may lead to more itchiness, inflammation, and
worst of all, infection.
d. The size of the affected area may increase when
you scratch at plaques.
People tend to pick and scratch itchy skin, because
scratching brings natural relief. This short-term relief
comes at a huge price. The most effective method of
preventing yourself from scratching plaques is by
keeping your mind occupied with work, or some other
activity.
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The itch will cease to bother you if your mind
preoccupied with something else. It won’t go away, but
the sensation of itchiness will be relegated to the back
of your mind where it won’t do much harm unless you
choose to pay attention to it.
Chronic itch may become a dull, harmless sensation if
you are able to teach yourself to ignore the sensation
altogether. Be strong; you can definitely do it!
2. Unless your psoriatic plaques are injured and extremely
inflamed, applying moisturizing agents (always choose
hypoallergenic brands) will do your skin a world of
good. Psoriatic skin is itchy primarily because it is often
drier than the rest of your skin.
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Cold weather can dry skin faster, so be sure to protect
yourself by applying moisturizers to affected areas
frequently. With the number of reliable moisturizers on
the market today I’m sure you can find a good brand
that suits your needs.
Again, I am not going to endorse any particular brand,
because that is not the purpose of this book. Just
choose a brand that has mostly natural ingredients and
focuses on moisturizing your skin.
Beautifying lotions and creams with fancy ingredients,
like vitamin A and vitamin E, are fine, but these
ingredients aren’t really that beneficial for psoriatic skin
(there is minimal proof that vitamin E can readily be absorbed and utilized at the surface level of the skin).
3. If your skin becomes extremely itchy to the point that
you can think of nothing else but to scratch it, grab a
cold compress and apply it directly to the affected
areas.
The numbing effect of the cold compress can help tame
inflammation, and can also help cut down the itchy sensation. It won’t be a permanent solution but at least
you can always use a cold compress when things seem
to be getting out of hand.
4. Menthol-based anti-itch creams and ointments appear
to be beneficial to psoriatic patients. If you can find an
emollient with menthol as its active ingredient, you can
use that to help tame the itch and keep your plaques
moisturized, and more supple, throughout the day.
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On the flipside, steroid-based anti-pruritic (anti-itch)
and anti-inflammatory creams can also be used to ease
the symptoms of psoriasis. Consult with your doctor as
to how much you should use and how frequently you should apply any cream that has steroids in it.
5. An age-old remedy seems to be effective in quelling the
itchiness brought about by psoriasis: oatmeal baths.
Not all oatmeal baths are the same, though. To
maximize the effectiveness of your long soaks in the
bathtub, ask your dermatologist for the appropriate
formula.
Your dermatologist will know what you should add to the water, what temperature the water should be, etc.
While effective, oatmeal baths may not work for some
people, so if it doesn’t help you, you don’t have to keep
doing it.
6. The soap or body wash that you use daily should be
free of any strong fragrances or perfumes. Skip the
brands that promise that you will smell like “ocean
spray” or “lilac blossoms.”
Soaps and body washes that are far too fragrant can
cause flare-ups and can irritate sensitive skin (not just
psoriatic skin). Opt for simple, fragrance-free body
washes that were designed specifically for people with
sensitive skin, or with skin conditions like psoriasis.
7. Some psoriatic patients like the idea of showering with
really hot water, because the temperature of the water
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can fizzle out the itchy sensation temporarily. While
you may feel some relief from the itchiness,
dermatologists do not recommend this at all. Cold and
hot water are not recommended for psoriatic skin.
Opt for showers that are warm (not scalding) and avoid
soaking yourself for prolonged periods of time (unless
you are in an oatmeal bath). Frequent showering is a
must, as this will keep your skin hydrated and naturally
clean.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In this part of the book, I will be answering the most
common questions that people have regarding psoriasis, so
people will be able to make more intelligent decisions regarding their condition without having to rely on hearsay
regarding this disease.
Q: Is psoriasis a rare or common occurrence?
A: Statistically speaking, psoriasis is very common. In the
United States alone it is estimated that almost eight million
people, from all walks of life, are affected by this
autoimmune condition.
You are not alone; in fact, more than one hundred thousand
new cases of psoriasis are document each year by hospitals
around the country. Of course, these statistics exclude
undiagnosed cases, and cases that have yet to see the light
of the day (e.g. doctor’s visit, trip to the hospital or clinic).
Q: What is the exact cause of this skin condition?
A: Frankly, no one really knows the exact cause of psoriasis. As I have mentioned before, the medical community is in
agreement that there is definitely a genetic and autoimmune
component to it. Also, it cannot be passed on from one
person to another, like other diseases. A psoriatic patient is
not contagious and never will be!
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Q: Is it possible for psoriatic plaques to appear on top
of eczematous skin?
A: No. The human skin has certain limitations in terms of expressing the symptoms of different skin conditions. This is
the reason why a reddish patch of skin can mean so many
different things. The only surefire way to get a 100% correct
diagnosis is by visiting your dermatologist.
Otherwise, that red patch of yours can really be anything.
Also, you can’t tell your condition apart from others just by
looking at pictures. Only a dermatologist is able to analyze
your case up close, to understand what is exactly happening
to your skin.
Now, there are some signs that a rough skin patch is most
likely psoriatic. For one, psoriatic skin is characteristically
flaky. Flaky skin is easy to remove; it doesn’t adhere to the
lower layer of the skin that much.
Another sign of psoriatic skin is shininess. Shiny skin is often
found underneath the flaky layer that can easily be
disturbed and removed when you pick at affected skin.
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Q: Is there a singular cure for psoriasis?
A: In terms of conventional medicine, the answer is sadly a
no. There is no known, fixed cure for psoriasis. In academic
circles, it has been suggested that gene modification may
one day be the answer that psoriasis sufferers have been
looking for.
Gene modification will alter the genes responsible for
triggering the psoriasis in the first place. Unfortunately, the
exact method and technology needed for this undertaking is
not yet in existence.
The closest that we have to a cure, without having to spend
money on supplements, drugs, creams, etc., is to be very
aware of the specific triggers that initiate your own flare-
ups. This is the main reason why we spent a considerable
amount of time discussing known triggers in a previous
section.
Q: Do I have a higher chance of suffering from an infection if my psoriatic plaques break and are
invaded by bacteria?
A: Scientific studies have shown that the type of bacteria
present in normal skin and psoriatic skin are essentially the
same. If we look at the volume of actively reproducing
bacteria, the number appears to be higher in psoriatic
plaques, or in the rough patches of skin that are affected by
psoriatic flare-ups.
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Though statistics may lead many to believe that they have a higher risk for sudden skin infections, dermatologists believe
that this does not pose any significant risk to psoriasis
sufferers. You can rest easy knowing that those unruly
psoriatic plaques are not in danger of infection, unless you
scratch them.
Q: Does psoriasis affect a person’s lifespan?
A: Some psoriasis patients feel that they are on their
deathbed, especially when a bad flare-up brings with it extreme itchiness that doesn’t abate, even with known home
remedies.
Fortunately, medical science has found no connection
between psoriasis and a person’s lifespan. Your skin may be
itchy, but it doesn’t mean you cannot strive to reach 100
years old. Again, you can breathe easy, as this disease will
not shorten your life at all!
Q: I have psoriasis of the scalp and I am afraid of
losing my hair because of this disease. Will this
disease become the cause of my premature baldness?
A: Simply put, no. People with psoriasis of the scalp can
experience some hair fallout because of flaking skin. To ease
this problem, you can use a shampoo with salicylic acid. This
is not a cure, but it will help reduce the hair fallout.
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But no, psoriasis will not cause large swaths of hair to fall
out for no reason. If you are balding now, it is probably
because of your genetic predisposition for thinning hair, and
a particular balding pattern, and has nothing to do with your
psoriasis.
Q: What should I do to care for my skin during the
winter season?
A: As a psoriasis patient, it is important that you devise a
specific skin care routine for each season. The summer
months are definitely warmer and, based on the existing
literature on psoriasis, you won’t be suffering from frequent
psoriatic flare-ups during this time of the year. It is different
when the winter months roll in.
When the air starts to become chilly and dry, you have to
apply emollients and other moisturizing agents more
frequently. A humidifier system will help keep the air in your
home moist, which may help keep your skin clear of flare-
ups during this time of the year.
As long as you are able to lock in some moisture in your skin
through a regular routine, flare-ups shouldn’t be too frequent at all. If this doesn’t work, you can consult with
your dermatologist for added measures to keep your skin
from breaking out in itchy plaques during winter.
Remember: you do not have to sacrifice your happiness and
functionality just because you have psoriasis. But you have
to take the appropriate action to ensure that this skin
condition does not get in the way of your social life and
work.
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If you do not take the right action, the flare-ups will become
a fact of life, because your body will be simply carrying out
what is written in its genetic code.
Q: I can be quite clumsy and I tend to accidentally end
up with superficial cuts/scratches on my skin. Will
this be a problem?
A: Yes. Scratches and other superficial breaks on the skin
can become a big problem for psoriasis sufferers, because
one of the known triggers of this disease is skin injury.
I am not saying that you will develop psoriatic plaques every
time you have a scratch, but it is possible that itchy lesions
will suddenly form on affected sites, even if you haven’t
scratched or picked at the area at all.
This sudden manifestation of psoriatic plaques simply means
that your skin is sensitive to injury. If you tend to bump and
tumble most of the time, it will help if you familiarized yourself with proper wound care and, of course, be more
careful so you don’t end up with regular skin injuries!
If you have psoriasis of the hands, and your work is
physically demanding and relies heavily on physical
exertions (e.g. driving, lifting things, etc.), wearing hand
protection just might do the trick.
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Of course, I won’t recommend this if your psoriasis is
triggered by friction (e.g. constant contact between skin and
any other material like leather or fabric).
Part 2: Treatment Toolbox
Conventional Treatments for Psoriasis
In a previous section, I touched upon the fact that there is
no singular cure for psoriasis and all its subtypes. By cure I
refer specifically to any drug or mode of treatment that will
completely eradicate all traces of the disease from a
patient’s body.
If you have been looking for this type of cure then I’m afraid
we have to wait a few more years (or decades), as the
medical community still doesn’t know how to treat this
condition from its very core – your genes.
Gene therapy for psoriasis is still being researched, and you
can expect that this type of therapy will be very expensive if
it does come into full fruition in the next couple of years.
What we will be discussing in this section are some
conventional medical treatments that have shown some
promise in terms of alleviating the symptoms of the disease.
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As you may already know, symptoms are merely
manifestations or expressions of a particular disease.
In most cases, psoriasis patients feel happy and satisfied if
they are able to find a way to tame their psoriasis outbreaks. This does not mean that they no longer have
psoriasis. It just means that they were able to manage their
symptoms well, and they have become fully functional and
happy with life again.
This is our main goal: to lay down the available avenues of
effective symptom management, so this skin disease will not
become a hindrance in your life.
It is important for you to realize that this disease will be
around for a very long time. Spontaneous remissions are
extremely rare, so don’t bank your hopes on a miraculous,
instant disappearance of this disease, because there is only
a one in a million chance of that actually taking place.
What we can do now is to manage your disease by avoiding
triggers, living a healthier life, and by taking advantage of the available treatments for this condition.
Now, when you visit your dermatologist for treatment
recommendations, your doctor will probably ask you a few
questions regarding your physical condition and emotional
state.
Many psoriasis patients become anxious and depressed
because of the physical appearance of the lesions on their
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skin. It can be difficult to function normally if a person thinks
that he looks horrible because of his lesions and rashes.
If you have a mild case of psoriasis, your doctor will have no
real reason to recommend a systemic treatment for your disease.
Again, I have to emphasize that you should really be more
focused on the maintenance needed to keep the flare-ups to
a minimum. But this does not mean that you do not need to
seek treatment for this disease.
Dermatologists around the world still recommend that you
get checked out at once if you think you have psoriasis.
Psoriasis doesn’t go into remission instantly, but if you are
already suffering from prolonged and severe symptoms of
the condition, there is no reason for you not to seek help.
In fact, you should schedule an appointment with a dermatologist as soon as possible if you think you have
psoriasis. Your doctor will be able to advise you as to what
the next step should be.
Below are some of the convention treatments for psoriasis
available at the present time:
Treatment Option # 1: Topical Agents
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There are two things that you must always remember if you
want to keep your psoriasis at bay. One, your skin must
always be physically clean. Second, it has to be moisturized
as much as possible.
You can maintain the clarity and cleanliness of your skin by
washing affected areas often with pure water, and by
showering frequently.
Short, but frequent, showers throughout the day will
naturally clean and hydrate your skin. Of course, not
everyone has the luxury of time to shower three or four
times per day.
This is where emollients and other moisturizing agents come in. You can easily apply emollients even when you are at
work. Let me clarify though: emollients are applied topically
to keep your skin hydrated to prevent drying and itchiness.
These products don’t treat your psoriasis; they are merely
applied to manage the moisture level of your skin. If your
skin is always clean and moisturized, it is unlikely that you
will feel the urge to scratch, because even the psoriatic
plaques will be soft and supple to touch.
A daily skin regimen is necessary in addition to applying
ointments and creams that address itch and inflammation of
affected skin. Here are some of the most commonly
prescribed topical agents for psoriasis.
Again, these topical agents will not eradicate the psoriasis;
they are only capable of mediating some of the symptoms of
the disease.
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Let us take a look at the features, pros, and cons of topical
agents that are often used to treat the symptoms of
psoriasis:
Calcipotriene/calcipotriol
One of the first topical agents used to ease the
symptoms of psoriasis. Calcipotriene has been around
for many years, and is definitely a favorite for many
dermatologists.
When applied, it has been said that the beneficial
effects of calcipotriene is comparable to that of the
effects of steroid-based topical agents for psoriasis.
If this topical agent is able to tame your psoriasis after
the recommended number of days, it is also possible
that it will be able to cut down the number of flare-ups
or breakouts in the future as well.
If used properly and under the guidance of your
dermatologist, calcipotriene shouldn’t cause any severe
side effects at all.
If you are allergic to the active ingredient itself, you
may notice some irritation where you have applied the
topical agent. Apart from minor skin irritation, no
significant side effects have been documented for
calcipotriene.
Calcipotriene is a derivative of vitamin D, but is not
equivalent to the dietary vitamin D found in fortified
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eggs and dairy products. Therefore, you cannot get the
same benefits of calcipotriene by eating foods rich in
vitamin D.
A vitamin D rich diet may help alleviate other health conditions, but there is no conclusive proof that
correlates the efficacy of dietary vitamin D in
alleviating the symptoms of psoriasis.
Calcipotriene may not be applied to any part of the
face, as it has not been indicated as safe or effective
for facial skin.
Facial skin tends to be thinner and more prone to
irritation, so unless your dermatologist tells you otherwise, don’t use this topical agent on the face.
Also, do not forget to wash your hands after applying
calcipotriene to the affected parts of your skin.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are very common topical agents, and can be purchased easily anywhere in the country. They
are used primarily to quell itching and to reduce the
inflammation of skin. Corticosteroids are prescribed for
a variety of skin ailments, not just psoriasis.
Not all corticosteroids are the same. You cannot just
buy any brand of corticosteroid and expect excellent
results.
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Each brand and variant has its own specific formulation
and strength. Your dermatologist will be able to tell
you which brand is best suited for your type of
psoriasis.
Some cases of psoriasis are mild and would only
require low to medium strength corticosteroids.
On the flipside, some people have very aggressive
psoriasis, and therefore, more powerful corticosteroids
may be used to control the itching and inflammation of
the psoriatic plaques.
If your psoriasis is very aggressive in the beginning
because it hasn’t been treated yet, your treatment regimen may begin with a very potent corticosteroid
with a higher volume of active ingredients, and after
that, the dosage may be altered to fit the reaction of
your skin.
Some dermatologists will also change the prescription
altogether, so you won’t have to use a very potent variant all the time. If your psoriasis becomes “tame”
or more manageable, you will most likely downgrade
to a milder corticosteroid.
Topical corticosteroids are generally prescribed by
dermatologists if the psoriasis is mild, and the skin
area affected does not exceed ten percent of the total
skin surface area. This topical agent has been proven
effective for guttate psoriasis.
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More potent corticosteroids may be needed to alleviate
inflammation in areas, such as the knees
Anthralin
May be used on psoriatic plaques on the arms, hands,
etc., as well as the scalp. One of the more well-known
treatments for psoriasis of the scalp.
This topical agent helps people with psoriasis by
controlling the skin generation in affected areas of the
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body. It must be applied to the affected areas, as it is
not a systemic remedy.
Anthralin stands out from all the other topical agents
for psoriasis because it can be safely used on large areas of affected skin.
In contrast with corticosteroids, anthralin must only
stay on the affected parts of the skin for twenty to sixty
minutes. After the prescribed period of time, the topical
agent must be washed off cleanly.
If the anthralin is applied to the scalp, you can apply
shampoo to rinse your hair and scalp. Anthralin is
generally applied only once per day to control the symptoms of psoriasis.
Severe psoriasis will require a higher dosage of
anthralin. If your psoriasis is mild, and your
dermatologist recommends that you to apply anthralin,
you will probably be prescribed with a low-strength
variant.
Don’t fret though: dermatologists will match the strength of the topical agent with the severity of the
skin problem. If you are prescribed a low-strength
variant, you can probably leave the ointment/cream on
the affected area for twelve to twenty-four hours before
washing/shampooing it off.
Anthralin therapy is often performed in conjunction
with other topical therapies for psoriasis, such as using
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corticosteroids. Ask your dermatologist if your specific
type of psoriasis will benefit from dual therapy.
There are some known side effects when you undergo
anthralin therapy for any measure of time:
o Temporary staining of the skin. The staining will
disappear after you have stopped anthralin
therapy.
o Discoloration of grey hair strands. Expect some
pink hair strands if you apply this on your hair
(people with brown, black, red and blond hair
strands need not worry much).
o Discoloration of the lower layer of the skin (skin
may turn red). This type of discoloration may take
longer to disappear (at least a few weeks).
Coal tar
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Coal tar may also be applied to psoriatic plaques to
ease inflammation and itchiness. This topical agent is
often recommended alongside other psoriasis
treatments, such as ultraviolet light treatment. Unlike
other topical agents, coal tar can be acquired from pharmacies without the need for a prescription from a
dermatologist.
Coal tar can be found in a wide variety of topical
preparations, including ointments and skin creams. The
strength and formulation of each brand varies, so it is
best to ask your dermatologist how potent the coal tar
preparation should be so you can find a good brand
yourself.
More often than not, dermatologists have their own
stockpile of ready-to-purchase skin care products, so if
you do not want to drive far, ask your doctor if his
clinic dispenses this type of topical preparation.
When used in conjunction with ultraviolet light therapy,
treatment with coal tar is called Goeckerman
Treatment. This type of therapy for psoriasis typically
lasts for at least two weeks to up to three weeks, depending on the severity of the psoriasis and the
reaction of the skin to the coal tar.
In the Goeckerman Treatment, about eight hours is
needed every time the coal tar and UV light are used.
As such, this type of treatment is often performed in a
doctor’s clinic, or in a similar facility.
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A tripartite approach has also been developed in recent
years: ultraviolet light therapy is combined with coal
tar and regular applications of anthralin. This approach
to alleviating the symptoms of psoriasis is called the
Ingram Regimen.
Why is coal tar recommended for psoriasis? After
repeated applications, the psoriatic plaques tend to
become less inflamed and less red. The itchiness also
goes away to a certain degree.
It must be noted early on that on its own it is not the
most effective approach to alleviating the symptoms of
psoriasis. But when it is used in combination with other
treatments, it becomes more effective.
Based on the current examinations performed by the
United States Food and Drug Administration, coal tar
does not pose any significant risks to human health.
This topical agent rarely causes side effects. Care must
be taken when applying the topical agent to the
sensitive areas around the eyes. Unlike anthralin, coal
tar preparations can be safely applied on the face, should psoriatic plaques appear in this part of the body.
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Retinoids
Like coal tar, retinoids are often used in conjunction with other types of psoriasis treatments. Retinoids are
a derivative of vitamin A, and come in both oral and
topical preparations.
The medical community is in disagreement as to how
retinoids actually help alleviate symptoms of the
disease. What we do know is that, when you apply
retinoids on affected areas, the plaque build-up tends
to slow down, and this greatly helps improve the
appearance of the affected site.
Retinoids are often prescribed for pustular psoriasis.
Topical retinoids are given to patients who have mild to
moderate cases of psoriasis. In most cases, patients
respond readily to the regular application of retinoids,
as the effect of the topical agent is enhanced by other
therapies.
In the event that the psoriasis does not go into
remission, a dermatologist may choose to prescribe a
more powerful and potent formulation that can be
taken orally as a retinoid pill.
While many people believe that they will be using
special skin creams forever, this is actually not the
case. As we have already discussed in a previous
section, a dermatologist can easily change the
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prescription for a patient, depending on the actual
response of the psoriatic plaques to the topical agent.
It is also possible that a therapy will be ended
completely when the plaques finally go away. It all depends on how insistent the disease is in expressing
itself through the skin.
Known side effects of retinoid therapy include hair loss
and changes in the skin’s thickness. It is also possible
that you will develop some sensitivity to natural
sunlight as a result of continued exposure to the topical
agent.
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Treatment Option # 2: Phototherapy (UVB & PUVA)
If you have moderately aggressive psoriasis that covers
up to twenty percent of your total skin area (this is
equivalent to having plaques on both of your arms
including your hands), you may want to look into
phototherapy.
Phototherapy involves using ultraviolet B (UVB light) to
treat psoriasis. UVB occurs naturally in sunlight, but in varying degrees.
When a dermatologist performs phototherapy on you,
everything is controlled, and your skin will only receive
a specific amount of UVB in a set period of time, so you
won’t get sunburned.
Phototherapy has been in use for many years now in
dermatological circles around the world because of its versatility, and its ability to naturally heal human skin
that is afflicted with different types of conditions.
Phototherapy is not as invasive or impractical as many
people think. On the average, a psoriatic patient will
only have to undergo phototherapy up to three times
every seven days.
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Compare this with more intensive methods, like the
Goeckerman Technique, and you can see just how
practical this approach is to alleviating symptoms of
psoriasis.
Another form of phototherapy exists: PUVA therapy.
PUVA stands for psoralen and ultraviolet A light. The
first form of phototherapy makes use of ultraviolet B or
UVB. Psoralen is a drug that is taken orally prior to the
patient’s exposure to the UVA light. After several weeks
of therapy, patients often note a marked improvement
in their psoriasis.
In terms of safety ratings phototherapy with UVB light
has a higher safety rating. However, this comes with a price: in terms of effectiveness, PUVA therapy is
considered more potent than UVB therapy.
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Treatment Option # 3: Oral Medications
In the event that topical agents and phototherapy do not
produce the target results expected by the dermatologist,
another line of offense may be set up through oral
medications.
Take note that, most of the time, dermatologists skip oral
medications if the psoriasis can be tamed through topical
agents and phototherapy.
If these treatment avenues do not work, the dermatologist
may choose to employ more powerful measures to counter-
act the severe symptoms of psoriasis. Below are the most
common oral medications prescribed/recommended for psoriasis:
Methotrexate
Methotrexate is an anti-psoriatic drug that can be taken
orally. The patient may choose to take the drug in one
large dose once a week. If this does not work for him,
he may opt for three separate doses that can be taken
twelve hours apart.
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In the event that the patient does not want to take this
drug orally, he also has the option of having the drug
injected once every seven days.
Ask your dermatologist about your options when taking
methotrexate, if other treatment methods have failed
to control your psoriatic flare-ups.
Like anthralin and coal tar, methotrexate helps
psoriasis patients by decreasing the rate at which skin
forms in the body. Psoriatic plaques are scaly and itchy
because of increased skin production in these areas.
Theoretically, if the accelerated skin growth is
addressed, the associated symptoms of psoriasis
should go away as well.
Methotrexate is not normally prescribed for people with
mild to moderate psoriasis. This oral medication is
usually given to patients who have very aggressive
subtypes of the disease. Aggressive psoriasis can cover
more than twenty percent of a person’s body.
Again, twenty percent of a person’s skin area is
equivalent to both his arms including the hands.
Oral medications, in general, are considered the final
frontier if all modes of therapy have already been
exhausted, and no change have been noted in the
affected areas of the body.
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This drug cannot be used by patients with kidney, liver,
blood, and stomach issues. Patients who are currently
medicating for contagious illnesses should finish their
current medications first before starting on
methotrexate.
A person who is taking methotrexate must regularly
consult with a physician to check if his organs are
clearing/handling the drug well. Do not take this drug if
you have no plans of having yourself checked out
during the duration of your treatment for psoriasis.
Oral retinoid preparations
Retinoids can be applied topically or taken orally. Examples of oral retinoid preparations are tazarotene
and acitretin. The term retinoid refers to a class of
vitamin A derivatives used to treat medical ailments,
such as psoriasis.
Oral retinoid preparations may be taken once every two
days or, in more severe cases, seven times a week.
Oral retinoid preparations must never be taken more
than once per day, as these are very potent drugs with very strong formulations.
Taking more than the recommended dosage may result
in severe side effects, like increased blood cholesterol
levels and liver problems.
Cyclosporine
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Cyclosporine, unlike other treatments for psoriasis,
does not directly act upon the pace of skin
regeneration. Instead, it acts as an immunosuppressant
agent.
Psoriasis has an autoimmune component; this drug
acts upon this major component of the disease. When
the immune system is suppressed, one of the direct
effects would be the slowdown of skin regeneration.
This drug is available as an oral preparation, and can
also be injected directly into the body. The exact
dosage and formulation will depend on the severity of
your psoriasis, your age, and your weight.
Cyclosporine has been known to cause some notable
side effects, including increased blood pressure and
kidney problems. This drug should never be taken if the
psoriasis patient has already undergone PUVA therapy
(psoralen + ultraviolet A phototherapy).
Cyclosporine can instigate skin cancer in individuals
who have undergone PUVA therapy. This is a real risk,
so be very wary of the idea of combining the two treatments or using them in succession.
Biologic agents
Biologic agents, or TNF antagonists, can be used to
counteract specific immune signals in the body that
may contribute to psoriatic flare-ups. TNF stands for
tumor necrosis factor. Biologics are comprised mainly
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of special proteins that have a direct impact on the
immune responses of the body.
Biologic agents can be given as oral medication or as
an injection, to be given once or a few times per week. The drug is injected under the skin.
TNF antagonists are not as effective as fast-acting as
other treatments, but they are generally safer. The
known side effects of biologic agents are nausea,
fatigue, and fever.
Natural Remedies & Better Home Management
Now that we are done discussing conventional methods of
treating the disease, it is time to explore natural avenues of
easing the symptoms, as well as some no-nonsense tips that
will make home management of the disease a piece of cake.
1. Vinegar – The itchiness caused by thick psoriatic
plaques can be maddening. If you cannot function well
with that nagging itch at the back of your mind, you
can try a vinegar bath to help ease the itchiness.
Simply fill your tub with lukewarm (note: not scalding
hot) water, and pour 1-2 US cups of pure apple cider
vinegar.
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Regular apple cider vinegar from the grocery is fine;
you do not have to buy more expensive varieties. Soak
for a few minutes until your skin absorbs the lukewarm
vinegar infusion. Feel free to shower afterward to
remove the vinegary smell.
If the smell doesn’t bother you, or if it is very mild, feel
free to just rinse off. Some patients use this technique
at night before going to bed. The mild smell of the
vinegar will probably not cause any serious problems,
since you are going to rinse off after a long soak.
Pure apple cider vinegar can also be applied directly to
the affected skin. To make things more convenient,
pour a small amount of pure apple cider vinegar to a plastic/glass spray bottle.
When your skin feels itchy, spritz a small amount on
tips of your fingers, and apply gently on the affected
skin. Remember: don’t scratch or pick at the plaques!
If you want the vinegar to act upon your diseases from the inside, you can also make a vinegar-honey infusion
called honegar. A simple honegar can be made with 1
US cup of warm water, 1 tablespoon of apple cider
vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of pure organic honey.
Sip at this concoction until it is finished. Supporters of
this folk remedy claim that honegar can reduce
itchiness, and may even help cut down the frequency of
flare-ups.
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2. Epsom salts – An Epsom salts infusion during your
daily soak can help remove the dry, scaly skin on top of
the plaques. You will need a quarter of a cup of Epsom
salts. Add the Epsom salts to your bathtub, and be sure to soak the affected areas for at least fifteen minutes.
During this time, your skin will soften, and the scaly
skin will drop off on its own. There is no need to rub
the affected areas at all, as the Epsom salts will take
care of that for you. Do not apply Epsom salts directly
on your psoriatic plaques!
3. Wheat germ, castor & sunflower oils – These three
oils can be combined to produce a very natural and
very soothing moisturizing agent. You will need half a
teaspoon of wheat germ oil, half a teaspoon of castor oil, and one half US cup of sunflower oil.
Make sure that your oils are organic and pure, with no
additional fragrances or chemicals. After combining the
three oils, take a small amount and apply gently to the
plaques.
These oils have known restorative and antibiotic
effects, so you can be sure that your plaques will stay
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hydrated and free of bacterial invaders as well. Feel
free to reapply the oily emollient whenever you feel like
it.
If it works for you, be happy knowing that this mixture is very hypoallergenic, and does not cause side effects.
You can use it every day if you like, if it really helps in
reducing dryness and itchiness of your plaques.
4. Vitamin E – Vitamin E supplementation may help ease
the itching associated with psoriasis. You will need no
less than eight hundred international units of vitamin E
every day if you want to supplement the treatment of
psoriasis.
5. Fish oil – Fish oil is a known wonder supplement
because of its heart-healthy benefits. But did you know
that the heart-healthy advantages of fish oil (derived
largely from the presence of omega 3 fatty acids) can
also be used to manage psoriasis?
According to current research, the anti-inflammatory properties of omega 3 fatty acids can also help
psoriasis patients by reducing the inflammation of
psoriatic plaques.
You will need between 2000 – 3000 mg of fish oil every
day to achieve good results with this type of natural
therapy.
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Be careful though – fish oil supplements are not
recommended for individuals with a history of stomach
ulcers and hyperacidity, as it may exacerbate such
conditions.
If you are unsure, ask your doctor first before buying
fish oil supplements. Also, make sure that you are
really getting 2000/3000 milligrams of pure fish oil and
not other ingredients.
6. Goldenseal – ¼ teaspoon of goldenseal infusion or
tincture can be used to detoxify the body. Taken once
daily for a total of ten days, this natural herbal remedy
may help the body cleanse itself of unsavory toxins and
waste products. Indirectly, this may help reduce the onset of psoriatic flare-ups.
7. Milk thistle – If the idea of applying topical agents and
taking oral medication for psoriasis seems unappealing
to you, here’s a natural remedy that is definitely worth
looking at: milk thistle.
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Extracts of this herbal remedy can be found easily in
natural health stores. You will need at least three
hundred milligrams of pure extract.
Alternative health practitioners believe that this herbal remedy can help slow down the pace of skin growth
throughout the body. Perfect for psoriasis, indeed!
Additionally, milk thistle is a live-protective herbal
remedy.
8. Gotu Kola – If you have been looking for a restorative
remedy for your psoriatic plaques, gotu kola just might
help you. This world-renowned remedy has natural
healing properties, and may help cut down the healing
time of plaques that have breaks on them. It also has some anti-inflammatory properties as well. You will
need to take two hundred milligrams of this
supplement daily.
9. Natural sunlight – While it is true that sunburns
should be avoided at all costs, this doesn’t mean that
the sun does not have anything positive to contribute
to the fight against psoriasis.
Exposure to natural sunlight can definitely help reduce
psoriasis flare-ups, as long as the exposure is not too
long, and you apply sunscreen products frequently
throughout the day.
10. Diet culprits – Some people develop psoriatic
plaques after consuming certain foods or beverages. If
this happens to you frequently, try to write down the
foods that you eat on a daily basis and, when the
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psoriasis strikes, you can narrow down your list of
culprits. You can add this information to your existing
psoriasis journal.
11. Capsaicin – Capsaicin is oil that is naturally derived from chilies. Essential capsaicin oil may help
reduce itchiness and dryness of psoriatic plaques.
Be careful when applying essential oils though; many of
these oils are so potent that they can cause trouble if
applied directly. Consult with a dermatologist or an
experienced alternative health practitioner to learn how
you can apply such oils safely to affected areas.
You can also try primrose oil and oregano oil, as these oils have also shown promise in terms of reducing
inflammation and itchiness of affected skin.
12. Psoriatic scalp – Pure apple cider vinegar can be
used as an organic wash for your scalp if plaques have
appeared in this area. Wash the area for a few minutes
with pure vinegar and let the skin absorb it first. Wash
off the vinegar afterward, and feel free to shampoo as
well.
13. Special shampoos can help – Extremely
fragrant shampoos are a definite no-no when you
psoriasis of the scalp.
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However, if you can find organic shampoos with
ingredients like jojoba oil, you are definitely on the
right track. Jojoba oil can help soothe the itch on the
scalp, and can help reduce the incidence of scratching (which can then lead to more itchiness, scaly skin and
even bleeding).
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