Psoriasis is a common, poorly understood condition that affects the skin and sometimes the nails whose symptoms are red, inflamed skin, covered by scales which flake easily. Affected areas can appear all over the body and can be very itchy but it is mostly concentrated on the arms (elbows), legs (knees) and trunk and occasionally effect the face and scalp. Fingernails and toenails can also be effects with typical symptoms being ridges down the nails, white colour pits, yellowish spots and thickness to the nails edge. The current theory amongst doctors is that psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory response by the body's own immune system which seems to target its own cells but the exact cause of psoriasis is not known. The response makes the body replicate new skin cells at a very fast rate, 1000 times quicker than normal skin, which leads to a build up of plaque-like flakes within days. For those people who have a suppressed immune system, the symptoms of psoriasis become a lot worst. As well as an unhealthy bowel, incomplete protein digestion, impaired liver function, excessive consumption of animal fats, alcohol, stress, sugar, caffeine and lack of sunshine can make the symptoms of psoriasis flare up. However, people with the condition of psoriasis often do not want to be out in the sunshine where their condition is on show. Dietary change can help with psoriasis, avoid alcohol, gluten which is found in wheat, barley and rye, avoid foods that are high in saturated fats, avoid red meats, dairy products, eggs, cheese and sugar and if you are a smoker, then it is best to quit. Topical applications to the affected areas of aloe vera gel, Dead Sea mineral salts or mud, Zambesia Botanica, mahonia ointment and gotu kola can all improve psoriasis. Good supplements to take are fish oil, milk thistle, artichoke extracts and selenium. Other therapies that may help with psoriasis are acupuncture, light therapy, hypnotic and stress-reduction techniques. The following supplements may help if you are suffering from Psoriasis. Aloe Folic acid Artichoke extracts Barberry Burdock Capsaicin cream (topical) Coleus Fish oil Milk thistle Oregon grape Selenium Fumaric acid esters |
