What is Psoriasis?

There are 5 main types of psoriasis, namely plaque, inverse, guttate, erythrodermic and pustular. Plaque is the most common form of psoriasis and is characterized by white and red scaly patches on the topmost layer of the skin. Plaque is the most common form of psoriasis and is characterized by white and red scaly patches on the topmost layer of the skin.

Types of skin problems

Plaque psoriasis affects the elbows and knees but may also be seen on the palms, feet, scalp, and genitals. This is a chronic skin condition that may either be seen in some parts of the body or may cover the entire body. Even the nails on the fingers and toes can get affected by this form of psoriasis. Joint inflammation can also be caused by psoriasis which can lead to psoriatic arthritis.
Erythrodermic psoriasis, on the other hand, is characterized by an exfoliation and inflammation of the skin all over the body. Patients affected by this form of psoriasis often experience pain, swelling, and severe itching. Plaque psoriasis can turn into erythrodermic psoriasis especially when treatment is discontinued before the symptoms start subsiding.

If left untreated erythrodermic psoriasis can even be fatal as the extreme inflammation can hinder the body from regulating temperature. Pustular psoriasis is characterized by pus-filled raised bumps on the skin surface and generally affects random body parts. Guttate psoriasis refers to small red or pink, scaly teardrop-shaped lesions that are typically visible on larger areas of the body such as the scalp, trunk, and limbs.

Places on the body most commonly affected by psoriasis include the elbows, knees, scalp, and sacral areas. The nails are involved in about one-half of cases, with pitting, breaking, thickening under the nail, or thickening of the nail itself. Also, between 10 and 30 per cent of people with psoriasis suffer from psoriatic arthritis, which can be quite painful. Because of the chronic, difficult nature of psoriasis, professional help is needed in all but the least severe cases.

There appear to be many reasons why some people develop psoriasis, and others do not. It has a tendency to be inherited—about one-third of those who have it have another family member with psoriasis. Several studies have documented the relationship between specific stresses and the start and flare-ups of psoriasis. Almost half of all people with psoriasis report that a specific stressful event occurred within one month before the first episode of psoriasis.

How do you get rid of psoriasis naturally

1. Herbal liver tonics, together with tissue and blood cleansers, or alternatives, form the most important initial part of herbal treatment for psoriasis. Slightly less important are nerve tonics, or nervines, which soothe the nerves and lessen the itching of psoriasis.

Aloe Vera Gel

• Applying aloe vera gel to the lesions can help.
• Dr Andrew Weil reported that 83 per cent of psoriasis patients who applied aloe vera cream three times a day for up to four weeks noted an improvement.
• Dr Weil recommends using pure aloe vera gel instead of an aloe vera cream that contains other ingredients.

Apple Cider Vinegar

• Apple-cider vinegar diluted in water can be used to temporarily help relieve itching and scaling.
• Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can also be diluted in three to four times as much lukewarm water and poured over the head, Rubbed in, left for one minute, and then rinsed out.
• Or you can add 1/2 cup of cider vinegar to a tubful of bathwater to help restore acidity to the skin.

Banana Peel

• Banana peel is a key ingredient in Exorex.
• This is a potion concocted from coal tar and a specific essential fatty acid from the banana peel that is associated with the immune system.
• Reportedly, the idea was derived from Zulu folklore, in which banana peels have been used for a variety of skin ailments for years.

Burdock Root

• Burdock root can help improve flare-ups of psoriasis.
• Take 20 to 40 drops of tincture three times a day.

Chamomile

• Chamomile is widely used in Europe for treating psoriasis.
• It contains anti-inflammatory flavonoid compounds.
• If you have ragweed allergies, however,
• Do not use chamomile, as it is a member of the ragweed family.

Castor Oil

• Castor oil is particularly helpful when left overnight on thick, small, well-circumscribed lesions.
• If cold-pressed castor oil is mixed with baking soda,

it has been found to greatly improve thick, scaly heel skin, as long as the skin isn’t cracked.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper has anti-inflammatory properties and helps with healing. Two clinical trials reviewed in the November 1998 issue of Archives of Dermatology reported that 0.025 per cent capsaicin cream, made from hot peppers, works to reduce the redness and scaling in psoriasis. Capsaicin cream is available over the counter as Capzasin-P or Zostrix.

• It should be used for over six weeks.
• Care should be taken not to apply it to broken skin.
• 9. Common figwort helps to clear psoriatic plaques.
• The recommended dose is 2 millilitres of the tincture, taken twice a day.

Dandelion

•  The dandelion tincture is useful for stimulating bile flow and clearing toxins out of the system.
• It is frequently combined with yellow dock (see below) for this purpose.
• The recommended dose is 30 to 60 drops twice a day.

Echinacea

Echinacea tincture is occasionally used for psoriasis. It boosts the immune system and so may decrease the incidence of colds, which can lead to flare-ups in some individuals.

• The recommended dose is 20 to 30 drops three times a day for up to ten days.
• Stop for two weeks, then repeat.
• 12. Emu oil contains essential fatty acids and may be helpful for psoriasis.
• Apply it to the lessons as directed by the manufacturer.

Flaxseed Oil

• Flaxseed oil is chemically similar to fish oil and helps treat psoriasis.
• Adding flaxseed oil to salad dressing is a good way to get this helpful supplement into your diet.
• Take 1%2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily.
• Applied to affected areas twice a day is said to help heal psoriasis.
• Avocado, garlic, and walnut oils
• applied topically twice a day to the psoriatic patches, are equally helpful for moisturizing and healing.

Fumitory

•  Fumitory contains fumaric acid, which is very helpful for psoriasis.
• Make a strong tea from fumitory and apply it to the affected areas with a cotton ball twice a day.

Garlic

•  Garlic is detoxifying and includes several sulfur-containing compounds.
• Sulfur deficiency may contribute to psoriasis.
• Take three to six garlic capsules daily.

Goldenseal

Goldenseal tincture helps to clear the body of toxins that lead to flare-ups. Take 20 to 30 drops twice a day for up to ten days at a time.

Gotu Kola

• Gotu kola extract reduces inflammation and speeds skin healing.
• In India, it has been used for psoriasis for hundreds of years.
• Take 200 milligrams three times a day for one month.

Liquid Licorice

Liquid liquorice extract applied directly to the affected areas with a cotton ball, is felt by some naturopaths to work as well as corticosteroid creams.

Milk Thistle

• Milk thistle cleanses and protects the liver, increases bile flow, and helps in blood purification.
• It also helps to correct the abnormal cell replication present in psoriasis.
• Take 300 milligrams of milk thistle extract three times a day.

Neem Seed oil

• Neem seed oil, an Ayurvedic herbal remedy
• It is highly recommended by some psoriasis sufferers.
• It was introduced to the United States in 1994 from India and Pakistan.
• Neem lotions are usually found in East Indian markets.