(collaborative) Many of us either suffer from or know someone that suffers from a skin condition called Psoriasis. This skin condition affects around 1.8 million people in the UK. Although there are medicines for the condition they do not address the cause merely provide relief from the symptoms. This post looks at A Natural Approach to Treat Psoriasis.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin condition (caused by the immune system not working properly). It results in excessive skin cell multiplication. The result is red inflamed skin with silvery scales. This will most commonly affect the knees, elbows, scalp, lower back. Psoriasis runs in families with one in three sufferers having a close relative with the condition. It isn’t just a painful condition, it can also take an emotional toll on those that have it.
Seven Different Types of Psoriasis
Plaque Psoriasis
The most common type of psoriasis. Patients present with raised red patches and a build up of dead skin or scales known as plaques. It most commonly occurs on the knees, elbows and the scalp. Symptoms include itchiness and tenderness.
Nail Psoriasis
Many afflicted with psoriasis will notice changes in their nails. Symptoms included nail pitting, tenderness and pain. The nail separates from the nail bed and also appears discoloured (yellow/brown).
Guttate Psoriasis
Most frequently found in children this form of psoriasis is characterized by numerous small, red drop-like scaly macules that develop rapidly over a wide area of skin. They will most often appear after an infection such as strep throat.
Psoriatic Arthritis
As if having arthritis or psoriasis wasn’t enough, here you get both. Symptoms can range from mild to more severe in any joint in the body. Sufferers experience stiffness and joint damage.
Inverse psoriasis
This occurs mainly in the armpits, groin, between the buttocks and under the breasts. Skin usually appears pink and irritated.
Other rarer types of psoriasis include Erythrodermic Psoriasis and Pustular Psoriasis.
Psoriasis Triggers
Aside from the fact this is due to an immune dysfunction, psoriasis has triggers that can cause flare ups.
These include: smoking, stress, drinking alcohol in excess, other immune disorders, throat infections, some medication, hormonal changes, particularly in women.
Obviously, some triggers are easier to avoid than others.
A Natural Approach to Treat Psoriasis
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (which includes “the mother”)
Organic apple cider vinegar is often used by those with psoriasis on the scalp due to its antiseptic properties. Apply directly to the affected area and leave it for approx 10 minutes. Then wash with a natural shampoo. Do this a few times a week.
Alternatively, you take a teaspoon twice a day or use it in your food. There are some more palatable apple cider vinegar options available now which is great. This has an anti-inflammatory effect when taken internally.
Go Gluten Free
It is often advised for psoriasis sufferers to switch to a gluten-free diet. Those with this condition are often more sensitive to gluten and studies have shown that adjusting to a gluten-free diet can reduce symptoms.
Oils
People talk about fish oils being great for psoriasis yet studies have shown that taking them intravenously is best at reducing the symptoms of psoriasis. Taking them orally doesn’t have the same effect.
Essential oils (external use) can help in relieving some psoriasis symptoms according to dermatologists. Although some dispute the efficacy of essential oils they do have their benefits and some have plenty of research to show they do have anti-inflammatory effects which would be beneficial for conditions such as psoriasis.
Vitamin D
Studies have shown that psoriasis sufferers are often deficient in vitamin D. Although a deficiency doesn’t cause psoriasis it a deficiency is thought to be a contributing factor. Use of a topical vitamin D treatment can improve and even suppresses the plaque.
Epson or Dead Sea Salt
We all know that swimming in the sea can be beneficial for the skin. It’s not always an option though. The next best thing is Espon or Dead Sea Salts. The salt can reduce redness and inflammation.
Summary
It goes without saying that using natural and organic products where possible on the skin is the best option. A healthy diet can also work wonders when it comes to reducing symptoms. There are certain fruits and vegetables that can be especially beneficial for psoriasis. These include beetroot, berries and grapes, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, dark green leafy vegetables and carrots. Using a range of natural treatments such as those suggested can make a marked difference to the intensity of symptoms and should be incorporated into lifestyle habits.
If you suffer from psoriasis always check with your doctor prior to trying anything that they haven’t discussed with you.
Would you or anyone you know with psoriasis prefer A Natural Approach to Treat Psoriasis?
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This is really interesting as my partner suffers really badly with it. He has tried everything. Weirdly he found that when he decided to start running and get fitter it started to go away, his seems to be triggered by stress amongst other things so the exercise helped. Some good things to try here.
Stress is a trigger factor and can cause bad flare ups. Exercising is great, it helps the body function better and reduces stress.
My boyfriend suffers from guttate psoriasis, I’ve sent him this post so he can try a few of your tips. He usually has a flare up when he’s feeling more stress, or during winter when he’s lacking Vitamin D.
Don’t forget in winter he can take Vitamin D suppliments as well as use products externally. Exercise can really help reduce stress x
I will keep these in mind. I do have psoriasis that flares up on my feet sometimes. I hate it!
It can be bad for some. I hope these tips help.
This was very interesting and it shows a healthy diet is always a helpful remedy. I have been impressed with the benefits of Fish Oil and Vitamin d for many illnesses.
A healthy lifestyle works wonders.
It is good to know that there are natural ways to treat this skin condition. I am all for the natural ways.
There are a range of options that can help which is great.
This post is really informative, thanks for sharing these tips.
No problem Tasheena. I’m glad you liked the post.
My granddaughter has Psoriasis and she uses all natural products to help her skin
That’s great to hear. I hope they are working well for her.
A Natural Approach to Treat Psoriasis is always best. I love natural tratments.
It’s best to use natural products where you can.
Thanks for the tips. This will be so helpful for others.
No problem Nikki, Thanks for your comment.
I’ve heard and witnessed Psoriasis with some of my acquaintances. I will definitely share this with them.
It is awful isn’t it and can be very painful.
I don’t know anyone who has it but I’m sharing this cuz it’s informative.
Thanks Rose. I hope this helps a few that suffer from this condition.
This is definitely a great help to those who are experiencing this kind of health problem. I have a friend who has psoriasis so I will share it with her and I am sure this will help her a lot.
It can be quite bad for some so anything that helps is good x
This is such great information! I am passing this info over to a friend with this condition.
I hope they find it helpful Crystal.
Great info! One of my nieces has psoriasis. I will have to share this with her or with my sister.
It affects so many people physically and mentally. I hope this helps x
My friends uses coconut oil and it works great for her, this was very informative
That’s great to hear. There are loads of natural treatments.
This is great information, thanks for sharing psoriasis affect really badly.
Thanks for visiting Swathi.
When you have a disease like this that it’s so difficult to treat you want to try everything that it works and the natural approach is the first step!
I don’t know anyone with psoriasis but I have a skin condition (chronic spontaneous urticaria) and I find Dead Sea salts/Epson salts to be very helpful for me.
Thank you for these detailed post about Psoriasis as I was not aware of this skin condition before. Now I am aware of how to treat it naturally
It’s a good thing. Loads have it and it’s not very nice.
I honestly never knew there was so many forms of psoriasis touch wood this is a condition I have not had to look into, but great that there are natural ways to treat it
It does help to have a number of treatment options.
Wow ! That’s some great information you’ve got here , I wouldn’t of known where to start with something like this .
There are loads of alternative options. It’s finding what works best for each person.
I’ve heard eliminating gluten from the diet can be really useful to treat certain diseases and health conditions. Natural remedies are the best.
I suffer with psoriasis and have tried everything, I wish that I could treat mine naturally, or even at all as even all of the meds I have tried are not really helping at all.
I use apple cider vinegar and vitamin D, and recently I added sea salt to the mix and it works for me. Great ideas.
I did not realise that there were so many different types of psoriasis! Its great that there are plenty of natural ways you can treat it.
I have never suffered thank goodness, but you have some fantastic tips here for those that do. Kaz
It’s good you haven’t it isn’t nice for those that have it.
Using natural products on the skin is always the best option! I’ll share this with my friend who suffers from this disease.