All About Psoriasis

1. Psoriasis Psoriasis

2. What is Psoriasis? • Psoriasis is an obstinate skin condition in which red patches of various sizes develop on the skin that are covered with dry, silvery scales. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that got its name from the Greek word meaning, 'itch'. • In psoriasis the skin becomes inflamed and red eruptions appear on the surface of the skin that begin to itch excessively. These areas form thickened areas (plaques) that are covered with silvery scales over the reddened lesions. The skin at the joints may crack.

3. Causes of Psoriasis There can be Ideally 2 main types of factors responsible for Psoriasis. • Internal Factors • Defective immune system • Genetics and heredity • External Factors • Climate • Infections • Stress • Certain Medicines • Physical Trauma • Skin Conditions: Boils, Dermatitis, Herpes Blisters, Lichen Planus, Vitiligo • Skin Trauma: Acupuncture, Bites, Chemical Irritation, Shaving, Tattoos, Sunburn, etc.

4. Symptoms of Psoriasis • Although psoriasis may be almost unnoticeable in its early stages, patients often report an itching and/or burning sensation as the disease progresses. • This photo on the left shows itching (skin after itching) and bleeding spots thereafter, on psoriasis lesions. In this photo, the patient has scratched it profoundly to an extent that there are bleeding spots. • There are many variants and types of psoriasis. But usually the course follows like this: It starts with red small bumps on the skin that progress to bigger scaly patches. The condition is associated with lot of itching. As the scales accumulate, pink to deep red plaques with a white crust of silvery scales appear on the skin surface. • Although psoriasis may affect any area of the body, it is most commonly found on the scalp, elbows, knees, hands, feet, and genitals.

5. Types of Psoriasis Psoriasis has many variants. The common ones are as follows: • Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of the disease and is characterized by raised, thickened patches of red skin covered with silvery-white scales. Its scientific name is psoriasis vulgaris. • Scalp psoriasis is a common variant of Psoriasis, which is relatively more difficult to treat. Please click on the link to read an elaborate write up on scalp psoriasis. • Pustular psoriasis: is characterized by pus-like blisters. Attacks of pustular psoriasis may be triggered by medications, infections, emotional stress, or exposure to certain chemicals. Pustular psoriasis may affect either small or large areas of the body. Psoriasis video shows this variety. • Erythrodermic psoriasis characterized by intense redness and swelling of a large part of the skin surface, is often accompanied by itching or pain. Erythrodermic psoriasis may be precipitated by severe sunburn, use of oral steroids (such as cortisone), or a drug-related rash. • Guttate psoriasis is characterized by small, drop-like lesions on the trunk, limbs, and scalp. Guttate psoriasis is most often triggered by bacterial infections (for example, Streptococcus). • Palmo-planter psoriasis is a common variant of Psoriasis affecting either the palms or soles or palms as well as soles. Palmo-plantar psoriasis is a chronic, recurring condition that affects the palms of hands and soles of feet. • Inverse psoriasis is characterized by smooth red lesions in the folds of the skin like in the folds of the skin near the genitals, under the breasts, or in the armpits. Inverse psoriasis is related to increased sensitivity to friction and sweating and may be painful or itchy.

6. Homeopathic Treatment for Psoriasis • Homeopathic treatment for psoriasis aims at addressing the immunological factors responsible for its development. Immune system is governed by host of factors such as genetic, environmental, physical, emotional, hormonal factors, etc. So, homeopathy aims considering the totality of the person who has psoriasis. • The most distinguishing method in homeopathy is the way homeopathic medicines are prepared, using a method called Potentization, which allows hidden therapeutic nano-particles to be released from the source material. The medicines used in homeopathy are sourced from plants, minerals, chemicals, animal products, etc. • Some of the commonly used medicines in homeopathy for psoriasis can be listed as: Graphites, Kali carbonicum, Thuja occidentalis, Sulphur, Petrolium, Mezerium, Kali sulphuricum, Psorinum, Arsenicum album, Lycopodium clavatum. • The homeopathic medicines are always administered in the form of oral pills, to be taken in mouth. Homeopathy does not believe in applying any medicinal substance on skin to cure it, except using moisturizer.

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