Psoriasis Part-2

A. Sandhya -

Symptoms

Psoriasis symptoms may differ from person to person.
They may depend on the type of psoriasis, places and amount of psoriasis (can be as small as a few flakes on scalp or elbow, or cover the majority of the body).
Symptoms may start between ages 15 and 25, or it can start at any age.
The most common symptoms of psoriasis include:

  • itchy and scaly skin
  • raised, inflamed patches of skin that appear red on light skin, silvery-white patches on medium skin and brown or purple on dark skin
  • whitish-silver scales or plaques on the red patches or gray scales on purple and brown patches
  • itching, soreness and burning sensation around patches
  • stiffness, painful and swollen joints
  • thick, pitted nails
  • scaly scalp.
  • cyclic rashes that flare for few weeks or months and then subside

Causes and triggers

The exact cause of psoriasis is not completely known. But research suggests that it may be a problem with immune system, where infection-fighting cells attack healthy skin cells by mistake. Researchers also believe that both genetic and environmental factors play a role.

Psoriasis triggers

  • Infections, such as strep throat, upper respiratory infections, viral infections, such as HIV, skin infections.
  • Weather, especially cold, dry conditions.
  • Injury to the skin, such as a cut or scratches, a bug bite,  
  • Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • Heavy alcohol consumption
  • exposure to excess sun or sunburn
  • Vitamin D deficiency
  • stress
  • obesity
  • tattoos
  • certain medications such as lithium, beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure, pills taken to stop malaria, medicines used to treat hepatitis C like interferon-alpha
  • Low estrogen levels in women
  • foods such as tomatoes, eggplant, white potatoes, soybeans, wheat germ, gluten containing grains and condiments, high-sugar foods and fatty foods, dairy products, red meat, pork and shellfish

Some home remedies

  • Applying petroleum jelly or another thick moisturizer on skin can reduce the redness.
  • To avoid irritation on scalp ,Apple Cider Vinegar can be applied but it should not be applied when bleeding or cracks appear on head
  • Exposure to sun 5 or 10 minutes a day, (sun's ultraviolet B rays) can help fight psoriasis
  • Soaking for about 15 minutes in a tub with Epsom salt and warm water may help to shed some scales and soothe the skin,
  • Turmeric can be taken as an ingredient in meals or as a supplement
  • Meditation and yoga can help to cut down the stress. Yoga is especially helpful if suffering from psoriatic arthritis, because it eases joint pain and expands the range of motion.
  • Creams containing Oregon grape where it is 10% of the ingredients can be applied
  • Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory and helps decrease redness.