Home remedies for psoriasis. This is a condition that causes scales or plaques on the skin. There is no known cure for it, which is the unfortunate part. Psoriasis causes itching and is embarrassing for the person who has it. It can be mild or severe, located in short area or covering a large area. It mostly forms plaques on the scalp, on the back and elbow and knees.
What is psoriasis ?
All we know is that psoriasis is a skin disease which is probably caused by the immune system in response to certain stress, allergen or it could even be a "yet-undiscovered" pathogen. The disease affects about 4 % population of the western world ( Source Wikipedia ). There are different types of psoriasis with their characteristic symptoms and appearance.
- Plaque psoriasis - In this psoriasis, white raised scaly patches appear anywhere on the skin. They look like they are an infection of some sort, but it is not. This white patch is surrounded by a reddish colored ring, as sign of inflammation. The patches itch severely and may even bleed if they are scratched vigorously.
- Guttate psoriasis - In this form of psoriasis, there are red, teardrop like lesions on the skin. They are small, about 1 cm in diameter. It usually occurs after an upper respiratory tract infection, which is strange and intriguing. It could be a sign of a malfunctioning immune system.
- Inverse psoriasis - This type affects only the folds of the skin, like in the groin, armpit, navel and other such places.
- Pustular psoriasis - There are pustules, like small blisters which get periodically filled with pus. Each pustule can go through a stage of inflammation and subsidence.
- Another form of psoriasis is the psoriatic erythroderma.
Psoriasis is a complicated disorder. Modern conventional treatments may work for some people, but may not work for many others. Home remedies can provide significant relief from the symptoms.
( Photo Courtesy: 28705377@N04 )
Home remedies for psoriasis
1. Sitting in the sun
Expose the affected skin region to the sun directly. Now, some people have the risk of getting sunburn, but sun can be quite helpful in psoriasis.
The sunlight contains ultraviolet radiation , as we all know. It has a component called UVB. This component helps to relieve psoriasis by reducing the overgrowth of cells. However, the same ultraviolet radiation is also the cause of numerous other skin diseases, like skin cancer. So, the home based treatment should be very precise and prevent overexposure to sunlight.
This is how it is advised to be done.
Expose psoriasis affected areas of skin to natural sunlight, at noon time for 5 minutes. This should probably not be a cause for sunburn. However, if you are sensitive to sunburns, reduce the duration by 30 seconds each time till you find a comfortable time window. It can be like 3 : 30 ( 3 minutes 30 seconds ). Apply sunscreen on remaining skin areas. If the sunlight in your area is intense ( specially in tropical areas and in high altitudes ), then one can change the time of the day for sun exposure. The whole point is that the sunlight intensity doesn't cross the barrier where skin starts to burn.
Natural UVB from sunlight starts helping in psoriasis. However, results may take about 4 weeks or even more to show up.
2. Aloe Vera gel ( the natural one )
Do not go for bottled aloe vera. It doesn't contain the excellent healing properties which fresh aloe vera plant has. If you have any skin condition, then planting an aloe vera in your home or garden is by far the best investment. Aloe vera has not been identified in studies to show significant results for psoriasis, but it is very soothing for the skin.
Ingredients
Aloe vera leaf
Directions / How to use
Take out a leaf from ale vera plant, a mature and large leaf. Leave the young ones. Then cut a section at the top. Light greenish liquid oozes from the plant. Rub it directly on the skin, massaging gently with the leaf. Do this for all the lesions. Do not wash it off. Aloe vera gets readily absorbed into skin.
Why it works ?
Aloe vera is soothing agent. There is no reason to doubt that aloe vera gel is meant to be used on the skin. It relieves itching, however intense. It can heal wounds and alleviate pain. The results can be evident from the first day. It has got almost all the amino acids that we need, which are absorbed in the body through our skin.
3. Banana peel ( for the itching )
Peel a banana. Then , use the inside of a banana peel and apply on the psoriasis lesions. It is one of the best things for itching relief. Use this when the urge for itching is the most severe. This calms the itching, which prevents us from picking at the psoriasis lesions.
4. Honey
Try applying raw, organic honey on the psoriasis lesions. It reduces inflammation and prevents the lesions from becoming painful.
5. Fish oil
One of the best things for reducing psoriasis is fish oil. You can try different fish oils, like salmon oil, cod liver oil and others, like krill oil. However, the best results may be seen with using salmon oil, as it is very high in omega -3 fatty acids , selectively.
- Apply fish oil on the lesions. Make sure that the oil is organic and free from mercury, dioxins, PCB and all that stuff.
- You can also take about 2 tablespoon of fish oil once a day.
Why it works ?
Fish oil has high concentration of omega fatty acids. They are incredibly powerful in reducing systemic inflammation. This takes some time to get into high gear, but when it doesn, one can feel its effects. Omega fatty acids reduce the redness in
acne,
eczema, psoriasis and many other skin conditions. They reduce the risk of developing psoriatic arthritis.
The oil of cod liver has high amounts of vitamin A and vitamin D. The vitamin A in it helps outermost layer of skin to shed faster. This is called skin turnover rate. It is like a kind of exfoliation that the body performs on its own , and is different from manual exfoliation. It helps in psorisis too.
6. Wintergreen essential oil ( it contains salicylic acid, you see )
Wintergreen oil is exceptionally high in methyl salicylate, which turns into salicylic acid. This agent is used for many skin conditions, because it exfoliates the skin. Wintergreen essential oil has been identified to help with psoriasis.
Ingredients
Wintergreen essential oil
Carrier oil ( like olive oil )
Directions / How to use
Take about 1 ounce of carrier oil. Add 4 - 6 drops of wintergreen oil to it. Use this ratio when preparing your oil. Apply this oil on your psoriasis lesions 3 times a day. It should help in diminishing the lesions.
Why it works ?
It is all because of high salicylic acid released by this essential oil. It is wonderful in treating pain, inflammation and closed pores on skin.
7. Pure Argan Oil
This oil is obtained from a tree possibly confined in Morocco. It is a wonderful oil for the hair, but one can also use it for psoriasis. Just apply a small amount of argan oil and massage them into psoriasis lesions.
Important - make sure that the oil you get is authentic Moroccan argan oil. It is in high demand, so make sure you get the right stuff.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Wash your psoriasis lesions with vinegar water, more specifically apple cider vinegar. Dilute ACV by adding 1 parts ACV to 1 parts water. Wash the skin with this mixture. There should be no wounds on skin, as it is going to hurt like anything if it contacts blood.
9. Oatmeal Bath ( to relieve itching )
Take an oatmeal bath when you feel the itching. It is not always possible, as we
Complete change or makeover in the things that you use in the house : Psoriasis is caused by the immune system, as proposed. One should therefore get rid of any such substance which might be causing the immune system to create such a response. So, get rid of the soap, shampoo, makeup, sunscreen and other things which contain synthetic compounds and get natural substitutes instead. This may be the big difference in treating psoriasis. Our skin is gentle and in some people, many of the common products can cause an allergic reaction. Similarly, try to completely eliminate processed food in diet and go completely natural. That means, boil milk at home, get your own vegetables and fruits that do not have pesticides, or from your garden and cook food at home. It is a complete makeover in lifestyle, but probably it can work in reducing psoriasis for life.
Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids : These two are essential fatty acids. Omega 3 is found in many foods, mainly liver of cod fish. Omega 6 is found in evening primrose. Consult a doctor on how to get the right balance of these two essential fatty acids because it is very important for the body.
Try applying neem leaves on the skin : There is no exact cure for psoriasis. Neem is known for its beneficial properties for our skin in India for thousands for years.
Topical iodine : It is claimed that topical application of iodine containing cream may help in psoriasis. However, there is no verification. Most of us have common creams which have iodine in them. One should consult a doctor before applying iodine on the skin for psoriasis. In any case, iodine should not be applied on babies and young kids.
Go to psoriasis treatment locations in the world : There are some places which are known to help with psoriasis. The soil, geology or quality of water at some places on earth are useful for psoriasis. One of them is
Port Safaga in Egypt.
Ancient Egyptians probably used black cumin for the treatment of psoriasis.
Native American herbal remedy for psoriasis is Barberry and Burdock root infusion in water.
There can be more such remedies found in ancient medicinal texts of different civilizations. One can consult practitioners of traditional medicine to get some insights.
Dead sea salt is also noted for ability to relieve psoriasis. Some indications suggest that cayenne pepper can
relieve itching caused in psoriasis.
