Daily Archives: April 23, 2016

Psoriasis is a complex, reoccurring autoimmune disorder characterized by red, flaky patches on the skin. Even though there is no cure, many treatments exist to ease the symptoms. Some aren't far away from your computer screen.

Here are seven simple treatments to help quiet its signs.

Connect with other psoriasis patients and share inspiring photos using #pselfie

Dietary supplements may help ease psoriasis symptoms from the inside. Fish oil, vitamin D, milk thistle, and evening primrose oil have been reported to help some sufferers (NPF, 2012). It's important to only take supplements that do not interfere with other pre-existing conditions or have harmful side effects. Fish oil applied directly to the skin has also been known to work well for some.

Use a humidifier to keep the air in your home or office moist. It can prevent dry skin before it starts. Sensitive-skin moisturizers are also great at keeping your skin supple and from forming plaques.

Most soaps and perfumes have dyes and fragrances in them. Sure, they can make you smell great but they also can inflame psoriasis. Choose products labeled as "sensitive skin" these are made without the dyes and perfumes that can irritate skin (NPF, 2012).

Diet may play a role in managing psoriasis. Eliminating red meat and fatty foods have been effective for some. The National Psoriasis Foundation lists soy, nuts, chocolate, and cranberries as a few "functional foods" for treatment (NPF, 2012).

As healthy as olive oil is inside your body, it can have extra benefits for the skin. Applying olive or vegetable oil to scales and patches of psoriasis can lock moisture and nutrients in. Try massaging a few tablespoons on your scalp to help loosen troublesome plaques during your next shower.

Your dermatologist will tell you hot water is your skin's enemy, but a lukewarm bath with Epsom salt, mineral oil, milk, or olive oil can soothe the itching and infiltrate scales and plaques. Moisturize immediately after your bath for double benefits (Mayo Clinic, 2011).

Unfortunately, there is no one single answer to stop psoriasis. What's worse is the fact that not everything works for everyone. Using some of the tips shown here, as well as using other treatment options, you can custom-tailor your daily routine to keep problem itching and flaking to a minimum.

Original post:
7 Ways to Treat Psoriasis Symptoms at Home

knowledge center home eczema / psoriasis all about psoriasis what is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that mainly affects the skin. It is non-contagious. A reddish, scaly rash - often referred to as red, scaly patches - is commonly found over the surfaces of the scalp, around or in the ears, the elbows, knees, navel, genitals and buttocks.

The scaly patches, also known as psoriatic plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Skin quickly builds up in the affected area, because skin production is faster than the bodys ability to shed it. Areas with psoriatic plaques take on a silvery-white appearance.

Unlike eczema, psoriasis is more commonly found on the extensor aspect of a joint.

Psoriasis varies in severity - some patients may only have minor localized patches, while others are affected all over the body. Psoriatic nail dystrophy is common among patients with psoriasis - where the fingernails and toenails are affected. Psoriasis may also result in inflammation of the joints, as may be the case with psoriatic arthritis, which affects approximately 10% to 15% of all psoriasis patients.

Experts are not sure what causes psoriasis. Most believe there is a genetic component that can be triggered by a prolonged injury to the skin. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, mental stress, and withdrawal of systemic corticosteroid medications are said to be factors that may aggravate psoriasis.

According to the National Health Service, UK, approximately 2% of the British population is affected by psoriasis. People with psoriasis most commonly develop symptoms between the ages of 11 and 45 years. However, it can start at any age.

The human body produces new skin cells at the lowest skin level. Gradually those cells move up through the layers of skin until they reach the outermost level, where they eventually die and flake off. The whole cycle - skin cell production to skin death and flaking off - takes between 21 and 28 days. In patients with psoriasis, the cycle takes only between 2 to 6 days; resulting in a rapid buildup of cells on the skins surface, causing red, flaky, scaly, crusty patches covered with silvery scales, which are then shed.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition - it is long lasting. Some people have periods with no symptoms, while others live with signs and symptoms all the time. For some people psoriases can be seriously disabling.

Although there is no current cure for psoriasis, there are treatments that can help with the symptoms.

According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary:

Psoriasis is A common multifactorial inherited condition characterized by the eruption of circumscribed, discrete and confluent, reddish, silvery-scaled maculopapules; the lesions occur predominantly on the elbows, knees, scalp, and trunk, and microscopically show characteristic parakeratosis and elongation of rete ridges with shortening of epidermal keratinocyte transit time due to decreased cyclic guanosine monophosphate.

The word psoriasis comes from the Greek word psoriasis, meaning being itchy.

This Psoriasis information section was written by Christian Nordqvist for Medical News Today, and may not be re-produced in any way without the permission of Medical News Today.

Disclaimer: This informational section on Medical News Today is regularly reviewed and updated, and provided for general information purposes only. The materials contained within this guide do not constitute medical or pharmaceutical advice, which should be sought from qualified medical and pharmaceutical advisers.

Please note that although you may feel free to cite and quote this article, it may not be re-produced in full without the permission of Medical News Today. For further details, please view our full terms of use

MediLexicon International Ltd

Originally posted here:
What is Psoriasis? - Medical News Today