Psoriasis Treatment

OVERVIEW

Psoriasis is an auto-immune disorder that causes cells to build-up rapidly on the surface of the skin. These extra skin cells form lesions or red scaly patches that are often associated with itching and flaking. The symptoms generally occur on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back. Depending on the type of psoriasis, the symptoms can show up anywhere on the body. In some cases, it can even affect the cells making up your fingernails.

Psoriasis is not a contagious disease. In most cases, the resulting rashes due to psoriasis are limited to a few patches on the skin. In severe cases, it can cover large areas of the body. The cure for this auto-immune skin condition is yet unknown. Therefore, the aim of an ideal psoriasis treatment should be to prevent the skin cells from growing rapidly and avoid build-up.

Causes

Psoriasis is a chronic disease where immune system cells mistakenly attack the body’s own cells. Other factors which are known to trigger psoriasis disease are stress, skin infections, cold and dry weather, injury to the skin, excess consumption of alcohol, smoking etc.

Complications

Psoriasis disease can affect a patient physically as well as emotionally. According to a survey done by the National Center for Biotechnology Information - NCBI, people with a psoriasis condition experience higher rates of depression and anxiety. Patients with psoriasis are twice as likely to have thoughts of suicide as compared to those without this condition.

Homeopathy provides effective psoriasis treatment without any side-effects. Contact Psoriasis Expert at Dr Batra’s today! Book an appointment now

What is the cause of psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an auto-immune condition where the cells of the immune system malfunction and mistakenly attack the body’s healthy skin cells. It leads to an abnormal response where a rapid growth of cells occurs. Additionally, this rapid build-up of cells creates silvery scales of thickened skin, causing excessive shedding.

What causes this auto-immune response is still unknown. But experts believe that genetics and environmental factors play a vital part. As per the study done by the National Psoriasis Foundation, about 40% of psoriasis patients have family members suffering from skin problems.

Other factors that cause psoriasis are:

Stress - Extreme stress is one of the major causes of psoriasis as it impacts the immune system enormously. It causes the body to release chemicals that lead to an inflammatory response, resulting in build-up of skin cells and induces flare-ups.

Infections - Infections such as strep throat, in particular, is often linked with Guttate Psoriasis. Earaches, tonsillitis, bronchitis or other respiratory infections such as a cold or the flu may trigger psoriasis.

Weather - Patients with psoriasis disease experience flares due to cold weather. Dry air and diffused sunlight are other causes of psoriasis skin condition.

Skin Trauma - Any kind of trauma to the skin such as cut, scrape, bug bite or too much scratching can trigger psoriasis.

Alcohol and Smoking - Excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking can cause flare-ups and reduces the chances of psoriasis remission. Also, it affects the immunity of the individual and increases the risk of infection.

The common areas of the body affected by psoriasis are:

• Elbows
• Ankles
• Hands
• Feet
• Lower Back
• Knees
• Scalp

Psoriasis can affect both men and women. The auto-immune condition can strike anyone at any age. However, the incidence is higher among young adults. According to the World Health Organization - WHO, the presence of psoriasis disease in countries varies between 0.09% and 11.4%. The WHO report further states that social isolation, stigma and discrimination resulting due to psoriasis affects individuals emotionally.

(Ref: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/204417/9789241565189_eng.pdf.psoriasis;jsessionid=54912784D28C9F36ECCD45471AC5775B?sequence=1)

Therefore, psoriasis treatment must consider the physical as well as the emotional well-being of patients.

Depending on the severity of psoriasis, individuals could develop other conditions like chronic inflammatory arthritis, joint deformities and disability. Also, psoriasis patients are at a higher risk of developing serious conditions such as cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases.

TYPES

There are nine types of psoriasis which are discussed below:

1. Psoriasis Vulgaris: Psoriasis Vulgaris, also known as plaque psoriasis, is the most common type of psoriasis. Red, raised patches with silvery scales are the common symptoms.

2. Guttate Psoriasis: Guttate psoriasis is triggered by infections such as strep throat and other factors like skin trauma and stress. This type of psoriasis displays small, drop-shaped spots on the skin. These spots are thin when compared to spots that appear in plaque psoriasis.

3. Pustular Psoriasis: Pustular psoriasis is a severe condition where lesions are filled with pus. It generally affects isolated areas of the body like the feet and hands, or covers most of the skin surface. Another characteristic of this psoriasis type is that pustules can join together and form scaling.

4. Inverse Psoriasis: This type of psoriasis affects the folds of the skin. Generally, bright red and smooth patches appear in affected areas such as the underarms, under the buttocks, abdominal skin folds, breasts and genital areas.

5. Erythrodermic Psoriasis: Erythrodermic psoriasis is a rare condition which can be life-threatening. It is often characterized by intense redness and scaling on the entire body along with copious shedding of scales. It is a serious type of psoriasis which tends to be triggered by sunburn and the use of steroids and may lead to hospitalization.

6. Nail Psoriasis: Fingernails and Toenails are affected by different psoriasis types. It leads to discoloured, thickened, pitted nails, and they often detach from the nail bed.

7. Scalp Psoriasis: In scalp psoriasis, the patient experiences dryness of the scalp with heavily crusted plaque areas. The plaque peels off in clusters. It is common in patients with plaque psoriasis.

8. Psoriatic Arthritis: This psoriasis type shows symptoms such as swelling, stiffness and pain in the affected joints. As per an article published in the Polish Journal of Radiology, the presence of psoriatic arthritis is reported to be close to 30% among people with psoriasis. In advanced stages, this type of psoriasis can be crippling.

9. Palmoplantar Psoriasis: In Palmoplantar psoriasis, lesions are noticed on the patient’s palms and soles of the feet.

SYMPTOMS

Different types of psoriasis show different symptoms. The symptoms of the most common types of psoriasis are discussed below:

1. Plaque Psoriasis

• Patches of thick, raised skin known as plaque
• Smaller plaque joining together to form larger plaque
• A dry, thin and silvery-white coating (scales) covers some plaque
• Plaque of different sizes

It is commonly observed on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back.

2. Guttate Psoriasis

Tiny bumps on the skin appear that are:

• Scaly and small
• Salmon-coloured to pink
• Most often temporary

The symptoms are generally noticed on the torso, arms and legs. In some cases, the bumps can appear on the scalp, face and ears.

3. Pustular Psoriasis

• Swollen, red skin dotted pus-filled bumps
• Brown dots (or scales) which appear when the pus-filled bumps dry
• Very painful or sore skin

Symptoms usually appear on the hands and feet.

4. Inverse Psoriasis

• Painful or sore skin
• Smooth, red patches of skin that appears raw
• Minimal, if any, silvery-white coating (scales)

Symptoms most likely appear in areas where the skin touches the skin, such as the armpits, genitals, creases of the buttocks and folds of the skin.

5. Erythrodermic Psoriasis

• Redness and scaling almost all over the body
• Shedding of scales
• A rapid pulse, muscle weakness and severe itch
• Fever, chills and feeling extremely ill

People with this psoriasis type should seek immediate medical attention and psoriasis treatment as it can be life-threatening.

6. Nail Psoriasis

• Small dents in your nails (nail pits)
• Rough, crumbling nails
• Yellow, white or brown discolouration under one or more nails
• Build-up of skin cells under one or more nails, which lifts up the nail

7. Scalp Psoriasis

Mild scalp psoriasis symptoms may include only slight, fine scaling.

Moderate to severe scalp psoriasis symptoms include:

• Dandruff-like flaking
• Dry scalp
• Soreness or burning
• Itching
• Silvery-white scales
• Red, scaly, bumpy patches
• Temporary hair loss (in some cases)

8. Psoriatic Arthritis

• Tender and swollen joints, especially in toes or fingers
• Swelling on the back of your leg, just above your heel
• Joint stiffness in the morning that fades during the day
• Heel pain

9. Palmoplantar Psoriasis

• Dry, cracked skin
• Bleeding
• A burning, itchy sensation
• Soreness
• Red, thickened skin
• Silvery scales
• Thickened, ridged nails
• Pits or depressions in nails
• Stiff, swollen joints

Symptoms can be seen in the affected areas of the hands and soles.

Homeopathic psoriasis treatment is effective in controlling the symptoms and provides long-lasting relief. Contact Psoriasis Experts at Dr Batra’s today!

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT

Homeopathy provides effective psoriasis treatment without any side-effects. Homeopathic medicines help in building immunity and control the progression of the disease. Since the cure for psoriasis is yet unknown, psoriasis treatment in homeopathy offers better management of the condition and provides long-lasting relief.

Homeopathic Psoriasis Treatment at Dr Batra’s
At Dr Batra’s™, homeopathy doctors diagnose psoriasis by understanding the medical history of the patient. A detailed examination of the visible symptoms and lesions is done. Finally, a customized psoriasis treatment plan is developed depending on the needs of the individual patient.

Features of Psoriasis Treatment at Dr Batra’s

• Uses 3-D imaging device for accurate analysis and evaluation of the patient’s skin condition. The 3-D imaging device captures the skin’s condition up to 10 mm below the surface of the skin. This technology helps to diagnose the problem at least 12 weeks in advance, even before visible symptoms appear.
• Geno Homeopathy helps to predict the occurrence of psoriasis years before it actually appears. A simple saliva test is conducted which enables our experts to predict the probability of getting psoriasis. It also helps in treating the root cause.
• Preventive homeopathic psoriasis medicine, appropriate diet and necessary lifestyle changes reduce the chances of its occurrence.

Dr Batra’s offers personalized and customized psoriasis treatment in homeopathy. For more details, contact us at any time.

FAQs