Psoriasis Reference Guide

How is Psoriasis Treated?

There are many treatments available to help patients control their specific form of Psoriasis, including over-the-counter, as well as, prescription medicine. However, no single treatment is universal and it is important to find the one that works you’re you with the fewest side effects.

There are numerous types of treatments available including:

Topical Treatments

These medications, applied directly to the skin, are typically the first line of defense in treating any form of psoriasis.

Systemic and Biologic Medications

These are prescription medications that can affect the entire body, and are usually reserved for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

Phototherapy

Phototherapy involves exposing Psoriasis-stricken skin to ultraviolet light. It has been proven successful in some cases.

Alternative Treatments

Some patients choose to treat their Psoriasis with non-traditional methods, including mind and body therapy, dietary supplements and sunlight treatments.

There are a number of ways to treat Psoriasis naturally. Some treatments work well for certain types of Psoriasis, while others may not be right for you. It may be in your best interest to experiment with a few different approaches before choosing the right natural remedy.

Herbal & Essential Remedies

The following is a list of herbal & essential remedies known to help treat Psoriasis:

-         Aloe Vera

-         Cayenne

-         Chamomile

-         Dong Quai

-         Emu oil

-         Evening Primrose oil

-         Fish oil

-         Flaxseed oil

-         Glucosamine (for psoriatic arthritis)

-         Milk thistle

-         Slippery elm

-         Tea tree oil

-         Turmeric

-         Wintergreen

Dietary Supplements

Most of the items listed below are considered to be 100% safe. However, it is recommended that people considering dietary supplements consult with a health-care provider.

-         Evening primrose oil: A diet supplemented with evening primrose oil might prove helpful in treating Psoriasis. It may also be used as a topical solution.

-         Fish oil: A diet supplemented with fish oil has a wide variety of positive effects on both the cardiovascular and immune systems. Because Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease, fish oil could improve psoriasis symptoms.

Herbal remedies

Herbal remedies are become increasingly popular among those suffering from Psoriasis particularly when Western medicine fails to achieve their goals of suppressing the symptoms of this disease. However, it is advised that you consult your physician prior to beginning any herbal regiment as many have potentially dangerous interactions with medications.

Milk thistle: Milk thistle has been inhibits human T-cell activation, which occurs in psoriasis and can be purchased at health food stores in both a tablet and fluid form.

Oregano oil: Oregano oil possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties, which may be helpful in fighting psoriasis symptoms. It can be used both orally and topically.

Shark cartilage extract: Shark cartilage extract is known to prevent the formation of new blood vessels, which is said to play a role in both the development and progression of psoriasis lesions.

Turmeric: Turmeric has a long history of being used in traditional Chinese medicine and can be used as a dietary supplement to help relieve the swelling, pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

Sun & Water Therapy

Sunlight and water are natural therapies that are used to help improve the lives of those suffering from both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. More than eighty percent of patients who expose themselves to daily doses of sunlight see an improvement in their plaque psoriasis symptoms.

Water is used to help soften psoriatic lesions. Balneotherapy refers to water-based treatments involving natural thermal springs, hot springs, mineral water or seawater. These types of water treatments are widely used throughout Europe and Asia, and are becoming increasingly popular in the states.

Climatotherapy describes a combination of natural sunlight and water, using the ocean or other natural water bodies to treat psoriasis. Climatotherapy actually refers to particular locations around the world, including the Dead Sea in Israel, where the environment and natural elements are said to be especially therapeutic.

Tanning Bed Therapy

Some Psoriasis patients will visit tanning salons as an alternative to using natural sunlight as treatment. However, studies have shown that the ultraviolet light from a tanning bed can damage the skin and even cause premature ageing and skin cancer. Because of this fact, many health professionals recommend against the use of tanning beds as a treatment for Psoriasis.