What is Psoriasis?
Definition:
Psoriasis is a common and chronic condition that usually causes patches of itchy, scaly and sometimes inflamed skin. There is usually a whitish, flaky layer of dead skin cells on top. These patches, which are called plaques, are – are most likely to appear up on your knees, elbows, hands, feet, scalp or back. In about 50% of cases, the fingernails and toenails are also affected. The symptoms of psoriasis can vary a great deal depending on its severity, ranging from mildly annoying to truly debilitating.
While the itchiness and pain can be unpleasant to say the least, some of the worst effects of psoriasis can be emotional. People with severe psoriasis sometimes are so overwhelmed by their condition and self-conscious of their appearance that they feel isolated and depressed.
Cause:
Normally, skin cells are being constantly formed, and then pushed up to the surface where they eventually die and flake off, revealing new skin cells. With psoriasis, the skin cells grow too quickly, causing layers of skin to build up, forming a whitish, flaky crust. When blood vessels increase flow in an attempt to nourish this skin, it causes reddish inflammation.
Psoriasis usually appears as a skin condition, but recent discoveries show that its real cause is a problem with the immune system. The body naturally fights infections and heals injuries with special cells (white blood cells) that are designed to battle viruses and bacteria. Normally, these cells go to the site of infection or injury and release antibodies and other chemicals to repair wounds, clot blood, and prevent infection. A byproduct of this normal process is inflammation (redness and swelling). Doctors do not understand why the immune systems of people with psoriasis malfunction. One type of white blood cell (the B-cell) begins creating antibodies that destroy normal skin cells. Another type of white blood cell (the T-cell) begins overproducing a substance called cytokines. This overproduction shuts down a signal that regulates skin cell growth. That’s why psoriasis is considered an autoimmune disease – the immune system malfunctions and turns on normal body tissues.
Psoriasis of the skin or nails may look like a rash or fungus, but you can’t catch psoriasis from another person and you can’t give it to anyone else. You also can’t spread it from one part of your body to another by touch. A susceptibility to getting psoriasis can be inherited. If it runs in your family, your chances of developing psoriasis are higher.
While the underlying cause of psoriasis stems from your body’s immune system, certain triggers can make it worse or cause flare-ups. These include:
Cold and dry weather. Such weather can dry out your skin, which makes the chances of having a flare-up worse. In contrast, hot, sunny weather appears to help control the symptoms of psoriasis in most people.
Stress. Having psoriasis can cause stress itself and patients often report that outbreaks of symptoms come during particularly stressful times.
Some medications. Certain drugs, such as lithium (a common treatment for bipolar disorder) and some beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease and some heart arrhythmias), can cause flare-ups of psoriasis.
Infections or disease. Certain infections, such as strep throat, can result in guttate psoriasis.
Trauma to the skin. In about 50% of people with psoriasis, trauma to the skin — including cuts, bruises, burns, bumps, vaccinations, tattoos and other skin conditions — can cause a flare-up of psoriasis symptoms either at the site of the injury or elsewhere. This condition is called “Koebner’s phenomenon.”
Alcohol. Using alcohol may increase the chances of flare-ups, at least in men.
Treatment:
Allopathic treatments for psoriasis generally follow a 3 step approach.
The first step is topical treatments, such as creams or ointments. The most commonly used medicines are steroid creams and ointments. Others include Dovonex, retinoids such as Tazorac and more traditional remedies such as coal tar. For psoriasis that covers more than 10% to 20% of the skin, topical treatment usually won’t work, at least not on its own.
The second step is phototherapy. Psoriasis responds to ultraviolet (UV) rays, and regular exposure to the sun or artificial ultraviolet lights can cause the symptoms to subside. Approaches include UVB (exposure to ultraviolet B light) and PUVA (exposure to ultraviolet rays combined with the drug psoralen, which increases the light sensitivity of the skin). Newer techniques include lasers, which can focus the beneficial effects of light specifically on psoriatic lesions.
The third step is generally systemic or biologic mediations. Systemic oral medications such as methotrexate (Rheumatrex and Amethopterin) and cyclosporine (Neoral or Sandimmune) are often prescribed. Many of these drugs have potentially severe side effects and require close monitoring while using them. Some of these drugs have been known to harm the liver. Biologic treatments for psoriasis specifically target the immunological response that causes the symptoms. Early evidence indicates that these new drugs have significantly fewer side effects than traditional systemic therapy.
The approach to treating psoriasis deals with the CAUSE not just the symptoms. The first step is to clean up the diet and remove any and all mucous forming foods such as meat, dairy, eggs, and processed foods. Eat very, very clean. (The rest of your body will thank you for it as well). Comfrey tea and comfrey baths are also very good treatments, however, those who have used drugs to treat psoriasis previously should cleans the liver well first before ingesting too much comfrey. A regimen of apple cider vinegar and honey will help alkalize the system and restore balance to the ph. This will also help boost the immune system. Boosting the immune system with locally grown elderberry syrup is another good idea.
Herbal Aids:
RESTORE Cream – by Crooked House Herbals has shown great promise in healing Psoriasis.
Comfrey: Apply a comfrey poultice of the fresh, bruised leaves.
Comfrey Bath Bags – use in the tub as a “bath tea” to soak and absorb comfrey through the skin.
Comfrey Tea – for severe cases: Drink 1/4 cup of concentrated tea with 3/4 cup of distilled water three times a day.
Marshmallow & Astragalus. Used to tame the malfunctioning immune system.