Psoriasis is a non-curable, chronic autoimmune skin disease, the mechanism of which is still not studied well. When the immune system sends fault signals to increase the growth rate of skin cells, the skin becomes thick, red with silver-white scales. The scales is the excess skin cells, which are piling up due to the fast new cells growth. When the fingernails and toenails are affected the disease is classified as psoriatic nail dystrophy, where there is an inflammation of the joints , it is called psoriatic arthritis. The latter is diagnosed in up to 40% of all psoriatic patients. The prospect for curation is that sometimes it can clear itself, while in other cases can exist for long time with worsening symptoms in colder months and some improvement in warm season under sunlight or climatic zone. Psoriasis while not painful in most of the cases brings along a lot of emotional stress and even social isolation to patients.
Types of psoriasis
They distinguish 5 types of psoriasis, including:
- Plaque psoriasis – the most common type (almost 80% of all cases), when mostly elbows, knees, scalp, palms of hands , feet or genitals, outer side of joints are covered by flaky scales.
- Guttate psoriasis will bring out small drop-like skin lesions.
- Inverse psoriasis looks like smooth red lesions in the folds of the skin.
- Pustlar psoriasis looks like blisters with thick white fluid.
- Erythrodermis causes much reddening and swelling of the skin.
- Psoriatic arthritis is similar to rheumatoid arthritis combined with psoriasis.
Causes
Since the modern medical science is yet to find out the exact mechanism of its development, there are some studies that suggest that psoriasis is an autoimmune response, can be inherited or caused by some sort of a stress (trauma, stress, climatic changes, infection, exposure to the sun etc.) Certain factors can exaggerate the worsening condition in psoriatic patients, such as virus or bacterial infection, such as upper respiratory infections, injured skin, dry skin or exposure to dry air, no sunlight or too much sunlight, alcohol, stress.
Symptoms
They might come suddenly and go away in the same manner. Red skin can be usually found on elbows, knees or the trunk of the body. However, it can appear anywhere. The look varies as well from dry covered with silver white scales to salmon red in color, raised and thick. The patches affected by psoriasis are sometimes itchy. Symptoms can include genital lesions in males, severe dandruff, changes in nails or joint pain.
How to prevent psoriasis?
There is no known way to prevent it as of today, however looking after your health always helps, this can include skin moisturizing routine, avoidance of excessive or deficient sunlight, good hygiene, avoiding alcohol or tobacco, avoiding prolonged exposure to water, excluding animals fats, eggs and processed food, mental health and stress resilience.
Ayurveda treatment
Vaidya Nithi has successful patients with psoriasis, who were free from it after the rigorous detox routine and dieting according to their body condition and psoriasis symptoms. The total body detoxification known in Ayurveda as Panchakarma can be very effective alongside with lifetime long Ayurvedic diet. 7 days of ghee oiling (oral intake), followed by vamanam (vomiting) and purging (virechanam), vasits (enemas with herbs and oil). This should be followed by several months (depending on each individual case) of ayurvedic herbal concoctions and ghee. The diet is strictly vegetarian, without any animal proteins, fats. Those, who have followed Panchakarma with medicine intake and a very strict diet, can see optimistic results. There is always a hope, so with a strong self-discipline even psoriasis can go away.
