Psoriasis is a chronic condition with symptoms including silvery scales covering patches of red and irritated skin. These patches can occur all over the body, but they are most commonly found on the back, buttocks, chest and scalp. It’s not contagious, but when outbreaks happen, they can be itchy, painful and inflamed. The cause of psoriasis is unknown, but there seems to be a genetic link, and things like stress and allergies can trigger it.

What are some of the options that you can use when you’re looking to treat psoriasis with homeopathy?

There are actually several recommended herbs that are used to to treat this chronic condition, and it’s important to keep experimenting until you find the one that’s right for you. With homeopathy, matching the cure to the patient is nearly as important as matching the cure to the condition, so make sure to explore these remedies thoroughly.

If you realize that your psoriasis is often connected with feelings of sluggishness, chills or fatigue, you will find that calcerea carbonica is one of the best choices that you can consider. This remedy is a good option when dealing with psoriasis in the winter or when you’re feeling overwhelmed with stress and fatigue. In addition, if you’ve noticed that you’re experiencing a craving for protein or for sugars, this can be a good remedy as well.

On the other hand, if you tend to be a serious person who feels anxiety deep in the pit of your stomach, consider taking mezereum. If you often feel chilly and find that your psoriasis will improve if you’re kept warm, cold applications of mezereum can help this a great deal. Another hint that this solution may work for you is if you have a strong craving for fat or you feel constricted when you’re indoors.

If you seem to be snapping at all of the people around you, no matter how helpful or sweet they’re trying to be, you may need a different homeopathic remedy. For people whose psoriasis is punctuated with strong negative emotional issues, there is sepia. In these individuals, patches of the psoriasis may end up looking rather dry and stiff. Circulation might also be a problem, and your energy level might be extremely low. Remember that when you’re taking sepia, that doing some exercise along with the treatment can be especially helpful as well.

Another alternative psoriasis homeopathy treatment option applies to those who experience problems when they’re warm or while bathing. If your affected areas appear irritated and even bright red, consider looking into sulfur, which can help calm intense itching as well.

Finding the right homeopathic treatment for psoriasis can take some trial and error, but it’s well worth it to take some time and be patient. Eventually you will find the right treatment option for you.

Psoriasis Homeopathy – How To Treat Psoriasis With Homeopathic Remedies is a post from: Natural Psoriasis Treatments

Causes And Prevention Of Scalp Psoriasis

There are several causes of psoriasis, not the least of which is diet and lifestyle choices. Genetics plays somewhat of a role as well, however since you cannot change your gene pool, we will look at possible influences from choices and the environment.

Prevention is the better part of cure and with scalp psoriasis, this is particularly true. Getting through the hair with traditional methods can be quite challenging.

It is believed that smoking, alcohol consumption and poor diet all contribute to scalp psoriasis. Though the exact cause and effect relationship between these lifestyle choices is not precise, it is a good idea to address all three if you are having frequent or persistent outbreaks.

Common Treatment Options For Psoriasis On The Scalp

Which scalp psoriasis treatment you decide upon will depend on the frequency and severity of your outbreaks. Treatment of the scalp is particularly tricky so you will want to catch it early. If your scalp psoriasis is mild, you can use:

• Coal tar
• Salicylic acid
• Steroid injections (used sparingly due to absorption)

If you suffer from moderate to severe outbreaks, you may have to try several approaches before finding what works for you. Your doctor will go over many of these options with you including checking for signs of a yeast infection. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck are a good indication of a yeast problem and your doctor may first want to try an antimicrobial. Other options include:

• Topical medications such as Anthralin
• Oral medications including perhaps Biologics
• Ultra violet light
• Itching may still be addressed by over the counter shampoos

When using ultra violet light treatment, you’ll likely have problems getting the rays to the scalp adequately. Parting the hair around the affected area is helpful and some people, men in particular, choose to shave their heads during treatment. Handheld devices such as powerful UV combs are helpful for delivering a strong dose of UV light to the psoriasis and if you have thinning hair or bald you can also benefit from extra time in the sun.

Finding a scalp psoriasis treatment is not necessarily difficult but it can be time consuming. You very well may have to try several different treatment options before finding one that works. Do your best to limit the causes or risk factors such as diet, exercise and bad habits. Once you have done all you can to prevent the problem, seek medical advice on the best medications and/or ultra violet therapies for your case.

Finding A Scalp Psoriasis Treatment That Works For You is a post from: Natural Psoriasis Treatments

How Does Psoriasis Affect Nails?

When you think about fingernail psoriasis and treatment options, you first have to understand that psoriasis is able to affect the way in which nails form. Those who are affected usually are afflicted with psoriasis elsewhere on their body, commonly on the joints and the skin. It’s rare to see someone that has only the condition only on the nails. In the event that nail psoriasis is severe and goes untreated, it can lead to social and functional problems.

Treatment Options For Psoriasis Affecting The Nails

Your treatment of nail psoriasis will depend upon two things: the type and severity of the condition. If you suffer from psoriasis on areas other than your nails, your doctor may not only recommend treatment to alleviate these symptoms, but you may find that it helps your nails as well. Here are several of the treatment options available:

Topical Treatments

The following medications are used in the treatment of nail psoriasis:

Dovonex – a synthetic form of Vitamin D3. This treatment is helpful because of its ability to decrease the rate of cell growth. (Also known as calcipotriene)

Corticosteroids – Higher potency versions are use as anti-inflammatories. However, they can be used on a temporary basis only.

Cordran – A steroid that’s applied to affected nails in tape form. (Also known as flurandrenolide)

5-Fluroruracil Cream – Works to reduce nail pitting.

Tazorac -  Used to help slow down cell growth. (Also known as tazarotene)

Corticosteroid Injections

In certain cases psoriasis nail treatments entail having steroid injections to the matrix or the nail bed. This may temporarily provide some relief for those who suffer from this disease.

Psoralen And Ultraviolet Light (PUVA)

PUVA is a particular kind of phototherapy. It treatment uses a UVA light as well as psoralen which is a light sensitizing drug. PUVA is found to be advantageous in slowing cell growth. When this therapy is used, it may involve an oral dose of psoralen as well as a nail application prior to treatment.

Cosmetic Nail Repair

In certain cases, it may be necessary to undergo surgery or use a urea compound to remove nails that have been deformed by the condition. Excessively long or thick nails can be filed while pitting can be smoothed through buffing and then coated with polish. Discoloration and minor deformities may benefit cosmetically from artificial nail application.

Psoriasis Nail Treatments – What To Do When Psoriasis Affects Your Fingernails is a post from: Natural Psoriasis Treatments

In many cases, children will develop psoriasis after a cold or other respiratory illness. The condition is non-contagious, but it can be distressing for the parent and for the child. Some people will go into remission while others will not, and if the psoriasis sores are in a visible spot, it can also cause some embarrassment or teasing.

Talking With Your Child About Psoriasis

If your child has psoriasis, it’s important to make a few facts clear to them. Young children can be given an outline of the condition, while older children can be given more advanced literature. Psoriasis often manifests as reddened lesions covered with a silvery scale, and though it can be irritating and even painful, it is not life-threatening in most cases.

The sores themselves can be sore to the touch, though some people find that the worst problem is the itching. It is a condition that affects about one person in forty, and though there’s often a genetic trigger for the condition, it can also occur even when there is no history of such in the family.

In children psoriasis might be something that is mistaken as the chicken pox when it appears, usually because it follows a respiratory illness. It’s typically diagnosed by a doctor who recognizes it by its appearance, and it’s usually confirmed through a skin sample or a biopsy. Some common forms of the condition include plaque psoriasis, which is the most common, guttate psoriasis, which forms tear drop shaped lesions and inverse psoriasis, where lesions are located in the folds of the skin.

While there is no cure for psoriasis, there are many treatments that can improve the symptoms or even send them into remission. Topical ointments are usually recommended if the lesions are not too severe and they might contain anything from steroid creams to vitamin A and vitamin D. Another treatment that is often recommended is phototherapy, where the skin is exposed to UVB light for the space of three to five weeks. In severe cases, where the skin growth needs to be slowed down, medications meant to suppress the immune system might be used.

With Psoriasis Children May Have A Difficult Time Dealing With Peers

When a child is dealing with stress from school and from their peers, psoriasis can seem like the end of the world. Help them explain the illness to their friends and to their friends’ families if need be, and remember that they are going through a rough time. Talk about how they feel about concealing the lesions and whether that is something that they want to do. Help them nurture a healthy self image that would help them combat these issues.

There’s no question that dealing with psoriasis in children can be challenging for you as well as for your suffering child. Helping your child with psoriasis is something that you should be ready to do, and the more you know about the condition, the better.

Psoriasis In Children Presents A Unique Challenge For Parents is a post from: Natural Psoriasis Treatments

Doctors are not sure what causes psoriatic arthritis but suspect it may be genetic since people with psoriasis have a much higher rate of arthritis than those who don’t. Environmental factors and immune system response also play a part in the development of this condition.

The severity of symptoms varies among individuals. Some may have mild psoriasis accompanied by arthritis of one joint only. Others may develop arthritis in many joints of the body including the spine.

5 Types Of Psoriatic Psoriasis Arthritis

There are five types of psoriatic arthritis. These are classified according to where the joint inflammation strikes. Symmetric psoriatic arthritis occurs in symmetric joints of the body, for example in both knee joints. Oligoarticular arthritis is normally mild and affects asymmetric joints like the knee on one side of the body and the elbow on the other side. Distal interphalangeal arthritis affects the joints in the toes and fingers that are closest to the nails. Spondylitis is a form of arthritis that affects the spine. Arthritis mutilans is a severe form of the disease that settles into the small joints of the feet and hands.

Symptoms And Treatment Options

Common symptoms include joint stiffness, reduced range of motion, swollen joints, tender joints, joint pain, pain and swelling of tendons where they attach to bones, skin lesions, and changes to fingernails like pitting or discoloration.

Treatment of the condition depends upon which joints are afflicted with inflammation and the severity of symptoms. Symptoms may come and go; treatment may be intermittent. Mild cases of the condition may be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin. Mild cases may also respond well to heat and cold treatments. Cold packs help to reduce swelling and increase range of motion.

Cases with more severe pain symptoms may be treated with prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) or shots of corticosteroids directly into the affected joint to reduce swelling and pain.

Patients with severe psoriatic arthritis may be treated with DMARDS (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs). These drugs work by slowing the growth of certain types of cells in the body in an attempt to slow the progression of tissue damage caused by the condition. These drugs carry the potential for serious side effects to the kidney, liver, and bone marrow so they are usually used after other forms of treatment have failed.

Methotrexate in particular is a DMARDS drug used to treat both psoriasis and arthritis. Its immunosuppressive effects help control psoriasis lesions and prevent the destruction of joint tissue.

Biologic drugs are some of the newer forms of treatment. These drugs include Humira, Remicade and Enbrel. These help to reduce swelling and pain by blocking a protein in the body that triggers inflammation.

Surgery is sometimes used as a treatment option wherein the affected joint is repaired or replaced. A joint replacement can help restore normal range of motion to an immobilized joint.

Patients with psoriatic arthritis need treatment to control psoriasis lesions and arthritic joints. With proper treatment, symptoms can usually be successfully managed. However, there is no known prevention or cure at this time. The goal of treatment is to slow the progression of the disease, provide relief from pain, and maintain range of motion to the best degree possible.

Psoriasis And Arthritis Symptoms May Be A Sign Of Psoriatic Arthritis is a post from: Natural Psoriasis Treatments