Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that affects both men and women. It brings about uncomfortable and sometimes painful irritation and redness to the skin. People who suffer from this skin disorder normally have a thick reddish skin with silver white flaky patches that dermatologist refer to as scales. The condition may take several forms with regards to its intensity.
It may be mild, moderate or even chronic. All these stages depend on a number of factors such as the impact on the health of the person suffering from psoriasis, response to therapies, activity of the condition and the total area of the affected skin.
There are five main types of psoriasis, namely inverse, plaque, pustular, guttae and erythrodermic. Of these five plaque psoriasis is the most common. It is characterized by red and white unpleasant looking scaly patches on the top most layer of the skin. It can affect any part of the body but the most susceptible parts are the elbows, palms, knees and the genital areas. Surprisingly the toes and the fingers can also be affected by this skin disorder. The condition may at first seem as nothing serious but if left untreated, it can case joint inflammation which can in turn bring about arthritis. Erythrodermic psoriasis if ignored or not treated on time can cause exfoliation and inflammation of the skin all over the body.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure or home remedy for psoriasis. It is therefore hard to prevent the condition. However, there are certain simple tips that can go a long way in putting the flare ups under control and cutting down the symptoms of psoriasis.
Keep your skin moist and hydrated all the time. This can be achieved by drinking lots of water daily. At least eight glasses of water daily will help you to stay healthy and hydrated. If you have other skin disorders and infections, treat them as they can worsen the effects of psoriasis. Then avoid extreme temperatures. Keep your room in moderate warm or cool temperatures. Though psoriasis is in most cases characterized by irresistible itching, you should try your best to avoid rubbing or scratching your skin. Some medications like lithium and beta blockers can worsen the condition. If you are under such medications ask your doctor for an alternative. Then avoid stress and anxiety at all costs and cut down on smoking and consuming alcohol.
An oatmeal bath or bath products is one the best home remedies of psoriasis that is aimed at soothing the skin. It can also help to dry the scales and bring about some pain relief. You can also try to boil some water with almond powder in it and apply the cool solution on the affected area the leave it overnight on your skin.
Your diet can also pay a major role as a home remedy for psoriasis. Include garlic in your diet or just eat it in its raw from. It is a natural blood purifier that can fight psoriasis and flush out symptoms. Just make sure it is in your balanced diet. If the condition or the symptoms fail to respond to any of these home remedies, consult a dermatologist as soon as you can.
