Psoriasis - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Psoriasis:
- What is psoriasis?
- Who gets psoriasis?
- What causes psoriasis?
- How can psoriasis be prevented?
- Does diet play a role?
- What is the treatment for psoriasis?
- What is the alternative treatment for psoriasis?
- How about Psoriacream?
- What about eczema?
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by plaques or dry, red, silvery, scaly patches of skin. Besides being unsightly, these patches are painful or sore and can also itch, burn, and sting.
These psoriatic plaques often occur at the wrist, elbow, knee, and ankle. In some severe cases, more than 85% of the body can be covered by these scaly patches.
Psoriasis is actually quite common - more than 5 million people in the United States have it. About 150,000 to 260,000 new cases are diagnosed each year - 20,000 of them occur in children younger than 10 years of age.
Scientists have yet to determine the exact cause of psoriasis. It is known, however, that flare ups can be triggered by:
- stress
- infection
- changes in climate or temperature
- skin injury
- alcohol use
- prescribed medicine, such as lithium and beta-blockers.
Other factors thought to contribute to psoriasis include:
- incomplete protein digestion
- bowel toxemia (toxins or bacteria in the intestines)
- bad liver functions
- eating too much animal fats
How can psoriasis be prevented?
Symptoms of psoriasis often subside for a while and then return in a flare up. In some people, flare-ups can occur as often as every few weeks.
Some steps that you can take to prevent psoriasis include:
- Avoiding skin injury, such as cuts and scratches
- Getting enough, but not too much sunlight
- Avoid drinking alcohol
- Treating infections as early as possible
Yes - to prevent psoriasis flare-ups, you should limit your consumption of sugar, meat, dairy products, and animal fats. It is thought that arachidonic acid, a compound found in animal tissues, can increase the levels of inflammatory agents in the body that contribute to psoriasis.
Instead, eat more high-fiber foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Dietary fibers can help flush toxins from the bowels that otherwise may be absorbed and trigger psoriasis.
Stop drinking alcohol completely. Alcohol is known to exacerbate psoriasis as it can increase the absorption of toxins in the small intestines, which then enter the bloodstream and trigger psoriasis flare-ups.
What is the treatment for psoriasis?
Medical treatments of psoriasis include:
Prescription
topicals
Prescription creams or gels containing steroids, retinoids and vitamin A derivatives, synthetic vitamin D3 derivatives, salicylic acid, and other chemical antipsoriatic agents.
- Coal tar
Derived from both coal and wood, tar is the "traditional" psoriasis treatment. Its use has been declining, however, because of the availability of other forms of treatment and the concern over coal tar's cancer-causing risks.
- Phototherapy or light treatment
In this treatment, the psoriatic lesions are exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) light. Sometimes, medication that increases the skin's sensitivity to uv light is also prescribed.
- Oral medications
Prescribed chemical anti-psoriatic oral medicines include steroids, retinoids, systemic agents such as methotrexate, as well as biologics (drugs developed from living sources, such as cell cultures).
What is the alternative treatment for psoriasis?
There are alternatives to chemical drugs and creams for the treatment of psoriasis. These include:
Aloe
vera
This famous medicinal plant has been used for centuries for various skin problems. A controlled, double-blind study has found that aloe can be very effective in the treatment of psoriasis. In this 16-week study, aloe vera extract caused psoriasis to clear up in 25 out of 30 (83%) patients as compared to 2 out of 30 (6.7%) patients with placebo.
- Apple cider vinegar
Vinegar derived from apple cider has been traditionally used as disinfectant and soothing agent. Some people have reported success in using apple cider vinegar in treating psoriasis by adding it to baths, mixing it to moisturizers, or applying it directly to the affected skin.
- Capsaicin
- Natural Oils
Some people have reported that emu oil, tea tree oil, and evening primrose oil can reduce the symptoms of psoriasis and eczema.
Tea tree oil deserves a further look - it is the natural oil of the Australian tea tree plant. Known for its antibacterial properties, tea tree oil has been used for decades as a natural antiseptic and for treating acne, burns, and cuts.
- Oats
Oatmeal paste and oat extracts can be used as soothing topicals for dry, itchy skin.
Capsaicin is the active ingredient responsible for the "hot" in cayenne peppers. It is available in many over-the-counter pain-relief creams.
In clinical studies, capsaicin has been found to decrease scaling and redness of psoriasis.
Psoriacream is a new natural cream scientifically formulated for psoriasis and eczema. The main active ingredient in Psoriacream is the exclusive Regenerativ™ peptide, a proprietary formula of natural peptide or amino acid complex that has amazing skin healing properties.
Psoriacream also contains other natural ingredients shown to be beneficial for psoriasis and healthy skin. These include aloe vera, vitamin E, vitamin B5, coconut oil, zinc sulfate (an essential trace element), and inositol (a member of the vitamin B family).
Learn more about Psoriacream's natural ingredients: FAQ - What is Psoriacream?
Eczema or dermatitis is a group of skin conditions marked with dry, hot, and itchy skin. In severe forms, the skin can become inflamed, broken and raw, with occasional bleeding.
Psoriacream's natural healing properties can also soothe and reduce all of the symptoms of eczema.
Get Psoriacream today, and see the difference in just a couple of weeks.
Questions? Call (800) 278-8002 (10am-5pm PST) |
