Psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

Forms of psoriasis

Causes of psoriasis

Triggers for psoriasis

Psoriasis prevention/remedies/treatment/cures

References

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious disease that mainly affects the skin. It causes patches of red, thickened skin with silvery-white scales, although some patients have no skin symptoms. These scaly patches (psoriatic plaques) are areas of inflammation where the skin is growing too fast. Plaques usually occur on the skin of the trunk, elbows and knees, but can affect any area including fingernails, toenails, the scalp, palms of hands and soles of feet, inside skin folds, and genitals. It tends to occur on the skin on the outside of joints, rather than the inside (in contrast, eczema more likely to be on the skin on the inside of joints).

Psoriasis is currently suspected to be autoimmune in origin. The cause of psoriasis is not exact, but it is also believed to have a genetic component.

Psoriasis affects both sexes equally, and can occur at any age. Most commonly it appears for the first time between the ages of 15 and 25 years.

It affects 2-3% of the population in USA and other western countries. About a third of those affected have a moderate to severe case. One in three of those affected have a family history of the disease.

Psoriasis causes itching, pain, social embarrassment, and is costly and time-consuming to care for. Some people suffer depression and social / sexual isolation as a result of their embarrassment about their condition.

Forms of psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) is the most common form, comprising 80-90% of cases. It varies in severity from minor localised patches to complete body coverage. The areas can be itchy and painful.

Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy). Sometimes nail psoriasis occurs in isolation. It shows as a discolouring under the nail plate, pitting of the nails, lines going across the nails, thickening of the skin under the nail, and the loosening or crumbling of the nail.

Psoriatic arthritis affects the joints, most commonly the fingers and toes. It causes a sausage-shaped swelling of fingers and toes. About 10-30% of people who have psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Ten to fifteen % of people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis.

Pustular psoriasis appears as raised bumps that are filled with non-infectious pus (pustules). The skin around the pustules is red and tender. It usually affects hands and feet, but can appear anywhere on the body.

Causes of psoriasis

• Autoimmune disease - possibly the result of an assault or upset to the immune system.
• Genetic. Psoriasis may have a genetic component, with a 70% chance of an identical twin developing it if the other twin has it. One in three persons with psoriasis have a family history of the disease.
• Damage to the gut biome. Psoriasis is often associated with irritable bowel disease or other digestive problems. (3)
• Trauma on skin.
• Chronic stress.
• Pyroluria.
• Various toxins.
• Salicylate intolerance. Aspirin is a form of salicylate, and salicylates are also found in many household products. Numerous plants contain salicylates, which they use to protect against pests, fungi and diseases. Salicylates are a preservative. Unripe fruits contain very high levels of salicylates, but the level goes down as the fruit ripens, but only if the fruit is still on the tree.
  
  Tea, peppermint tea, wines.
  
  Many spices, particularly cayenne pepper, chili, peppermint and curry powder.
  
  Peanuts and almonds.
  
  Fruits and berries. The greener they were picked, the higher the salicylate content. Note that most fruits are picked green and then artificially made to look ripe using ethylene gas. Bananas have virtually none. Most salicylates are in the skins, so peeling pears, apples and so on lowers the level dramatically.
  
  Vegetables. Pepper, capsicum, chili, tomato, chicory, radish and gherkin have the highest levels, but many other vegetables also contain salicylates.
• A streptococcal infection can cause guttate psoriasis. See strep throat.

Triggers for psoriasis

• Stress, in various forms.
• Prolonged injury to the skin (skin stress).
• A scratch or cut that allows the entry of microorganisms (yeast, bacteria) that would not normally be a problem, but the immune system over-reacts.
• Dry skin.
• Infections throughout the body.
• Changes in seasons / climate.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Various medicines or pharmaceuticals.
• Hair spray, some face creams or hand lotions.
• Smoking.
• Obesity.

Psoriasis prevention/remedies/treatment/cures

• Lemon juice. This is by far the most popular remedy used by visitors to Grow Youthful. Squeeze a fresh lemon, and apply the juice directly onto the psoriasis. It may sting a little, and then the itching stops almost immediately. Apply the lemon juice twice a day and you will soon see great results. You can also drink lemon juice mixed with water.
• Sunlight.
• Fasting or low calorie diet. (1)
• Diet. Salicylate-free diet for some people.
• Boron.
• N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAD). (3)
• Get sufficient sleep and exercise. (2)
• Living food as described in my recipe book, or vegetarian. (1)
• Cod liver / fish oil taken internally. (1)
• Vitamins A, D, E.
• Flowers of sulphur.
• Urine therapy.
• Neem.
• Methylene blue.
• Treat the skin gently, do not use shower scrubs.
• Moisturise the skin.
• Avoid alcohol, smoking, being overweight, stressful situations. (2)
• Inclined Bed Therapy (IBT). IBT costs nothing, has no side effects except good ones, and is sometimes miraculously effective. Why wouldn't you try it?

References

1. Wolters M. Diet and psoriasis: experimental data and clinical evidence. October 2005. Br J Dermatol 153 (4): 706-714.

2. Treloar V. Integrative dermatology for psoriasis: facts and controversies. 2010. Clinics in Dermatology 28 (1): 93-99.

3. Salvatore S, Heuschkel R, Tomlin S, Davies SE, Edwards S, Walker-Smith JA, French I, Murch SH. A pilot study of N-acetyl glucosamine, a nutritional substrate for glycosaminoglycan synthesis, in paediatric chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2000 Dec;14(12):1567-79. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2000.00883.x. PMID: 11121904.