This is characterized by formation of erythematous papules or patches with clear margins and covered with white scales, in different parts of the body without any constitutional disturbances.
Psoriasis is more common among young adults of either sex and occasionally a family history is present. This has a seasonal prevalence often appearing in winter and clearing up in summer. The course in chronic, very obstinate and tends to recur after an apparent cure. It disappears without leaving scars or pigmentation. It is not infectious.
The epithelial layer of the skin is thickened and intercappilary processes and papillae are elongated, the horny layer is defective and there is cellular infiltration between the horny cells and blood vessels.
The disease usually starts as a tiny erthymatous papule with thin scales on the top, which may not be visible to the naked eye, but on scraping the surface, dry silver white scales are demonstrated. As more silvery or miraculous scales are heaped up, it gradually enlarges centrifugally may be forming one continuous sheet. The size varies from that of pea to several inches. May be many, of the size of raindrops and bigger rings. Coming together form convulated figures. These may be in only localized patches involving the extensors or the flexures of the body.
The localized patches are usually on the tip of the elbows, over the patella; sometimes the lumbosacral region, calves, forearm and the scalp. The flexures are involved, these being in the axillae, sub mammary folds, umbilicus genitocrural folds and the intergluteal clefts. Sometimes the disease is more generalized and may be associated with constitutional disturbances.
The nails are characteristically pitted or striated with thick masses of scales underneath. Slight itching may be present in some cases. General health is not impaired.
Recent studies have shown that psoriasis involves abnormality in the mechanism in which the skin grows and replaces itself. The abnormality is related to the metabolism of amino acids, the nature's basic building blocks for the reproduction of cell tissues. Heredity also plays a role in the development of psoriasis, as it tends to occur in families. The factors that aggravate and precipitate the outbreak of these diseases are physical and emotional stress, infections, and use of certain medicines for the treatment of other diseases.
HOME REMEDIES FOR PSORIASIS
Take less spicy and easily digestible food in this disorder. More fruits, vegetable, fruit juices etc are very valuable for this. Bitter gourd, curd, boiled vegetables pumpkin these are good for this disease. All animal fats, eggs, processed canned foods should be avoided. Keep the bowels clean. Keep your towel, clothes separate and clean. Apple cider vinegar (which apparently helps to re-establish the balance of the PH) -- put it on with a towel on your head for about 1/2 hour to an hour, then wash it out with an herbal shampoo for dry scalp that has natural oils (jojoba, olive, etc) and no sodium laurel sulfate. At night, rub aloe vera and jojoba oil into the scalp and sleep in it overnight to let it soak in. This is very useful home remedy for paoriasis. Take cod liver oil, lecithin, linseed oil, vitamin E, and zinc to fasten the healing process. For psoriasis treatment apply aloe vera gel, garlic oil, and comfrey and goldenseal tea. Take chickweed, dandelion, red clover, redmond clay, and yellow dock for symptom relief. Milk Thistle is a great system cleanser that works wonders for psoriasis. Keep the skin hydrated. Apply emollients frequently, especially immediately after bathing while the skin is still wet. Sunlight has always been a popular psoriasis home remedy. Reducing stress in life can reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks of psoriasis. Put in the bowl the oak bark and walnut, and mix together. Throw 25 grams of this mixture in 1/4 liter of water and bring to a boil. Take out after one minute. Add 30 grams of ground clove and let boil for 30 minutes. Filter the mixture that you get. Apply the preparation while it is warm with a compress, and apply on the affected part for 30 minutes. For best results repeat this process 3 or 4 times per day. This is also very useful home remedy for paoriasis. Cabbage leaves have been successfully used in the form of compresses in the treatment of psoriasis. They should be thoroughly washed in warm water and dried with a towel. The leaves should be flattened, softened and smoothed out by rolling them with a rolling pin after removing the thick veins. They should he warmed and then applied smoothly to the affected part in an overlapping manner. A pad of soft woolen cloth should be put over them. Then secure it with an elastic bandage. Bitter gourd is a valuable home remedy for psoriasis. A cup of fresh juice of this vegetable, mixed with a teaspoon of limejuice, should be taken sip by sip, on an empty stomach daily for four to six months The oil of avocado has been found beneficial in the treatment of this disease. It should be applied gently to the affected parts The oil extracted from the outer shell of the cashew nut is acrid and rubefacient. It can be applied on the affected area to get good results. The use of curd in the form of buttermilk has proved useful in psoriasis and the patient should drink it in liberal quantities. The application of buttermilk compresses over the affected parts will also be helpful in treating this condition Lecithin is also considered a remarkable remedy for psoriasis. The patient may take six to nine lecithin capsules a day-two or three capsules before or after each meal. If taken in the form of granules, four tablespoonfuls may be taken daily for two months. The dosage may be reduced thereafter to two tablespoons
For psoriasis treatment a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits should be taken. Hot Epsom salts baths also prove valuable in psoriasis. After an Epsom salts bath, a little olive oil may be applied.