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SKIN DISORDERS: Psoriasis
Description
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition
characterized by red patches covered with
white scales affecting predominately the
scalp, elbows and knees. Psoriatic Arthritis involves inflammation of the joints in addition to the skin changes.
Statistical studies
show the following:
In the United States Psoriasis occurs
equally in men and women.
Globally psoriasis affects
approximately 1%-3% of the population
Though psoriasis
affects all ages it usually strikes
individuals between 15 -35 years of age.
Ten percent of people that suffer from psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis. 80% of people with psoriatic arthritis have psoriatic skin changes prior to the onset of the arthritis; only 15% of individuals with psoriasis have the arthritic changes prior to the skin changes. It may be years between the onset of each of the conditions, so often it is hard to correlate and diagnose these conditions.
Types and Symptoms
There are different types of psoriasis:
Plaque Psoriasis (the most common type)
Well defined red patches with silvery
patches
Guttate Psoriasis - small dot-like lesions.
Pustular Psoriasis - intense scaling and
lesions that tend to weep
Inverse Psoriasis - intense inflammation but
minimal scaling.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis intense inflammation
of the skin coupled with severe sloughing
Symptoms
Silvery scales atop reddened patches of skin
Dry skin that may crack and bleed
Nails are thick and ridged
Joints that are stiff and often swollen
Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms include:
Pain, heat, redness, and swelling of
affected joints
Joint stiffness, usually
worse in the mornings
May affect spine and sacrum
with resulting pain of buttocks, lower
and/or upper back and neck.
Some develop tendonitis
May cause inflammation of
eyes, lungs and aorta.
Causes of psoriasis
are:
Currently the cause of psoriasis and
psoriatic arthritis is unknown. However,
theories related to genetic, immune and
environmental causes are being closely
studied.
Genetic - certain gene mutations have been
shown in studies to cause psoriasis.
Overly active T-Cells which are part of the
immune system
Environmental factors that trigger a
psoriatic reaction: skin injury, cold
weather, stress, infections and low levels
of calcium, and certain medications.
Treatment
Treatment is based on the
type of psoriasis the individual has and
their reactions to the treatment.
Conventional treatments include:
Use
of NSAIDS to treat the inflammation
associated with Psoriatic Arthritis.
For
Psoriasis either over the counter or
prescription topicals,
which can either be a drug or an herbal
mixture,
are used as the first line of defense.
Systemic
medications that affect the entire body are
used for those who have moderate to severe
forms of psoriasis. There are drugs that are
FDA approved for treatment of psoriasis and
psoriatic arthritis.
Drugs requiring a
doctor's prescription include:
Remicade
Remicade is a monoclonal antibody used along
with methotrexate to reduce inflammation and
other symptoms associated with moderate to
severe rheumatoid arthritis. Remicade is
also used to treat the signs and symptoms of
ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis,
and certain types of severe skin psoriasis
Enbrel
Humira
Phototherapy which use of UV lights under
medical supervision
Alternative Treatments include
Acupuncture which is also used to control
the pain of psoriatic arthritis.
Food Elimination Diet (Food allergies have
been seen as a factor in most autoimmune
diseases including psoriatic arthritis)
Homeopathy
Hypnotherapy
Magnetic Therapy for pain related to
psoriatic arthritis
Questions to ask the
expert
How many years
experience have you had treating this skin
disorder
What is your
success rate
Certificates and
Licenses
References
General Tips
Take a daily bath using lukewarm water and mild soaps that have oils and
fats
Add oils, oatmeal, Epsom salt and Dead Sea salts to your bath water
Moisturize your skin frequently utilizing ointments and oils
Expose your skin to sunlight but avoid too much exposure as it increases
risk of skin cancer
Avoid exposure to cold weather
Do not drink alcoholic beverages that may weaken the effect of some of
the treatments
Stop smoking
Eat a balanced diet including food rich in caretonoids.
Get adequate sleep
Learn what triggers psoriasis and try to avoid them
Manage your stress
Dress in cotton clothing
Follow a regular exercise program (for
strengthening and maintaining or improving
joint range of movement.
List of Products &
Services
Psoriasis Cream, Psoriaflora, Homeopathic
Boericke & Tafel Topical Cream - 1 oz.
Psoriaflora Cream is a unique alternative pharmaceutical preparation that provides relief for the symptoms of psoriasis. Psoriaflora's maximum strength formula is doctor recommended and is backed by clinical research proving it's effectiveness in relieving the scaling, redness, dry skin and itching associated with psoriasis. In a 12 week study of 433 patients, 81.8% of these patients demonstrated significant improvement or disappearance of scaling and flaking skin.
Skin Soothe Wellness Oil 2 - FL. OZ.
Wonderful on eczema, psoriasis, and other
skin conditions. Works especially well when
added to a warm bath for an all-over skin
healing spa experience! Lavender, chamomile,
and sandalwood are useful for just about any
skin condition. They work particularly well
for inflammation, dermatitis, eczema,
psoriasis, boils, scarring and burns.
Black Seed Oil, Premium Cold Pressed
Black Seed Oil is an excellent healer, and
its areas of application range from external
skin care (psoriasis, eczema, dry skin,
joints & scalp massage) and to internal use
as a treatment for various complaints
(asthma, arthritis, immune system).
Barberry Tincture, 100% Organic - 2 fl. oz.
This herb can be used to treat infections, parasites, psoriasis, and vaginitis. Barberry is known to decrease heart rate, slow breathing, and reduce bronchial congestion as well. This herb is also a remedy that corrects liver function and promotes the flow of bile.
SeaOra Natural Dead Sea Mud Soap - Great for
Eczema, Psoriasis or Acne!
SeaOra All Natural Black Mud Soap contains a
unique combination of Dead Sea minerals
derived from Dead Sea Mud. This effective
mud soap removes dirt and cleanses your
skin, while simultaneously infusing it with
minerals essential to keeping your skin
hydrated and moisturized. Our Dead Sea mud
soap is enriched with century old Dead Sea
mud, leaving your skin cleansed and
nourished. As more people are learning about
the healing and beauty effects of black mud
from The Dead Sea, this soap is becoming a
very popular choice for skin care conscious
people.
Burdock Root Tincture, 100% Organic - 2 fl.
oz.
Burdock is widely recommended for treating dry, scaly skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, and has been used to treat acne. Burdock is one of the main herbs in essiac tea for fighting cancer.
Echinacea Angustifolia Root Powder - 4 oz.
Bulk
Echinacea (Echinacea Angustofolia, Purpapera,
Pallida) is an excellent herb for all kinds
of viral & bacterial infections, strengthens
the immune system against pathogenic
infection by stimulating phagocytosis &
T-Cell formation, blood cleansing
properties, acne, bronchitis, colds & flu,
congestion, psoriasis, tonsillitis, wounds,
ear infections and stimulates the immune
system.
PsorXma, Alphacura - 60 ml with dropper
psorXmaฉ the natural skin care miracle is proven effective on multi-symptom eczema and psoriasis. It's cool and soothing relieves discomfort in minutes and healing starts right away. In human test over 5 years without adverse side or after affects of any kind.
Evening Primrose Oil with Gamma-Linolenic
Acid (GLA), 1300 mg, 120 Softgels, Barlean's
Evening Primrose Oil is highly prized for its high content of a special fatty acid called Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA). Ordinarily, GLA is created in the body from dietary essential fatty acids such as those found in flax oil. However, in some people GLA is not adequately produced in the body. Evening Primrose Oil offers a direct source of GLA for these individuals.
Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Moisturizer
New Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Moisturizer provides the ultimate in skin hydration with a new, unique Moisture Boosting Zinc Complex that leaves your skin looking and feeling its best. In addition to eliminating the itching, redness and irritation that accompanies psoriasis, the new, improved formulation is infused with anti-oxidants and a specially formulated zinc complex, that provides better all day skin conditioning relief and control of: itching and irritation, redness, flaking.
Denorex Dandruff Shampoo + Conditioner, Therapeutic - Now 50% More Free
Reduces and helps eliminate scalp itching,
flaking, and scaling associated with
dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and
psoriasis.
AirSourceฎ 3000 Air Purifier
Books and Publications
Healing Psoriasis: The
Natural Alternative (Paperback)
Your Healing Diet: A Quick Guide to
Reversing Psoriasis and Chronic Diseases
with Healing Foods (Paperback)
Understanding Psoriasis
100 Q&A About Psoriatic Arthritis (100
Questions & Answers about . . .) (Paperback)
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