Tips on Effectively Handling Psoriasis In Children

While psoriasis usually begins in adulthood, some cases of psoriasis begin in childhood and while the disease is hard enough to deal with in adulthood, it can be very challenging to deal with for the child with psoriasis as well as for the parent and other family members. While most parents often wish that they could remove this burden from their child and put it upon themselves, it is important to move from wishful thinking to effective strategies for managing this chronic disease which may include using home remedies for psoriasis, topical treatments, light therapy for psoriasis, etc.

Psoriasis can begin at any time in childhood but usually reveals itself during the school age years which can make it even more challenging for the child having to deal with the disease as well as cruel kids. The severity of the condition will also vary from a few scaly spots to more severe and persistent forms of psoriasis. Effectively managing the disease starts with the parent and child becoming informed about this disease as well as the various treatment options that might work. Ignorance is not bliss.

Commonly Affected Areas

As with adults, the areas most affected by psoriasis in children include the scalp, knees, elbows, ears, nails, genitalia and the creases of the buttocks. Psoriasis affecting the joints (psoriasis arthritis) is very rare in children. In babies, the psoriasis lesions usually start in the diaper area and can spread to other areas of the body.

Identifying Psoriasis in Children

Psoriasis in children usually begins as raised or flat small, red areas on the body that feature thick silvery/gray scales with a clear boundary separating affected skin from unaffected skin.  These silvery/gray scales or plaques are common with plaque psoriasis which is the most common type of psoriasis in adults as well as in children.

After plaque psoriasis, the other common type of psoriasis in children is guttate psoriasis which features many tear drop shaped small scaling psoriasis lesions that are raised that usually begin after a cold or strep throat.

Scalp psoriasis is also very common in children and can be embarrassing for both adults and children as it will look like a severe case of dandruff from the severe shedding associated with this type of psoriasis. Scalp psoriasis can be along the hairline, behind the ears or cover the entire scalp.

Treating Psoriasis in Children

There are many home remedies for psoriasis that can help with dealing with psoriasis in children. Itching which is a common symptom of psoriasis can aggravate psoriasis when the area is rubbed or scratched and when children are involved, they will simply want to scratch the itch without thinking of the consequences. Scratching is something that must be deterred and some home remedies to deal with this include;

a. using gloves to cover the child's hands to prevent scratching as well as keeping the nails very short.

b. not letting the skin dry out though the use of moisturizers especially after a bath which is one of the best and simplest homeremedies for psoriasis.

c. Soothing the itching areas with a bath filled with some oatmeal, oil or tar.

d. Not using hot or cold water when bathing and instead using lukewarm water. Apply a moisturizer soon after when the skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture.

Besides the home remedies discussed above, psoriasis in children can also be treated with light therapy for psoriasis (phototherapy) but only if topical treatments do not work. Topical steroids can be used in children but only for short periods of time under the guidance of the doctor. Creams and ointments are also other topical medications that can be used in children.

Prescription medications taken orally (systematic treatment) are only used in very few cases in children when the psoriasis is very severe. Common medications commonly used in these few cases include methotrexate and cyclosporine.

There are many other treatment options that can be used to help your child manage psoriasis besides home remedies and the other tips mentioned above. There is no cure for psoriasis but it can be effectively managed even in children so that they can lead full and productive lives unencumbered by this chronic condition.

While finding a treatment that works to manage this chronic skin condition can be very challenging because there currently does not exist a psoriasis cure, it is important not to lose hope. There are many treatments such as home remedies for psoriasis, light therapy for psoriasis, medication, etc, that have worked for many sufferers. More and more people are also turning to nature to treat various conditions and one of the most effective natural treatments for psoriasis resource is shown on the right. Give it a try. What do you have to lose? It just may work for you at eliminating your child's psoriasis.

Factors to Consider To Help You Take Control Of Your Psoriasis

Having to deal with psoriasis depending on the severity can be quite challenging and in many cases, self esteem can suffer. Psoriasis is even more challenging because there isn't a psoriasis cure and doctors are still not 100% sure about what causes the disease. Although there isn't currently a psoriasis cure, there are many treatments including home remedies for psoriasis that can provide some relief. But in order to contain psoriasis, facing this challenge starts with the sufferer.

Your Attitude

Since there isn't a psoriasis cure, finding the right treatment for you will take some time and will require patience, persistence and a positive state of mind. It cannot be explained but having a positive attitude with this chronic skin condition or any other illness will help you build up your immune system, help you heal faster and help you face this diagnosis with the right perspective.

Negative thoughts on the other hand will slow down the healing process and lead to unnecessary stress relating to this condition. Stress can leave the body defenseless and increase your chances of developing the symptoms of psoriasis that will be very slow to disappear.

A positive attitude will keep you on the search for an effective treatment that will work for you whether it is using medication, light therapy for psoriasis, home remedies for psoriasis, etc, and you will be more than likely rewarded for your efforts. You need to first accept that you have a disease that cannot be cured (at least at the present time) but whether you lead a full and productive life depends on you. Never lose hope that a cure will be discovered.

Educate Yourself

Dealing with an incurable disease can leave many feeling powerless and lead to many negative emotions that may be detrimental to the healing process. One way to combat powerlessness is to learn everything there is to learn about this condition which will help you make better decisions about your condition. This will also keep you abreast of any new developments in the search for a cure for psoriasis as well as alternative treatment methods including home remedies for psoriasis.

Ask your doctor or other health care professional about where to look for good sources of information on this disease. The internet is also a great place to conduct a search for new information and perspectives on psoriasis. Joining a support group is also a great way of finding out treatment methods you may have not considered or known about including home remedies for psoriasis. A support group will also help you maintain the right attitude as you and others share your struggles and triumphs.

Take Control Of Your Health

Taking control of this disease will require you to look at areas in your life that you can change which will improve your chances of finding an effective treatment. One of the areas that you have control over is your health. Make sure that you exercise frequently and consider diet changes. Ensure that you get adequate rest and avoid activities that will be detrimental to your health such as smoking and drinking.

Give Treatment a Fair Chance

You may have to try various drugs, therapies as well as home remedies for psoriasis, to find the most effective treatment. You will need to be patient and follow instructions to the letter. It may take a while to determine whether the treatment prescribed will work for you so be patient and stick with it for a reasonable time unless you experience an adverse reaction.

Sometimes following a certain therapy may be complicated and become tedious and frustrating for you but do persist. Get your friends or family to help you with some of the steps or simply be there for you for moral support.

We all have something or other to deal with in life and psoriasis just happens to be what you have to deal with. The difference between managing this condition and keeping it under control or feeling powerless, negative and no closer to overcoming this disease lies with you. You may think that it depends on doctors or researchers but it is a mistake to think this way.

What you may discover through your own efforts such as effective home remedies for psoriasis may even work better for you that anything any doctor may prescribe.

UV Light Therapy For Psoriasis – Natural vs Artificial Light

For many patients with psoriasis, one of the best treatments for psoriasis lesions has been found to be ultraviolet (uv) light found in the sun's rays. Why uv light therapy for psoriasis works on psoriasis lesions is still a mystery. Patients can either use natural light or artificial light to treat the symptoms of psoriasis.

Ultraviolet Light

There are three forms of ultraviolet light found in the sun's rays and they are UVC which are usually blocked by the ozone layer for the most part and have no benefit for uv light therapy for psoriasis.

UVB rays are responsible for tanning skin and cannot pass through glass. These rays are also longer than UVC which are the shortest of all ultraviolet rays. UVB rays have been identified as being effective when used in uv light therapy for psoriasis.

UVA rays are the longest and can tan the skin and these rays are commonly used in tanning salons. While they are also used in uv light therapy for psoriasis, they are ineffective when they are used on their own. When combined with a drug, UVA is very effective for psoriasis treatment.

Natural Sunlight

It may seem like the most natural thing to do to simply go out into the sun if you are seeking relief from psoriasis symptoms. Like any other treatment for psoriasis, it can be effective for some people but also ineffective for others. When effective, remissions from the symptoms can last for a few weeks but again this can vary from one person to another.

Before using natural sunlight in uv light therapy for psoriasis, it is important to consult your dermatologist in order for him or her to determine your skin type. Your skin type will usually determine how effective phototherapy will be for you and a dermatologist has tools that will effectively test your skin.

Skin type and therefore sun sensitivity is affected by various factors besides skin color such as any medications you may be taking so it is important to tell your doctor about any medications you are be taking so that there is a proper skin analysis and determination of your skin's photosensitivity.

When using natural sunlight for uv light therapy for psoriasis, it is important to stick to a schedule and be persistent as it may take some time before you notice any benefits. It is also important to be cautious to prevent overexposure. Your doctor may suggest how long you may sunbathe to prevent overexposure leading to severe sunburns. Do wear sunscreen and protective sunglasses that can block uva and uvb rays on areas that are free from psoriasis lesions. Also stay out of the midday sun which is at its strongest and most dangerous at this time.

As with anyone who spends time in sunlight, it increases the risk over the long term of premature aging of the skin, freckles and in more serious cases skin cancer so it is important to have the skin evaluated by a doctor periodically when using uv light therapy for psoriasis treatment. If you notice any suspicious skin changes, notify your doctor immediately and stay out of the sun.
 

Artificial Light

This can be administered in a doctor's office or in the comfort of the home with the purchase of UVB home units. UVB light fixtures that give off artificial light have been found to be very effective for many but not all psoriasis sufferers.

A prescription is necessary if a sufferer is considering a home unit to use for uv light therapy for psoriasis. The cost for these home units varies from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Heath insurance may be able to cover the cost for these home units.

UVB home therapy will work great if you live far away from your doctor's office, if you are pregnant, if the patient is a child and if there is only so much that health insurance can cover in terms of doctor's office visits.

Whether used at home or in a doctor's office, these units can lead to a vast improvement in psoriasis symptoms and clear lesions quickly. Treatment can be stopped when lesions clear up but many patients adopt a maintenance regimen which requires several treatments each month to prolong the remission of psoriasis lesions.

With UVB units whether used at home or in a doctor's office, protective wraparound glasses are important as well as applying sunscreen to areas that are very sensitive to ultraviolet light such as the face and the back of the hands. Other precautions to take include covering the genitals for male patients. Also, only the patient should use the unit.

Some UVB units found in a dermatologist's office may be able to clear skin faster while preventing burning as well as lowering the risk of skin cancer. Just like sunlight, artificial light can also increase the risk of premature aging, developing freckles as well skin cancer so skin monitoring is important.

This is only some information on uv light therapy for psoriasis using natural sunlight or artificial light to clear psoriasis lesions. Some patients may choose one over the other or use a combination of both for treatment. Using artificial light may be more beneficial as it is administered in a controlled setting but nonetheless, any form of light therapy is definitely beneficial for many psoriasis sufferers. 

Common Systemic Drugs Prescribed For the Treatment Of Psoriasis

While there is no psoriasis cure, there are many treatment therapies that can help to alleviate the various symptoms of psoriasis or prevent flare-ups. Many treatment methods include home remedies for psoriasis, implementing a psoriasis diet, light therapy for psoriasis, homeopathy, acupuncture for psoriasis, topical treatments, etc. Taking medications internally is known as systematic therapy. Systemic therapy is usually suggested in cases of moderate to severe psoriasis.

As is common with many psoriasis treatments, what works for one patient will not necessarily work for another. This does not mean that a patient should give up on finding treatment that works for him or her. It just means that their search for a treatment regimen that works will take a little longer and they will have to try various combinations of home remedies for psoriasis, light therapy for psoriasis, acupuncture, herbs, topical creams and gels and so forth.

The following are common systemic medications that are used for the treatment of psoriasis. While they may be great at clearing up psoriasis flare-ups, they may also lead to very unpleasant side effects so talk to your doctor before, during and after use.

1. Methotrexate

Psoriasis results from the abnormal turnover of skin cells. Methothrexate has provided relief for many psoriasis sufferers by interfering with this rapid skin regeneration otherwise known as being an antimetabolite.

Methotrexate is great as a systemic treatment option for moderate to severe psoriasis as well as the painful psoriatic psoriasis in addition to other types of psoriasis such as pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis and severe plaque psoriasis.

This drug is usually taken in pill form or an injection is administered to the patient and a doctor may tell you to only take it once a week. Follow-up while on this medication is necessary to monitor the patient's reaction to the drug.

Side effects: May include loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, etc.

2. Cyclosporine

When topical medications, light therapy for psoriasis or even home remedies for psoriasis fail as well as many other treatments for psoriasis, Cyclosporine is usually recommended for those with moderate to severe resistant plaque type psoriasis.

Cyclosporine works by suppressing an aspect of the immune system that is responsible for psoriasis flare-ups and works very rapidly when compared to other systemic medications such as methrotrexate and retinoids. Relief usually begins to be noticed during the first four to eight weeks. It is usually administered to patients in pill form once a day. When treatment is discontinued, psoriasis symptoms will usually return.

Side effects: Cyclosporine should be discontinued after a year because it can lead to permanent kidney damage. This drug may also increase the risk of cancer, lead to high blood pressure, excessive hair growth, nausea, diarrhea, tremor, etc.

3. Oral Retinoids

These are synthetic drugs that are derived from vitamin A and its product, vitamin A acid which are very beneficial for skin. One of the common drugs derived from vitamin A is isotretinoin or Accutane which is used for the treatment of severe acne. Acitretin or Soriatane is another oral retinoid that is derived from vitamin A and is used to treat severe forms of psoriasis.

These derivatives of vitamin A directly affect the differentiation and growth of skin cells which is why they are great treatment options for severe cases of skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. Soriatane and Accutane can both be used to clear psoriasis. These drugs can also work better when used in combination with uv light therapy for psoriasis.

When using Soriatane, it may take several weeks or months to see any results but the results may last for up to a year. The condition may get worse before it gets better after starting treatment. Soriatane works by slowing the rapid skin regeneration associated with psoriasis and helps to reduce the redness, thickness and scaling that may be noticed. Accutane may help with this as well. A daily dose should be taken with meals.

Side effects: Birth defects are commonly associated with oral retinoids so pregnant women or women planning to get pregnant are discouraged from taking these oral retinoids. Other side effects include inflammation of the pancreas, increased fats in the blood, uv light sensitivity and burns, etc.

There are many other drugs that can be prescribed for systemic treatment of psoriasis. Due to the cost and potential side effects that may be permanent, it is important to try other treatment therapies first such as acupuncture, home remedies for psoriasis, topical treatments, following a psoriasis diet, light therapy for psoriasis, etc.

Using Topical Treatments For The Treatment of Psoriasis

Treating psoriasis can be a complex process and the treatment regimen varies from one sufferer to another. Drug therapies can be used, home remedies for psoriasis can also be used, following a psoriasis diet can also be beneficial and this article discusses the use of topical treatments for the treatment of psoriasis.

Topical Treatments Commonly Used For Psoriasis

1. Moisturizer

Most people with psoriasis usually start with ensuring that they keep the skin moisturized to prevent it drying out and leading to psoriasis flare-ups. Using moisturizer liberally is possibly one of the best home remedies for psoriasis. It is definitely the easiest and least expensive way to control psoriasis. Using a moisturizer that contains an ingredient such as salicylic acid may also help to not only moisturize the skin but to remove the scales that are associated with psoriasis flare-ups.

As mentioned, consistent use of moisturizer is one of the best home remedies for psoriasis and a sufferer should try to apply it to slightly damp skin immediately after a bath or shower to help lock in the moisture on the skin.

2. Coal Tars and Anthralin

These are probably the oldest methods for treating psoriasis symptoms and a generally effective. Shampoos that contain tar are quite effective at treating scalp psoriasis and are generally available over the counter.

Some products containing tar may only be obtained with a prescription such as crude coal bars in up to a 2% ointment base. They are quite messy and may stain in addition to having a strong odor which is why they are mainly used in medical centers.

Refined tar in preparations such as liquor carbonis detergent can be added to various body and scalp ointments and lotions to treat the symptoms of psoriasis.

Anthralin is usually used for treating patches of psoriasis that are isolated. It does stain the skin and clothing and its application may be tedious but can still be used in the comfort of your home. It is also used in combination with light therapy for psoriasis for greater results.

3. Corticosteroids

Topical corticosteroids are excellent for psoriasis treatment because they help to slow the rate at which skin cells turnover as well as reduce skin inflammation. Sufferers usually use topical steroids at different strengths and they come in the form of lotions, gels, creams, foams, sprays, tape, ointments, etc. Topical steroids are not only effective but easy to use and greatly help the skin to look better which builds confidence in the sufferer.

Another way to apply topical steroids is by a doctor injecting low concentrations directly into the lesions.

The good results from topical corticosteroids do not last for very long however unless a high potency steroid is used. A high potency steroid can only be used on limited skin areas for a short period of time otherwise it could lead to various side effects such as thinning skin and stretch marks. Excessive use can also make psoriasis worse.

When you decide to stop using topical corticosteroids, it is important to not stop cold turkey. Slowly wean yourself off the steroids to prevent making lesions worse if you abruptly stop.

4. Tazorac

Vitamin A has been used for a long time to treat various skin problems from acne to wrinkles and fine lines. Consuming Vitamin A supplements on the other hand has resulted in sometimes fatal results or other health problems in some people. In order to effectively use the vitamin A without the negative side effects, synthetic topical forms were developed that are safe to use.

Tazorac is one such form and frequently used to treat the symptoms of psoriasis and requires one daily application only and can help to prevent psoriasis flare-ups in many patients for up to twelve weeks or longer.

Available in two strengths, Tazorac dries quickly, does not have an odor and does not stain skin or clothing. It effectively slows down the growth rate of the skin cells associated with psoriasis flare-ups in most patients. It is powerful enough to be used to treat tough types of psoriasis such as scalp psoriasis and psoriasis that affects the nails.

It can be effectively used in combination with other medications such as light therapy for psoriasis and high potency steroids for even better results.

The main side effect associated with its use is that is can cause skin irritation in some patients enough to stop treatment. Avoiding skin irritation can be done by using very small amounts and applying it correctly. Only small amounts are needed anyway. It is also not recommended for delicate areas of the skin such as the genitals or skin around the eyes.

While on the treatment, sun exposure is usually discouraged as it can increase the risk of having severe sunburn. It is also quite drying so applying a moisturizer first before the treatment and allowing it to dry is recommended.

The above are only a few topical medications for the treatment of the symptoms of psoriasis. Combining these treatments with other psoriasis therapies such as other home remedies for psoriasis, drug therapies, etc, may also produce even more positive results. Since there isn't a psoriasis sure, a sufferer may have to try various treatment combinations to find what works the best for him or her.

Top Alternative Therapies For The Treatment of Psoriasis

Many psoriasis sufferers use various drug therapies for the treatment of the symptoms of psoriasis with varying degrees of success making it necessary to look for treatment alternatives including the use of home remedies for psoriasis. Many sufferers usually have to use a combination of various treatment methods in order to obtain relief from this chronic skin condition. Listed below are the top alternative therapies for the treatment of psoriasis.

Use Of Herbs

Many home remedies for psoriasis use various herbs to treat the symptoms of psoriasis. The use of herbs is probably one of the oldest forms of medicine dating back many centuries. In China for instance, the use of herbs is just as popular if not more so than conventional treatment methods.

Usually the herbal treatment is tailor made for each patient which makes sense especially for psoriasis patients for whom treatment usually varies from one patient to another because there isn't a psoriasis cure at the present time and what works for one sufferer may not work for another.

Herbs are also popular with psoriasis sufferers because they are usually much cheaper than prescription medications and other medications. The use of herbs is also very popular because the herbal industry usually emphasizes going beyond the treatment of the symptoms and seeks to deal with the root cause. 

Common herbs that are used to treat skin conditions including psoriasis that can be implemented in various home remedies for psoriasis include, aloe, witch hazel, milk thistle extract also known as silymarin and capsaicin (obtained from hot peppers).

Before implementing herbal treatments, it is important to use caution and discuss the use of this alternative treatment with your doctor. Some herbs may cause an allergic reaction, increase the risk of liver damage, etc, so you need to be cautious. You can also obtain information on various herbs by contacting various institutions such as the American Holistic Medical Association.

Use of Holistic Medicine

Used for many centuries by Hindus and Greeks, this approach seeks to not only address the physical manifestations of disease but also seeks to address the patient as a whole and his or her physical, emotional and spiritual needs using powers of natural therapy. Holistic medicine relies on the patient being able to heal him or herself by healing the mind and body in order to restore balance and harmony thereby eradicating all disease sine the environment in the body will no longer be conducive for the development of sickness and disease.

Use of Acupuncture

This is an ancient Chinese practice that views the body as a system of energy pathways and treatment usually involves determining where the discrepancy is located in these energy pathways as well as where energy is blocked and fixing it using various needles at inserted into the areas where the blockages are located.

Acupuncture with psoriasis sufferers is usually used in combination with herbal treatments. Acupuncture is especially beneficial for patients that suffer from psoriatic arthritis and can help to alleviate the joint pain associated with this condition.

Use of Homeopathy

This treatment therapy was started over two centuries ago by a German pharmacist and physician named Samuel Hahnemann. Homeopathy is used with the goal of being able to stimulate the body's defenses against sickness and disease. This is accomplished by administering small doses of certain substances that are like the disease such as gold, sulphur, copper, etc.

When using homeopathy, patients are usually advised against taking other strong medications such as prescription medications. How and why this therapy works remains unknown. It simply follows a philosophy of like cures like.

Before being given a dosage, the patient will usually be asked many questions such as their lifestyle, needs, feelings, etc. This treatment method is usually slower and also tailored to each patient's individual needs. While on this therapy, some psoriasis patients may get worse before seeing any improvements which many practitioners believe means that the treatment is working.

Use of Naturopathy

This form of treatment dates back to Hippocrates (400 B.C) and follows a philosophy that the body can heal itself by following the proper nutrition and right lifestyle and has the belief that toxins are the cause of disease and sickness in the human body.

In order to remove toxins, a patient may be advised to do various things such as consume more water, alter eating habits (follow a psoriasis diet for psoriasis sufferers), reduce or eliminate the consumption of sugar, alcohol and caffeine, quit smoking if a smoker, adopt an exercise regimen, use various supplements, reduce stress using various relaxations techniques, etc. As you can see, the emphasis is on health and not necessarily fighting the various symptoms of the disease.

These are some of the top therapies for the treatment of psoriasis that have been shown to be very effective with many sufferers either used alone or in combination with other treatments including home remedies for psoriasis. 

Psoriasis Diets – The Importance of Proper Nutrition For Psoriasis Sufferers

With any disease, ensuring that the sufferer gets adequate rest, manages stress, exercises, and follows a healthy eating plan are very important when trying to overcome any sickness. The last item is of especially great importance to psoriasis sufferers to help control the condition by following a proper psoriasis diet.

Importance of a Psoriasis Diet

While there currently exists no cure for psoriasis, there are various drug therapies as well as home remedies for psoriasis that can help to alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis. Another way to manage this chronic skin condition is by following a psoriasis diet which requires making adjustments to the food consumed to help with the various symptoms of psoriasis.

While psoriasis can not be managed with a psoriasis diet alone, it can certainly help and there is no harm in trying. Psoriasis is such a complicated condition to treat and various therapies such as the use of various medicines, home remedies for psoriasis, light therapies, psoriasis diets, etc may be required before finding what works to control your particular case of psoriasis. This search and trial and error to find what works may be arduous but it is important not to lose hope and to keep trying until you find what works for you.

In addition to the various methods discussed previously, if you find that changing your diet or using various food supplements seems to help control the condition without harming you, it would seem prudent to continue with this psoriasis diet and/or food supplements.

Implementing proper nutrition is very important for a psoriasis diet especially when you think about the heavy loss of skin that results from the scales created with psoriasis as well as the inflammation during the entire period of a psoriasis flare-up which could possibly lead to nutritional deficiencies. The skin which is usually affected by psoriasis is the largest organ in the body and needs various nutrients to remain healthy. Following a proper psoriasis diet could help to add back and maintain optimal levels of nutritients.

A healthy and nutritious psoriasis diet should take into consideration the following;

• A reduction in the amount of red meat consumed
• A reduction in dairy products consumed that may aggravate psoriasis symptoms
• Reduce or eliminate foods that are high in fats and sugars. Saturated fats should be reduced or eliminated as well as trans fats which are considered "bad fats." Good fats such as monounsaturated (heart helper) and polyunsaturated (physique helper) fats should be increased. Good fats are found in foods such as certain fish like salmon and tuna, walnuts, flaxseeds, soybean oil, peanut butter, olives, olive, canola and avocado oil, etc.
• Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your psoriasis diet
• Quit smoking and drinking and it has been found that even small amounts of alcohol can still worsen psoriasis symptoms
• Consume greater amounts of fiber. Avoid any foods that have the word "enriched" in the ingredients list. Look for whole grains or packaging that says whole wheat. Fiber has great healing powers in addition to lowering cholesterol, preventing constipation and lowering the risk of cancer and heart disease. While fiber contains no nutrients, it is the only way to remove harmful toxins and chemicals quickly from the digestive tract. Being constipated as a result of not eating enough fiber will ensure that these chemicals and toxins remain in the body longer and do great harm to the body.

Fiber can also help to control weight since it helps one feel fuller sooner as maintaining a proper weight is important for psoriasis sufferers. Being obese will prevent you from responding to treatment or you will respond to treatment very slowly and relapse quickly when treatments are stopped.

• Reduce the consumption of smoked, salt cured or nitrite preserved foods
• Ensure that the psoriasis diet contains varied foods

It also goes without saying that before starting a psoriasis diet or adding food supplements to help with psoriasis treatment, it may be important for you to discuss it with your doctor first.

While finding an effective treatment for psoriasis can be a very complicated process involving various drugs, light therapy for psoriasis, home remedies for psoriasis, etc, following a psoriasis diet can also help to control the symptoms of psoriasis when used in combination with various other therapies.

What Are The Scalp Psoriasis Signs and Symptoms?

While psoriasis affects up to 3% of the population, of this percentage of psoriasis sufferers, up to 50% of them suffer from scalp psoriasis making it one of the most common and persistent types of psoriasis. It can also be one of the most difficult to treat while at the same time robbing a sufferer of their self esteem because the signs and symptoms are sometimes clearly visible to other people.

Signs and Symptoms of Scalp Psoriasis

Although the exact cause of psoriasis remains a mystery, many researchers believe that it mainly comes about through an abnormality in the immune system that causes skin to regenerate at an accelerated rate leading to skin cells piling on top of each other is evidenced by raised, red, sometimes itchy, thick areas of the skin covered with silvery/white scales. It can also affect other areas such as the nails and joints (psoriatic arthritis). Why this abnormality in the immune system occurs is unknown. Genes or the environment may be to blame but no one knows for certain.

Scalp psoriasis is evidenced by silvery/white scales on the scalp that may be thick and form thick crusts when the scales are packed tightly together which can be very itchy. Attempting to treat these scales like dandruff by picking and scratching can only make the condition worse.

The severity of this type of psoriasis can vary between mild cases that are usually not very noticeable to very severe cases when the scales can drop onto the shoulders and collar and look like a bad case of dandruff which can be quite embarrassing for the sufferer in addition to being very itchy.

A small area of the scalp can be affected or it can cover the entire scalp in severe cases of scalp psoriasis. Flare-ups usually appear behind the ears and along the hairline and may then spread over greater areas of the scalp. This condition can also affect the ear canal when enough scales spread to this area and can impact hearing.

Severe cases of scalp psoriasis may affect the hair roots leading to hair loss but most cases do not affect the hair roots. If a sufferer experiences hair loss associated with scalp psoriasis, the hair can grow back once the condition is effectively managed.

 

Treatment For Scalp Psoriasis

Since there isn't a known cure for psoriasis, treating scalp psoriasis to help minimize flare-ups can be quite a challenge as what can work for one sufferer may not necessarily work for another and will usually involve a lot of trial and error. Patience and perseverance is required in order to find the treatment therapy that will work for you.

Some of the conventional treatment therapies for scalp psoriasis include the use of medicated shampoos that contain salicylic acid, tar, selenium sulfide, steroids, etc. Various scalp solutions containing steroids can also be prescribed in the form of gels, foams, lotions, etc. Other medications that may be prescribed include Anthralin, Topical Vitamin D analogues, etc, to help to reduce cell turnover leading to the silvery/white scales. There are also many effective natural remedies but most of these will involve a lot of trial and error.

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