PSORIASIS CURE & TREATMENTS IN AYURVEDA

About Psoriasis:

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious.

There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white build-up of dead skin cells, called scale. Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body and is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression

Type of psoriasis

Psoriasis appears in a variety of forms with distinct characteristics. Typically, an individual has only one type of psoriasis at a time. Generally, one type of psoriasis will clear and another form of psoriasis will appear in response to a trigger.

Plaque Psoriasis - (psoriasis vulgaris)

    

 

Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) is the most prevalent form of the disease. About 80 percent of those who have psoriasis have this type. It is characterized by raised, inflamed, red lesions covered by a silvery white scale. It is typically found on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back.

Guttate Psoriasis -

Guttate [GUH-tate] psoriasis is a form of psoriasis that often starts in childhood or young adulthood. The word guttate is from the Latin word meaning "drop." This form of psoriasis appears as small, red, individual spots on the skin. Guttate lesions usually appear on the trunk and limbs. These spots are not usually as thick as plaque lesions.

Guttate psoriasis often comes on quite suddenly. A variety of conditions can bring on an attack of guttate psoriasis, including upper respiratory infections, streptococcal throat infections (strep throat), tonsillitis, stress, injury to the skin and the administration of certain drugs including antimalarials and beta-blockers.

Inverse Psoriasis -

Inverse psoriasis is found in the armpits, groin, under the breasts, and in other skin folds around the genitals and the buttocks. This type of psoriasis appears as bright-red lesions that are smooth and shiny. Inverse psoriasis is subject to irritation from rubbing and sweating because of its location in skin folds and tender areas. It can be more troublesome in overweight people and those with deep skin folds.

Pustular Psoriasis -

Primarily seen in adults, pustular psoriasis is characterized by white blisters of noninfectious pus (consisting of white blood cells) surrounded by red skin. There are three types of pustular psoriasis.

Pustular psoriasis may be localized to certain areas of the body, such as the hands and feet, or covering most of the body. It begins with the reddening of the skin followed by formation of pustules and scaling.

Pustular psoriasis may be triggered by internal medications, irritating topical agents, overexposure to UV light, pregnancy, systemic steroids, infections, stress and sudden withdrawal of systemic medications or potent topical steroids.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis -

Erythrodermic [eh-REETH-ro-der-mik] psoriasis is a particularly inflammatory form of psoriasis that affects most of the body surface. It may occur in association with von Zumbusch pustular psoriasis. It is characterized by periodic, widespread, fiery redness of the skin and the shedding of scales in sheets, rather than smaller flakes. The reddening and shedding of the skin are often accompanied by severe itching and pain, heart rate increase, and fluctuating body temperature.

Psoriasis of a Finger Nail

People experiencing the symptoms of erythrodermic psoriasis flare should go see a doctor immediately. Erythrodermic psoriasis causes protein and fluid loss that can lead to severe illness. The condition may also bring on infection, pneumonia and congestive heart failure. People with severe cases of this condition often require hospitalization.

Known triggers of erythrodermic psoriasis include the abrupt withdrawal of a systemic psoriasis treatment including cortisone; allergic reaction to a drug resulting in the Koebner response; severe sunburns; infection; and medications such as lithium, anti-malarial drugs; and strong coal tar products.

Causes of psoriasis

No one knows exactly what causes psoriasis. However, it is understood that the immune system and genetics play major roles in its development. Most researchers agree that the immune system is somehow mistakenly triggered, which causes a series of events, including acceleration of skin cell growth. A normal skin cell matures and falls off the body in 28 to 30 days. A skin cell in a patient with psoriasis takes only 3 to 4 days to mature and instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up on the surface of the skin, forming psoriasis lesions.

Scientists believe that at least 10 percent of the general population inherits one or more of the genes that create a predisposition to psoriasis. However, only 2 percent to 3 percent of the population develops the disease. Researchers believe that for a person to develop psoriasis, the individual must have a combination of the genes that cause psoriasis and be exposed to specific external factors known as “triggers.”

Learn more about genetic and immune system involvement in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis triggers

Psoriasis triggers are not universal. What may cause one person’s psoriasis to become active, may not affect another. Established psoriasis triggers include:

Stress

Stress can cause psoriasis to flare for the first time or aggravate existing psoriasis. Relaxation and stress reduction may help prevent stress from impacting psoriasis.

Injury to skin

Psoriasis can appear in areas of the skin that have been injured or traumatized. This is called the Koebner [KEB-ner] phenomenon. Vaccinations, sunburns and scratches can all trigger a Koebner response. The Koebner response can be treated if it is caught early enough.

Medications

Certain medications are associated with triggering psoriasis, including:

    Lithium: Used to treat manic depression and other psychiatric disorders. Lithium aggravates psoriasis in about half of those with psoriasis who take it.

     Antimalarials: Quinacrine, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine may cause a flare of psoriasis, usually 2 to 3 weeks after the drug is taken. Hydroxychloroquine has the lowest incidence of side effects.

     Inderal: This high blood pressure medication worsens psoriasis in about 25 percent to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis who take it. It is not known if all high blood pressure (beta blocker) medications worsen psoriasis, but they may have that potential.

    Quinidine: This heart medication has been reported to worsen some cases of psoriasis.

     Indomethacin: This is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat arthritis. It has worsened some cases of psoriasis. Other anti-inflammatories usually can be substituted. Indomethacin's negative effects are usually minimal when it is taken properly. Its side effects are usually outweighed by its benefits in psoriatic arthritis.

Other triggers

Although scientifically unproven, some people with psoriasis suspect that allergies, diet and weather trigger their psoriasis. Strep infection is known to trigger guttate psoriasis.

Prevalence

  Psoriasis is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases in the U.S.

  According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as many as 7.5 million Americans—approximately 2.2 percent of the population--have psoriasis.

  125 million people worldwide—2 to 3 percent of the total population—have psoriasis.

  Studies show that between 10 and 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis.

  Psoriasis prevalence in African Americans is 1.3 percent compared to 2.5 percent of Caucasians.¹

Quality of life related to Psoriasis

  Psoriasis is not a cosmetic problem. Nearly 60 percent of people with psoriasis reported their disease to be a large problem in their everyday life.

  Nearly 40 percent with psoriatic arthritis reported their disease to be a large problem in everyday life.³

  Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis experienced a greater negative impact on their quality of life.⁴

  Psoriasis has a greater impact on quality of life in women and younger patients.⁴

Age of onset related to Psoriasis

  Psoriasis often appears between the ages of 15 and 25, but can develop at any age.

  Psoriatic arthritis usually develops between the ages of 30 and 50, but can develop at any age.

Severity of psoriasis

    The National Psoriasis Foundation defines mild psoriasis as affecting less than 3 percent of the body; 3 percent to 10 percent is considered moderate; more than 10 percent is considered severe. For most individuals, the palm of the hand is about the same as 1 percent of the skin surface. However, the severity of psoriasis is also measured by how psoriasis affects a person's quality of life.

     Nearly one-quarter of people with psoriasis have cases that are considered moderate to severe.

Genetic aspects of psoriasis

     About one out of three people with psoriasis report having a relative with psoriasis.

    If one parent has psoriasis, a child has about a 10 percent chance of having psoriasis. If both parents have psoriasis, a child has approximately a 50 percent chance of developing the disease.

Other health concerns associated with psoriasis
and psoriatic arthritis

Individuals with psoriasis are at an elevated risk to develop other chronic and serious health conditions also known as "comorbid diseases" or "comorbidities." These include heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes. People with more severe cases of psoriasis have an increased incidence of psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, depression, obesity, and other immune-related conditions such as Crohn's disease¹.

Cardiovascular risk

An October 2006 study confirmed the increased risk of cardiovascular disease for psoriasis patients, especially those with severe psoriasis in their 40s and 50s. Psoriasis patients should examine their modifiable risk factors—for example, quit smoking, reduce stress and maintain a normal weight.

Depression

Psoriasis can cause considerable emotional distress for patients, including decreased self-esteem, and an increased incidence of mood disorders, such as depression. One study estimates that approximately one-fourth of psoriasis patients suffer from depression. Learn more about the risk for developing depression. 

Cancer

A number of studies have found an increased risk of certain types of cancer in psoriasis patients, such as a form of skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma and lymphoma. In some instances, these cancers have been associated with specific psoriasis treatments which suppress the immune system. Patients should follow recommended regular health screenings for cancer and avoid high risk behaviors.

Resources

The National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board urges psoriasis patients to work with their doctors to outline an appropriate preventative program based on individual medical histories and known risk factors to ensure they are continually monitoring for the potential onset of any health issues related to psoriasis.

Conception and pregnancy

In general, psoriasis does not affect the male or female reproductive systems. However, many psoriasis treatments require special precautions before and during pregnancy. It is important to consult with your doctor to verify your psoriasis treatments are safe for pregnancy and nursing.

How psoriasis changes during pregnancy

Some women see an improvement in the severity of their psoriasis during pregnancy, while others report their psoriasis gets worse. Changes in severity of psoriasis vary by individual and from pregnancy to pregnancy.

Psoriatic arthritis and pregnancy

Although medications should be limited during conception and pregnancy, this may be impossible for those who have psoriatic arthritis. Some pain medications can be used safely during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about all over-the-counter and prescription medications you take before conception, during pregnancy and while nursing.

Genetic aspects of psoriasis

Psoriasis is believed to be a genetic disease, but it does not follow a typical dominant or recessive pattern of inheritance. No one can predict who will get psoriasis as researchers do not completely understand how psoriasis is passed from one generation to another. The pattern of inheritance probably involves multiple genes or combinations of many genes, and the search is on to find those genes.

About one out of three people with psoriasis report that a relative has or had psoriasis. If one parent has psoriasis, a child has about a 10 percent chance of having psoriasis. If both parents have psoriasis, a child has approximately a 50 percent chance of being diagnosed with the disease.

Studies of identical twins with psoriasis show that psoriasis is at least partially genetic. But those same studies also reinforce the complexity of psoriasis. In about one-third of identical twin pairs where psoriasis is present, only one twin has the disease, indicating that environmental factors or “triggers” play a role in who develops psoriasis. The theory that psoriasis is triggered by a combination of genes and external forces is called "multifactorial inheritance." Once the genes responsible for psoriasis are discovered, the inheritance pattern may be better understood. 

Discrimination

Many people with psoriasis report facing discrimination in public places such as swimming pools, hair salons and gyms because others fear psoriasis is contagious. Fortunately, there are federal laws designed to protect you from discrimination. When it comes to challenging discrimination, you are your own best advocate.

Accessing health care

As with most chronic, autoimmune diseases, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis require ongoing treatment. In order to best manage your condition, it is important to see a doctor regularly who specializes in treating psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis.

Navigating the health care system and applying for disability are not always easy, so we've compiled this list of resources for you to help you access the care you need to get—and stay—healthy with a chronic condition.

About psoriasis in children

Psoriasis is a genetic skin disease associated with the immune system. The immune system causes skin cells to reproduce too quickly. A normal skin cell matures and falls off the body’s surface in 28 to 30 days. However, skin affected by psoriasis takes only three to four days to mature and move to the surface. Instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up and form lesions. The skin also becomes very red due to increased blood flow.

Who is affected?

The disease affects as many as 7.5 million people in the U.S, about 2.6 percent of the population. Psoriasis occurs nearly equally in men and women across all socioeconomic groups. It occurs in all races, though Caucasians are slightly more affected.

Ordinarily, people have their first outbreak between the ages of 15 and 35, but it can appear at any age. Approximately one-third of those who get psoriasis are under 20 years old when the disease first surfaces.

Every year, roughly 20,000 children under 10 years of age are diagnosed with psoriasis. Sometimes it is misdiagnosed because it is confused with other skin diseases. Symptoms include pitting and discoloration of the nails, severe scalp scaling, diaper dermatitis or plaques similar to that of adult psoriasis on the trunk and extremities. Psoriasis in infants is uncommon, but it does occur. Only close observation can determine if an infant has the disease.

Cause of Psoriasis

No one knows exactly what causes psoriasis, but it has a genetic component. Most researchers agree that the immune system is somehow mistakenly triggered, which speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells.

Researchers believe that for a person to develop psoriasis, certain steps must happen. The individual must receive a combination of different genes that work together to cause psoriasis. The individual must then be exposed to specific factors that can trigger his or her particular combination of genes to cause the disease. These triggers are not yet fully understood or defined; however, certain types of infection and stress have been identified as potential triggers.

If one parent has the disease, there is about a 10 percent chance of a child contracting it. If both parents have psoriasis, the chance increases to 50 percent. No one can predict who will get psoriasis. Scientists now believe that at least 10 percent of the general population inherits one or more of the genes that create a predisposition to psoriasis. However, only 2 to 3 percent of the population develops the disease.

Triggers

Some young people report the onset of psoriasis following an infection, particularly strep throat. One-third to one-half of all young people with psoriasis may experience a flare-up two to six weeks after an earache, strep throat, bronchitis, tonsillitis or a respiratory infection.

Areas of skin that have been injured or traumatized are occasionally the sites of psoriasis, know as the “Koebner [keb-ner] phenomenon.” However, not everyone who has psoriasis develops it at the site of an injury.

The cause of psoriasis is not known, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Factors that may aggravate psoriasis include stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. There are many treatments available, but because of its chronic recurrent nature psoriasis is a challenge to treat.

 Clinical classification of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing disease of the skin, which may be classified into nonpustular and pustular types as follows:

• Nonpustular psoriasis
   
  • Psoriasis vulgaris (Chronic stationary psoriasis, Plaque-like psoriasis)
  • Psoriatic erythroderma (Erythrodermic psoriasis)
     
• Pustular psoriasis
   
  • Generalized pustular psoriasis (Pustular psoriasis of von Zumbusch)
  • Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (Persistent palmoplantar pustulosis, Pustular psoriasis of the Barber type, Pustular psoriasis of the extremities)
  • Annular pustular psoriasis
  • Acrodermatitis continua
  • Impetigo herpetiformis

Additional types of psoriasis include

• Drug-induced psoriasis
• Inverse psoriasis
• Napkin psoriasis
• Seborrheic-like psoriasis

(content courtesy - The National Psoriasis Foundation)
      © 2009 National Psoriasis Foundation