We know that psoriasis is a recurring autoimmune disorder which is characterized by red and flaky patches on the skin. It affects your skin, but actually begins deep inside your body in your immune system. This condition comes from T cells which are type of white blood cells. These cells are designed to protect the body from disease and infection. When these cells mistakenly become active and they set off other immune response, then it can lead to symptoms of psoriasis.
Scales can develop on joints, such as knees and elbows. They can occur anywhere on the body, including the face, hands, feet, neck and scalp. Also, there are some cases when psoriasis can affect the area around the genitals, the mouth and nails. There are different types of psoriasis, such as erythrodermic psoriasis; inverse psoriasis; pustular psoriasis; guttate psoriasis; plaque psoriasis.
The most common symptoms of plaque psoriasis are red, raised and inflamed patches of skin; painful, swollen joints; thick and pitted nails; whitish – silver scales or plaques on the red patches; itching and burning sensations around patches; soreness around patches; dry skin that may crack and bleed. This condition is not contagious and if you have psoriasis, then you cannot pass to other people. If you suffer from psoriasis, then you need to talk with your doctor before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies in order to avoid side effects. Here are some natural cures:
Mahonia Aquifolium treat psoriasis
This is a powerful antioxidant herb which is playing an important role in the immune response. There are some studies in which are said that applying a cream which has 10% Mahonia is very effective in the natural treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis. It belongs to the alkaloid family and this is a reason why it should be used only in topical way. [1,2]
Turmeric
This home remedy is possessing antioxidant and anti – inflammatory properties. It has curcumin, an active ingredient, which has the ability to alter gene expression. There was one study in 2012 in which was said that turmeric has the ability to minimize to alter TNF cytokine expression which is linked to minimizing psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis flares. You can take turmeric in supplement or pill form. Also, if you want curries, then you can add it t your food. It is recommended taking 1.5 – 3 grams of this natural cure on daily basis to be safe. You should talk with a naturopathic practitioner to help you with the right dosage for you. [3]
Tea tree oil
This oil comes from the leaves of a plant which is native to Australia. It is believed that it has antiseptic properties and it can be applied to the skin. Some people have found that using shampoos with tea tree oil can help them to get a relief from the scalp psoriasis. But there are no scientific studies to prove the effectiveness of the tea tree oil on psoriasis. You should use tea tree oil with a care because some people can be allergic to it. [4]
Take dietary supplements
It is known fact that dietary supplements can help to ease the psoriasis symptoms from inside. You can take evening primrose oil, Oregon grape, Aloe Vera, milk thistle, Vitamin D and fish oil because these natural cures can ease the mild symptoms of psoriasis. Also, it is very important to talk with your doctor before you start taking some of the mentioned supplements, so in this way you will be sure that they will not interfere with the medications that you are taking or with some health conditions that you have.
Oats
Oats are some of the best skin soothers which you can find in the nature. There are no scientific studies to support the use of oats for relieving psoriasis symptoms. There are many people who have said that applying an oat paste or taking a bath in oats helped them to get a relief from the itchy skin and reduce the redness. [5]
Avoid fragrances
It is known that most soaps and perfumes have dyes and other chemicals in them which can irritate your skin. They can make you to smell great, but also they can inflame psoriasis. You should avoid these products whenever you can or you should choose products that are used for sensitive skin.
Epsom salt
You can add Epsom salt to your lukewarm bath water and you should soak in the tub for about fifteen minutes. This can help you to remove scales and ease itching. You should apply moisturizer to your skin as soon as you get out of the tub. You can see improvements in your condition. You should know that the warm water can irritate your skin. Also, olive oil, milk and mineral oil can soothe the itching and infiltrate plaques and scales.
Capsaicin
This is an ingredient found in chili peppers which makes them hot. When this ingredient is added to creams and ointments, then it blocks nerve endings which transmit pain. There are some studies in which are said that the OTC creams which have capsaicin can help to reduce the scaling, redness and inflammation associated with psoriasis. But there should be done a lot more studies in future to approve its long – term usage and safety. There are some people who have said that they felt a burning sensation when the capsaicin ointment is applied. [6]
Apple cider vinegar help in psoriasis
This home remedy has been used by ancient cultures as a disinfectant. It can help you to get a relief from scalp itch caused by psoriasis. You can apply it to your affected areas. If you have cracked wounds or if they are bleeding, then you should avoid this home remedy because it can irritate your skin and cause you a burning sensation. Usually, this home remedy gives better results in a period of few weeks but you should talk with your doctor before you start using it.
Stop smoking
You should stop smoking because it is known fact that smoking can increase your risk of psoriasis. If you already have psoriasis, then smoking can make your symptoms worse. [7]
Avoid alcohol
It is known that alcohol is a trigger factor for many people who have psoriasis. There was one study in 2015 in which was found that women who drank nonlight beer have increased risk of psoriasis. Those women who drank at least five nonlight beers per week have two times more chances to develop psoriasis compared to women who do not drink alcohol.
Reduces stress
We know that any chronic condition, including psoriasis, can be a source of stress. This can turn your life into nightmare because it worsens the symptoms of psoriasis. You should try stress – reducing practices, such as meditation and yoga. [8,9]
Prevent dry skin
You should use a humidifier to keep the air at your office or home moist. This can help to prevent the dry skin before it starts. Also, sensitive skin moisturizes are effective way to keep your skin supple and prevent plaques from forming.
Aloe Vera
You can apply the gel from Aloe Vera plant to your skin up to 3 times per day. There are some studies in which are said that this home remedy can help to reduce the scaling and redness associated with psoriasis. There are not studies in which are said that taking Aloe Vera in tablet form can help you in the treatment of psoriasis and it can be dangerous so you should avoid it unless your doctor has recommended it.
Sunlight
Doctors are not sure how it helps, but many people have said that their symptoms get better when they get a little sunlight on regular basis. But you should not expose your skin a lot on sunlight because it can make your patches worse. You should talk with your doctor how much time you should spend on sunlight. When you go out in the sun, then you should put sunscreen on areas that you do not have psoriasis. You should be sure that your sunscreen is SPF 30 or higher and it can protect you against both UVA and UVB rays. Those sunscreens which are with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are less likely to bother your skin. [10]
Lose weight
If you are obese or overweight, then when you lose weight will help you to reduce the severity of this condition. Also, when you lose weight, will make other natural treatments more effective. It is not known how the weight interacts with psoriasis so even if your symptoms stay unchanged, losing weight is good for the overall health. [11]
Avoid trigger foods
It is known fact that psoriasis can cause inflammation but also some foods can lead to inflammation. When you avoid trigger foods, then they can improve your symptoms and these foods include dairy products; processed foods; refined sugars and red meat.
References:
[1] Janezcek M, Moy L, Lake EP, Swan J. Review of the efficacy and safety of topical Mahonia aquifolium for the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2018;11(12):42–7.
[2] Gulliver WP, Donsky HJ. A report on three recent clinical trials using Mahonia aquifolium 10% topical cream and a review of the worldwide clinical experience with Mahonia aquifolium for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. American Journal of Therapeutics. 2005;12(5):398-406.
[3] Di Nardo V, Gianfaldoni S, Tchernev G, et al. Use of curcumin in psoriasis. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2018;6(1):218–20.
[4] Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R. Tea tree oil as a novel antipsoriasis weapon. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 2012;25(3):162-3.
[5] Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Kazerouni A, Feily A. Oatmeal in dermatology: A brief review. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology. 2012;78:142-5.
[6] Bernstein JE, Parish LC, Rapaport M, et al. Effects of topically applied capsaicin on moderate and severe psoriasis vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 1986;15(3):504-7.
[7] Naldi L. Psoriasis and smoking: links and risks. Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy. 2016;6:65–71.
[8] Leovigildo ES, David RAR, Mendes AS. Stress level of people with psoriasis at a public hospital. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia. 2016;91(4):446–54.
[9] Snast I, Reiter O, Atzmony L, et al. Psychological stress and psoriasis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. British Journal of Dermatology. 2018;178(5):1044-55.
[10] Zhang P, Wu MX. A clinical review of phototherapy for psoriasis. Lasers in Medical Science. 2018;33(1):173–80.
[11] Orloff JN, Kaminetsky JR, Aziz M. Psoriasis and obesity: A review of the current literature. Skin. 2018;2(6):364-79.
