Homeopathic treatment for psoriasis has been found to be extremely effective. Homeopathy contemplates psoriasis as an immune interceded condition instigated by faulty signals in the body's immune system.

Homeopathic medicines are safe and natural with no probability of side effects and treats psoriasis without using any local ointments. The medicines work towards impeding the proliferation of skin cells which inevitably alleviates excessive scaling.

Homeopathy remedies stimulate the body's own healing potential by restoring the balance of the immune system and countering the genetic predisposition.

Homeopathic treatment will control the number and severity of lesions, minimize flare ups, improve your quality of life, reduce disability and in most cases bring about a permanent cure.

Homeopathic medicines are gentle and easy to take, are regulated by FDA and prepared according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States or Germany.

Psoriasis is an obstinate and chronic disease. There is no shortcut to its cure. The duration of treatment varies from case to case depending on the following factors :

• Duration of psoriasis.
• Areas affected. Affection of scalp and nails take longer.
• Extent of spread.
• Previous medications (Extensive use of oral cortisone or steroids may delay the course of treatment.).
• General health and associated diseases.

Most patients of psoriasis observe positive results in about 3 to 5 weeks of homeopathic treatment, though the complete curative process can take about 1 to 2 years.

Allopathy treatment of psoriasis

Allopathy doctors generally treat psoriasis in steps based on the severity of the disease, the extent of the areas involved, the type of psoriasis, or the patient's responsiveness to initial treatments. This is sometimes called the '1-2-3' approach :

1. Medicines are applied to the skin (topical treatment).
2. Focuses on light treatments (phototherapy).
3. Involves taking medicines, internally (systematic).

Potential disadvantages of allopathic treatment of psoriasis

Over time, affected skin can become resistant to treatment, especially when corticosteroids are used. Also, a treatment that works very well in one person may have little effect in another. Thus, doctors commonly use a trial and error approach to find a treatment that works, and they may switch treatments periodically if resistance to adverse reactions occur.

Topical treatments used can palliate mild to moderate psoriasis, i.e. it only suppresses. They are not recommended for long term or continuous use because of a potential increased risk of skin cancer and lymphoma. Excessive use of steroidal ointments can thin the skin and cause white spots, acne, and permanent stretch marks. Abrupt withdrawl of some topical agents, particulary corticosteroids, can cause an aggressive recurrence of the psoriasis, known as REBOUND of the condition.

Light therapy, UVB phototherapy, photochemotherapy or PUVA, excimer laser are associated with nausea, headaches, fatigue, burning and itching. Long term treatment is associated with squamous cell and melanoma skin cancers. Pregnancy must be avoided for the majority of these treatments.

The three main traditional systematic treatments are methotrexate, cyelosporine and retinoids which when used for long periods can cause a number of serious side effects, including severe liver damage and decreased production of RBC, WBC and platelets due to bone marrow suppression.

Why homeopathy for psoriasis?

Last but not the least, psoriasis is not an external but an internal disorder, arising out of faulty immune system with genetic predispositions. Needless to say that the disease is deep seated and calls for well planned deep acting homeopathic medicines. Allopathic treatment with steroids can suppress the symptoms of the disease but cannot cure the disease. On the other hand, it is homeopathic treatment that has the potential to stimulate body's natural healing capacity and to restore the disturbed immune system.

Homeopathy has gained a good reputation for curing psoriasis and other chronic skin diseases. No sticky external applications and no steroid are used. It cures naturally by increasing one's immunity and hence can cure it permanently. Medicines are completely harmless and can be taken for longer durations very safely. After starting the homeopathic treatment, the itching, burning pain gets reduced, eruptions disappear gradually and the patient feels good in every way. Homeopathy targets the source of the problem with no damaging side effects.

There are 115 homoeopathy medicines which give great relief in psoriasis. However, the correct choice and the resulting relief is a matter of experience and right judgment on the part of the homeopathic doctor. The treatment is decided after thorough case taking of the patient. Thus homeopathic remedies of psoriasis are tailor made unlike allopathy in which all patients receive the same drugs although trade name may be different.

Some of the homeopathic remedies which may be used in a case of psoriasis under an expert homeopathy doctor are Sepia officianalis, Arsenicum iodatum, Lycopodium clavatum, Graphites and so on.

For online homeopathic treatment of psoriasis, you may e-mail us on dr_ramanand@rediffmail.com

Are you tormented from red scaly patches over your skin that fixes people's eyes at you causing embarrasment? In that case this could be a symptoms of 'Psoriasis', a recurring inflammatory unsightly skin condition.

Psoriasis is a common skin disease that affects the life cycle of skin cells. Normally, new cells take about a month to move from the lowest skin layer where they are produced, to the outermost layer where they die and flake off. With psoriasis, the entire life cycle takes only days. As a result, cells build up rapidly, forming thick silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches that are sometimes painful.

Psoriasis affects the skin and joints. It commonly causes red and scaly patches to appear on the skin. The scaly patches called psoriatic plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area including the scalp and genitals. Psoriasis si hypothesized to be immune-mediated and is not contagious.

Psoriasis is a chronic recurring condition which varies in severity from minor localized patches to complete body coverage. fingernails and toenails are frequently affected and when it comes to joints it is known as psoriatic arthritis.

The course of psoriasis is characterized by remissions and relapses. There are various factors ranging from climate, stress, infections and injuries that can trigger flare up of psoriasis within short span of time. On the other hand there are certain factors such as sunlight that significantly reduces the intensity of psoriasis.

Psoriasis is categorized as mild, moderate or severe, depending on the percentage of body surface involved and the impact on the patient's quality of life.

Psoriasis affects between 1 to 2 percent of general population. In USA alone there are about 5.5 to 6 million people suffering from psoriasis. Psoriasis affects both sexes equally and can occur at any age, although it most commonly appears for the first time between the ages of 15 and 25 years. A study found that 35 percent of people with psoriasis could be classified as having moderate to severe psoriasis. Onset before the age of 40 usually indicates a greater genetic susceptibility and a more severe or recurrent course of psoriasis.

The phrase 'the heartbreak of psoriasis' is often used both seriously and ironically to describe the emotional impact of psoriasis. It may include both the effect of having a chronic uncomfortable disorder and the social effects of being self conscious of one's appearance. Living with psoriasis can be physically and emotionally challanging. In addition to its physical outcome on the skin, psoriasis can also have a devastating influence on your emotional, psychological and social well beingh.

Psoriasis has been shown to affect the health-related quality of life to an extent similar to the effects of other chronic diseases such as depression, myocardial infarction, hypertension, congestive heart failure or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Depending on the severity and location of psorisis outbreaks, individuals may experience significant physical discomfort and some disability. Itching and pain can interfere with basic funcitons, such as self-care, walking and sleep.

Plaques on hands and feet can prevent individuals from working at certain occupations, playing some sport, and caring for family members or a home. There may also be feelings that psoriasis has limited the patient's career success because employers did not understand the nature of the disease.

Patients may also deny themselves enjoyment of leisure activities because of embarrassment and fear of rejection, and psoriasis often makes patients feel unattractive to the opposite sex. Psychological distress can lead to significant depression and social isolation.

Psoriasis is a fairly IDIOSYNCRATIC DISEASE. It is very well understood about what happens to skin in psoriasis but it is very difficult to say why these changes develop. Although cold climate and some form of injury can aggravate the problem but these cannot be labelled as causes of psoriasis.

The precise cause of psoriasis continues to elude the medical fraternity. However, ongoing research in this field has improved one understanding of this disease to some extent. The recent discoveries point out that the cause of psoriasis is related to the immune system, and more specifically, a type of white blood cell called T lymphocyte or T cell.

Normally, T cells travel throughout the body to detect and fight off foreign substances, such as virus or bacteria. In people with psoriasis, however, the T cells attack healthy skin cells by mistake as if to heal a wound or to fight an infection. Overactive T cells trigger other immune responses that cause an increased production of both healthy skin cells and more T cells.

What results is an ongoing cycle in which new skin cells move to the outermost layer of the skin too quickly - in days rather than weeks. Dead skin and white blood cells cannot slough off quickly enough and build up in thick, scaly patches on the skin's surface. Thus, psoriasis is an auto immune disorder which does not stop unless homeopathic treatment interrupts the above cycle.

These may vary from person to person and may include :

• Red patches of skin covered with silvery scales.
• Small scaling spots (seen in children).
• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed.
• Blisters with pus.
• Fever in pustular psoriasis.
• Itching, burning, soreness.
• Thickened, pitted or ridged nails.
• Swollen and stiff joints.
• Discomfort and insomnia due to itching.
• Low self esteem and embarrassment because of one's looks.
• Social isolation.
• Suicidal thoughts.

1. Plaque psoriasis : Most common form; also known as psoriasis vulgaris. It may occur anywhere on the body, including the genitals and soft tissues inside the mouth.
2. Nail psoriasis : About 50% of persons with active psoriasis have psoriatic changes in fingernails and/or toenails. Nail plate is deeply pitted; nail has a yellow to yellow-pink discoloration; white areas appear under the nail plate; nail plate crumbles in yellowish patches; and the nail may be entirely lost.
3. Scalp psoriasis.
4. Guttate psoriasis : This cultivates in children and young adults following a throat (strepto) infection. It materializes as small dot sized red spots on the chest, arms and legs.
5. Inverse psoriasis : Mainly affecting the skin in the armpits, groin, under the breasts and around the genitals. More common in overweight people and is worsened by friction and sweating.
6. Pustular psoriasis :This appears as tender areas of fiery red skin with white pus filled blisters mainly on palms and soles. It can also cause fever, chills, severe itching, weight loss and fatigue.
7. Erythrodermic psoriasis :It can cover the entire body with a red, peeling rash that can itch or burn intensely. This can be life threatening because the skin loses its defensive function and may not be able to safeguard against heat and fluid loss nor preclude harmful bacteria from entering the body.

Psoriasis typically starts or worsens because of a trigger that you may be able to identify and avoid. Factors that may trigger psoriasis are :

• Inherited from family.
• Stress, depression.
• Undue sweating.
• Skin injuries like cuts, scrapes, chemical irritation, tattoos, burns, vaccination and shaving.
• Food allergens.
• A strep infection, upper respiratory viral infection, boils, thrush or HIV.
• Certain medications like lithium, beta blockers, antimalarial drugs and iodides.
• Sunburns.
• Cold and dry weather.
• Hormonal imbalance.
• Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption.

Diagnosis in terms of causative factors and triggers is also done through case taking and analysis, as limiting such factors has positive influence upon the outcome of treatment.

The white silvery scales of psoriasis are very distinctive and guiding features for diagnosis.

Sometimes a skin biopsy, or scraping may be needed to rule out other disorders and to confirm the diagnosis. Skin from a biopsy will show clubbed Rete pegs if positive for psoriasis.

Another sign of psoriasis is that when the plaques are scraped, one can see pinpoint bleeding from the skin below (Auspitz's sign).

• For mild forms of psoriasis, try a warm bath followed by application of coconut oil or petroleum jelly. Make sure none of these contain additives, preservatives or perfumes.
• Sunbathe. Expose areas of inflamed skin, but cover the rest of your body.
• Start a regular exercise or relaxation routine. Allot at least 20 minutes 4 to 5 days a week.
• To help prevent flare-ups, adopt a diet high in raw vegetables, and low in fatty meats and acidic fruits.