How To Treat Plaque Psoriasis Naturally?
By Ravi Kumarr Gupta
Psoriasis is a prevalent skin disease that affects nearly 8 million Americans. It causes upraised, red patches and is hidden with a silvery white collection of cells of dead skin. You will mostly find these patches on the knees, scalp, lower back, and elbows portion of your body. These can crack and cause bleeding and they are also itchy and painful at times.
According to a report published by World Psoriasis Day consortium, about 125 million people globally, which is 2 to 3 percent of the world’s population have Plaque Psoriasis. Studies have also revealed that between 10 and 30 percent of these people who have psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis in the later phase.
Moreover, there is no permanent cure for chronic plaque psoriasis. So, through various treatments, doctors try to give relief to patients from its painful symptoms.
Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis
Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis depends on the criticality of the disease. Topical therapy is used to treat mild and confined psoriasis. While for more extensive, severe conditions systemic, expensive, and possibly, risky treatment might be required.
- Tropical medication
For a few plaques, your doctor might advise you to try a prescription ointment initially, which you can apply on your skin directly. They sometimes help with the infection and slow the growth of the same.
- Light therapy
If your rash has spread further, your doctor may advise you to go for treatment with ultraviolet rays. You might either have to visit your doctor’s office, or you can purchase the box at home.
It is a more controlled alternative of natural treatment with sun rays.
- Systemic medicines
In case your plaque psoriasis has become severe and has spread across most of your body parts, you might have to take medicines, which will work on your entire your system. These medications soothe your immune system or reduce the growth of your skin cells.
The worst part of these systematic medicines is that they can have grave side effects like depression, violent thoughts, liver difficulties, or an increase in the risk of skin cancer.
- Biologic medicines
Biological medicines are used to treat psoriasis by targeting your immune system.
Like systemic medicines, you can either be given shots, or it can be injected through a vein in your arm. However, unlike the other type of medicines, they target a specific type of immune cell or restrict the particular class of proteins from causing any soreness or irritation. Using these medicines can make it tougher for you to resist infection.
- Home remedies
The best part is for mild plaque psoriasis, a lot of over-the-counter, and home remedies are available.
- Tar
Preparation like ointments and shampoos containing Tar can be beneficial for treating this condition, particularly related to scalp.
- Sunlight
Yes, sun rays help in healing psoriasis. It has been proven that careful sunbathing is quite useful in monitoring this skin illness when there is abundant sunlight, and the weather is bearable. As a precaution, cover the areas that are not infected.
- Turmeric
Turmeric has used to minimize psoriasis. You can either add turmeric to your food or take pills and supplements. As per FDA guidelines, 1.5 to 3.0 grams of turmeric per day is advisable.
- Hot baths
Taking a hot water bath might not be soothing to your skin, but you can always take a lukewarm shower. Add Epsom salt, colloidal oatmeal, milk, mineral oil or olive oil to relax the itching and break into plaques. Applying moisturizer immediately after this bath can be doubly beneficial for getting relief from plaque psoriasis.
Before applying any home remedy, make sure you consult your doctor and take his advice.
Change in lifestyle
Some minor lifestyle changes like the following can help you to deal with this ailment more tactfully:
- Eat healthy foods and include more fruits and vegetables.
- Always keep your skin moisturized.
- Stay away from fragrances.
- Reduce stress
- Avoid consumption of alcohol
- Quit smoking
- Stay away from extreme weather conditions
- Stay away from substances you are allergic.
Plaque psoriasis affects your look, and it might take you on an emotional turmoil. In case you need help, speak to your doctor immediately.