What causes psoriasis, and what are good methods of treating/controling it?

Answer 1

This is a skin problem probably caused by stress. Depending on where you have it, there are creams and shampoos specifically for this problem. However, I would recommend that you see a doctor who can best determine your requirements. I would add that if you live by the sea, regular bathing in the salt water might be helpful. Good luck!

Answer 2

Well
A natural remedy you can try to cure your psoriasis is described here: http://psoriasis.toptips.org


Seeking relief from psoriasis can be a lifelong quest. You can search everywhere for the perfect cure and never quite find it. There are plenty of medications, creams, pastes, gels, and lotions out there, but they don’t always work and they can be pricy. It gets time consuming and expensive to dab a lotion all over the body two to three times a day or take a pill every day. Most people just want something that is quick, simple, cheap, and works.

There are actually some things you can start doing for yourself that might help with psoriasis and slow down the onset of another outbreak. Things you can change around the house or personally, that don’t cost you an extra cent.

As I said above a good site where you can find many interesting tips is: http://psoriasis.toptips.org
Cheers.

Answer 3

I had a 13 year history of psoriasis, though I was in good health otherwise. But these severe large, thick and scaly excoriated plaques on my neck, ears, trunk and limbs ruined the way I was leading my life. I would be with red, inflamed itchy skin for most part of the year and these silvery scales would seem to be erupting without any reason. To make matters worse, blisters would appear over already red and itching skin. It was living hell.

I was treated with various options but nothing seemed to be working. Some of the treatments that I underwent in this depressing period of 13 years included tar preparation, tropical steroids and anthralin. I was also given light therapy many times but everything I tried would give me temporary relief.

And soon, after a few days I would be plagued with the situation again. In one of those moments when I was completely lost I stumbled upon this website just by chance. I read it and felt that as if someone had put the story my life on this web page. I was thoroughly convinced that if ANYONE can cure me of condition, it would be you.

And was I right, or what. I started recovering within 3 days of starting this treatment. Something that had become a painful part of me for 13 years was actually getting healed! My ears are healed and my neck is smooth again!. I am a month into the treatment and I have never felt better in my life!

Psoriasis Revolution?

Answer 4

Cure psoriasis starting today - even if your doctor or dermatologist says "it's impossible!"
I've just followed a guide called psoriasis free for life that completely cured me of this debilitating and embarrassing disease in less than a month!
Remember, this will not only treat the symptoms that you do see:
the red, inflamed itchy skin.
The silvery scales that seem to erupt for no reason.
The burning or bleeding that occurs around your joints.
The cracking, oozing and painful patches on your skin.
But it also treats the underlying cause of psoriasis - the part you don't see - the actual immune system deficiency that causes these itchy patches to appear and scale over.
For more information, check here : http://Psoriasis.naturallysaver.com .
You can definitely get back your life, your confidence and your self esteem!

Answer 5

The cause of psoriasis is not fully understood. There are two main theories about the process that occurs in the development of the disease. The first considers psoriasis as primarily a disorder of excessive growth and reproduction of skin cells. The problem is simply seen as a fault of the epidermis and its keratinocytes. An alternate viewpoint sees the disease as being an immune-mediated disorder in which the excessive reproduction of skin cells is secondary to factors produced by the immune system. It is thought that T cells (which normally help protect the body against infection) become active, migrate to the dermis and trigger the release of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNFα, in particular) which cause inflammation and the rapid production of skin cells. It is not known what initiates the activation of the T cells.

The immune-mediated model of psoriasis has been supported by the observation that immunosuppressant medications can clear psoriasis plaques. However, the role of the immune system is not fully understood, and it has recently been reported that an animal model of psoriasis can be triggered in mice lacking T cells.[4] Animal models, however, reveal only a few aspects resembling human psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a fairly idiosyncratic disease. The majority of people's experience of psoriasis is one in which it may worsen or improve for no apparent reason. Studies of the factors associated with psoriasis tend to be based on small (usually hospital based) samples of individuals. These studies tend to suffer from representative issues, and an inability to tease out causal associations in the face of other (possibly unknown) intervening factors. Conflicting findings are often reported. Nevertheless, the first outbreak is sometimes reported following stress (physical and mental), skin injury, and streptococcal infection. Conditions that have been reported as accompanying a worsening of the disease include infections, stress, and changes in season and climate. Certain medicines, including lithium salt and beta blockers, have been reported to trigger or aggravate the disease. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and obesity may exacerbate psoriasis or make the management of the condition difficult.

More on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoriasis

Answer 6

I understand psoriasis is one of the skin conditions caused by an overgrowth of the candida (yeast) fungus that co-habitates in our intestines. www.hufa.org has some basic information in the yeast link. If in the scalp area, a shampoo with selenium. Elsewhere, antifungal powder may help. Supposedly the vitamin D from sunlight helps keep it dry. Internally, to control the fungus, anti fungal foods and spices, and plain yogurt.

Answer 7

Not only can psoriasis be caused by stress, but also by strep infection. If you are a strep carrier (you may not even know) it can manifest itself in the form of different skin conditions. It may just be stress, but this is another avenue to check out with your doctor.

Answer 8

Here is a mess, between the terms:
psioriasis, atopic dermatitis and ezcema.
Psoriasis is an effect of a virus.
Atopic dermatitis is an allergy effect.
Ezcema is the damage in the skin.
But better have a medical attention:

http://www.mcgovernallergy.com/


Avoid tobacco, alcohol, dust, conservatives in food, strong chemicals (thinner, chloro,detersives...)
For an easy aid: betametasona cream & benadryl...still go to a recognized doctor.

Answer 9

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition. There are five types, each with unique signs and symptoms. Between 10% and 30% of people who develop psoriasis get a related form of arthritis called “psoriatic arthritis,” which causes inflammation of the joints.

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. About 80% of people who develop psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, which appears as patches of raised, reddish skin covered by silvery-white scale. These patches, or plaques, frequently form on the elbows, knees, lower back,
and scalp. However, the plaques can occur anywhere on the body.

The other types are guttate psoriasis (small, red spots on the skin),
pustular psoriasis (white pustules surrounded by red skin), inverse psoriasis (smooth, red lesions form in skin folds), and erythrodermic psoriasis (widespread redness, severe itching, and pain).

Regardless of type, psoriasis usually causes discomfort. The skin often itches, and it may crack and bleed. In severe cases, the itching and discomfort may keep a person awake at night, and the pain can make everyday tasks difficult.

Psoriasis is a chronic, meaning lifelong, condition because there is currently no cure. People often experience flares and remissions throughout their life. Controlling the signs and symptoms typically requires lifelong therapy.

Treatment depends on the severity and type of psoriasis. Some psoriasis is so mild that the person is unaware of the condition. A few develop such severe psoriasis that lesions cover most of the body and hospitalization is required. These represent the extremes. Most cases of psoriasis fall somewhere in between.

http://www.skincarephysicians.com/psoriasisnet/whatis.html

Topical treatments—medications applied to the skin—are usually the first line of defense in treating psoriasis. Researchers believe psoriasis occurs when faulty signals in the immune system cause skin cells to grow too rapidly. Topicals slow down or normalize that excessive cell reproduction and reduce inflammation (redness) associated with psoriasis.

There are many effective topical treatments. While many can be purchased over the counter (OTC), others are available by prescription only.

Over-the-counter topicals
Salicylic acid
Also known as "sal acid," salicylic acid helps remove scales and is often combined with topical steroids, anthralin or tar to enhance effectiveness. Available in both OTC and prescription forms.

Tar
Coal tar is available in topical, shampoo and bath solution forms. Tar can help slow the rapid proliferation of skin cells and help reduce inflammation, itching and scaling. It can also be used in combination with phototherapy.

Other OTC topicals
Information about bath solutions, moisturizers and nonprescription medications that can be used to moisturize, soothe, remove scale or relieve itching.

Prescription topicals
Anthralin
This prescription topical can be very effective in treating plaque psoriasis. It does not work as quickly or as thoroughly as superpotent topical steroids, but unlike steroids, it has no known long-term side effects.

Dovonex
A form of synthetic vitamin D3 that slows down the rate of skin cell growth, flattens psoriasis lesions and removes scale. Dovonex also can be used on the scalp and for nail psoriasis.

Taclonex
This prescription ointment contains calcipotriene (the active ingredient in Dovonex) and the potent steroid betamethasone dipropionate. The calcipotriene slows down the rate of skin cell growth, flattens psoriasis lesions and removes scale, while the steroid helps reduce inflammation and itch.

Tazorac
Available as a presciption gel or cream (also known by its generic name tazarotene), Tazorac is a vitamin A derivative and is also known as a topical retinoid. It can be used on the face, scalp and nails.

Topical steroids
Corticosteroids, ordinarily called "steroids" by doctors and patients, are routinely used to treat psoriasis. Topical steroid medications can be very effective in controlling mild to moderate psoriasis lesions. They are easy to use and work relatively quickly. Most are available by prescription.

Answer 10

Talk to your Dr. about ultra violet rays - short visits in a tanning bed. The rays helps sometimes. Try Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion in the pump bottle? It does help me. Try Listerine for scalp. Good luck and God bless you.