Psoriasis

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Psoriatic Pruritus – Finding Relief

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

The technical name for itchiness, which is a common symptom of psoriasis, is pruritus. If you have pruritus, you don’t need a formal diagnosis to give it a label. You’ll be well aware of this fact, and find that scratching the itch at times only makes it worse. There are a number of sources for pruritus, a couple being the dry skin and the scaly rash that’s developed by people with psoriasis. In any case, it tends to be maddening… leading to a loss of sleep or ability to concentrate during the day.

How can you find relief from this troublesome symptom?

One of the most effect ways to beat the pruritus that results from psoriasis is to moisturize. Specialists recommend using a non-petroleum based moisturizer at least twice per day. Before bed, you can use a heavier moisturizer such as shea butter or natural oils, which will have a chance to seep into the skin overnight, repairing any damage done by dehydration. In the morning, a lighter lotion or moisturizer is recommended so as not to leave a greasy film on the skin.

Using cortisone creams or botanicals such as aloe vera can help have a soothing effect on the ravaging itch of psoriasis-inspired pruritus. These can be applied along with a moisturizer, or many topical creams will include all of the above ingredients for maximum relief. These are best applied after a shower or bath.

Bathing in warm water rather than hot is also a good way to help lock in moisture, as hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils and leave you feeling dry and itchy afterward. If you bath once a day or more, it’s particularly important to retain as much of this moisture as possible, especially in colder months.

Drinking an adequate amount of water and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes can also help in the battle against psoriatic pruritus – these help you fight the problem from the inside out. For anyone who habitually does not drink enough water, the difference in skin tone and overall health will be noticeable right away. Many times skin problems, including infections or pruritus of all types, can be traced to dehydration. Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables will also help with this problem.

Posted in Psoriasis | 4 Responses »

Psoriasis and the Immune System – Finding a Cure

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Psoriasis is primarily an immune system disease, which means it is not infectious as a rash or a virus might be. For this reason, the more researchers learn about the immune system and how it interacts with psoriasis, the closer we will come to finding a cure.

How does psoriasis work?

White blood cells (part of the immune system) stimulate excess growth of skin cells, leading to the excessive scaling, which in turn causes itching general irritation. In particular, dysfunctional T-cells wreak havoc on the body’s ability to regenerate skin cells at a normal, balanced rate.

For this reason prescription medications that change immune system functionality have been developed to prevent these cells from hyper-proliferating (immunosuppressants). This is the most ground-breaking area of psoriasis research, which has been getting a lot of press in recent years because so many people suffer from psoriasis and are willing to go out of their way to find a more effective cure. Within the United States alone, estimates place the number of people affected by psoriasis between 5.5 and 7.5 million.

The connection between psoriasis and the immune system continues to intrigue/befuddle researchers. For this reason, clinical studies are ongoing to find a way to shut off the mechanisms that lead to psoriasis inspired immune system issues.

The immune system is extremely complex, and disorders can lead to some of humanity’s most troublesome diseases, including AIDS. There is much at stake for the millions of people affected by immune system / cell proliferation disorders.

There are ways you can support research efforts that will eventually lead to developing a cure for psoriasis. Donations to the research foundations (such as the National Psoriasis Foundation) are always welcome. You can also invest time as a volunteer, which might include educating the public about the causes and treatments that are available on the market today. There are also a number of psoriasis triggers aside from a dysfunctional immune system that need to be researched further. With an increasing measure of education and general investment, a cure for psoriasis will hopefully be found in the near future.

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Psoriasis Home Treatments – Steroids, Moisturizers and Botanicals

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

Psoriasis is a life-consuming concern for a significant percentage of the population. Fortunately, there are a number of home-based treatments available for those who are willing to change their daily routine to find a cure.

Home-based psoriasis treatment options seem to be expanding rapidly, on a daily basis, with new tips and tricks being exchanged on the internet and in a variety of publications. While there is no official cure for psoriasis at the moment, there are any number of treatments that can eventually put an end to the disease and its bothersome symptoms. Some of the most common treatments are available over the counter, including creams or lotions that contain either steroids or other more natural remedies.

Steroid creams are one of the most frequently recommended psoriasis home treatment options by doctors. These are extremely effective in stopping the itching that is associated with this condition, as well as helping to slow down the growth of psoriatic skin cells, allowing healthy skin to develop unhindered. There are a number of side effects that can be associated with these steroid treatments, however, which means they should be used under controlled circumstances – limited concentrations over limited periods of time.

More natural creams are also a viable alternative when it comes to psoriasis home treatments. Remedies containing aloe vera extracts, for example, have been effective for many. Aloe contains naturally soothing properties and keeps the skin feeling refreshed and smooth, with a cooling sensation. Green tea extract, vitamin C, and grape seed oil are all also common herbal ingredients that can be used alone as a topical treatment, added to the diet, or combined in a number of skin care formulas.

A simple, non-petroleum-based moisturizer goes a long way as a good option for psoriasis home treatment. It’s essential to keep the skin well-moisturized, so that it retains its elasticity and strength. One of the side effects associated with psoriasis is weakened skin, or skin that is easily damaged and thus prone to further break-outs. Many experts recommend moisturizing at least twice per day, once in the evening and once in the morning. Heavier lotions and creams, even oils, are better at night before bed to lock in moisture and repair damaged skin while you sleep. In the daytime, a lighter, less greasy lotion can keep the skin feeling itch-free and refreshed.

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Hair Loss Caused by Psoriasis

Friday, December 18th, 2009

One of the most unsettling effects of psoriasis, aside from chronic physical discomfort, is the hair loss that can occur for those who have problems with their scalp. The scalp is one of the most commonly affected areas for people with psoriasis. For those who are thus affected, hair loss can be a major concern for the simple reason that scratching the scalp damages the hair follicles, causing hair to fall out at an abnormally fast rate. This can mean that, not only does a patient have to cope with an irritated and itchy scalp, but also experience the cosmetic issue of hair loss.

In general, treating the underlying issue will bring hair loss under control. There are, of course, different treatments for preventing and/or restoring hair loss, but for our purposes, the first step is to identifying the main problem, which is psoriasis. Note: if you are experiencing suspicious new scalp problems you probably should visit a doctor who can positively diagnose if this is psoriasis or another scalp condition.

For people suffering from psoriasis, treating the problem can be as simple as finding a moisturizer for a dry scalp, in which case heavy conditioners or hair oil treatments can be massaged in to bring almost instant relief.

Medicated shampoos designed to combat psoriasis on the scalp can be the best good way to stop itching and, by extension, hair loss. I have had a lot of success using two medicated shampoos by Neutrogena – T/Sal (which contains salicylic acid) and T/Gel – Stubborn Itch Control (which contains coal tar and menthol).

The skin under your hair is more difficult to reach for obvious reasons, and thus topical treatments can be difficult to apply. In any case, for those who are determined enough (or possibly for those who are willing to shave their head), steroids can be effectively applied to the scalp for relief from itching, irritation and swelling.

Unfortunately, hair loss is a common issue among people suffering from psoriasis on the scalp. This symptom, which results from damaged hair follicles, can have a major impact on a person’s self esteem and social life. If you need more information about finding relief, don’t hesitate to visit your dermatologist with a list of questions in hand. Researchers are constantly on the lookout for a cure for psoriasis, so there is a good chance that there will be new options at your disposal all the time.

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