Written by Psoriasis Guru on December 17th, 2009
Many turn to dermatologists to help get them through particularly troublesome psoriasis outbreaks, which can include any combination of itching and burning skin. Psoriasis treatments can include a heavy emphasis on moisturizers, which help replenish lost fluids and elasticity within the skin, leaving a person feeling refreshed and with a sense of relief. Following up on home treatments with a proper dermatologist is extremely important for those who have chronic psoriasis in particular, to make sure that the outbreak is really taken care of and that life can go on as normal.
There are over the counter psoriasis treatments, including topical steroid creams and other more natural alternatives, that can be very beneficial and are often recommended by dermatologists to treat psoriasis. These offer wide range of potency, which in turn have varying results for the purposes of treating psoriasis. For steroid based medication, a patient just beginning treatment should most likely start off on the lighter side, though a dermatologist can certainly prescribe something stronger for more severe cases. On the other hand, soothing botanicals and other natural remedies will oftentimes improve patients’ psoriasis symptoms as much if not more than steroid based medications. Some examples of natural supplements include vitamin C, grape seed oil and any other emollients that can rejuvenate tired and irritated skin.
If topical treatments fail to ameliorate a severe case of psoriasis, there are stronger options that are available at a prescription level. These that can be obtained as per your dermatologist’s guidance and can include oral medications as well as injections that go directly to the source underneath the skin. Because this is a genetic, immune system related disease, the most direct route seems to address the immune problem. Some of these newer, more experimental medications do just that, helping put a stop to the constant regeneration of skin cells that lead to the scaling effect we associate with this disease.
Anyone interested in curing their psoriasis would do well to avoid common outbreak triggers, which tend to include smoking to alcohol consumption. Certain foods or allergies can also lead to outbreaks, and stress is usually a big factor as well. Ultimately, all of these factors will depend on each individual. When experiencing a particularly nasty outbreak, it’s helpful to make a note of what transpired right before it. Was there a stressful incident? Or was it something unusual that you ate? Keeping a diary of sorts will go a long way in helping pinpoint these triggers, in order to avoid them in the future.
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Tags: Alcohol, Allergies, Dermatology, Natural Remedies, Smoking, Steroids
Written by Psoriasis Guru on December 17th, 2009
Severe cases of psoriasis will require a more holistic approach to reduce the effects of symptoms, but many people are only affected in smaller, limited areas of their body. For such cases there are a variety of psoriasis creams designed for topical application. As with most other areas of the drug industry, there are widely varying options on the market, each with its unique pros and cons. To find out which cream may be the most effective in your case you should take time to learn about all of these different options and their corresponding properties. For our purposes, let’s break down all psoriasis creams into two groups: those containing steroids and those that do not.
Many people have found steroid creams to be effective for suppressing psoriasis. Hydrocortisone is the gentlest steroid cream available and can be used for other skin irritations such as eczema. For those with more severe cases, stronger (prescription only) options are available, but should be used in controlled circumstances, because they come with considerable side effects. Using steroid creams for prolonged periods can cause a thinning of the skin and the appearance of stretch marks, especially in areas of the body such as the groin or armpits.
For other psoriasis creams (those that do not contain steroids), active ingredients can be natural herbal supplements, vitamins or other not-so-natural chemicals/drugs. Such topical treatments can combine a mixture of different therapeutic ingredients, thus targeting psoriasis on different levels at the same time. While these other psoriasis creams don’t carry the same side effects as those with steroids, they oftentimes require more time to bring about the desired results.
Topical psoriasis treatments also include gels, oils and foams, all of which are useful for targeting specific areas of the skin. Note: finding the right cream is more than just picking the ingredient. Because psoriasis is such an unpredictable condition, any combination of therapies or prescription strengths might prove to be most effective for your particular case.
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Tags: Eczema, Natural Remedies, Steroids
Written by Psoriasis Guru on December 16th, 2009
As anyone who has psoriasis knows, unsightly flare-ups tend to appear at the worst times. On a first date, for example, it can be awkward to explain away a patch of scaly skin that developed recently. Psoriasis and social pressures are issues that come up for a lot of people, and the social stigma of having a skin disorder can at times be even worse to contend with than the actual physical symptoms themselves (though they are certainly no picnic). This can lead to a loss of confidence and feelings of inadequacy, as rash-looking skin can be difficult to cover up with makeup alone.
For those who are dealing with psoriasis and social pressures that stem from trying to hide outbreaks of this disease (which can, incidentally, mimic other skin disorders or severe acne when it’s on the face), there are fortunately some ways to avoid triggers. If you have noticed that psoriasis flares up after eating certain foods, for example, then avoid them. Alcohol and cigarettes can be two big triggers for many people, as is overexposure to the sun. Wearing sun screen and following a healthy lifestyle is a good way to look your best anyhow, beyond simply combating psoriasis.
While most people won’t develop psoriasis until they are in their late teens or early 20’s, psoriasis and social pressures can be a very real problem for some schoolchildren who may be subject to teasing or bullying by their peers during those awkward adolescent years. If your children are suffering from outbreaks be sure to pay close attention to what they are eating as well as applying topical creams to minimize discomfort. This is not a fun disease for anyone to have, but for children or adolescents the social stigma can be worse than the symptoms themselves.
It’s important for people of any age who are going through this to realize that they are not alone. This is a very common autoimmune illness. Most people at least have a friend or relative who suffers from psoriasis. This means that psoriasis and social pressures are all relative. Even if you feel like your disorder is obvious to everyone, chances are it’s not as bad as you think. For serious cases of isolation or anxiety related to this issue, it can be helpful to join a support group or seek out the company of others who are going through the same problems to see how they have coped.
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Tags: Alcohol, Diet, Psychology, Sunlight
Written by Psoriasis Guru on December 15th, 2009
Psoriasis affects a significant percentage of the population, so it’s not surprising that so much time and effort is being poured into finding effective treatments. There are a number of soothing, botanical treatments, for example, which medical professionals recommend. Aloe vera, which is already familiar to many can be particularly effective for soothing irritated skin. Aloe is natural, thus posing minimal side effects, all the while offering effective relief for irritated, psoriatic skin.
Aloe vera is commonly used to soothe different kinds of skin irritations including sunburns or poison ivy. It has also been shown to reduce the effects of insect bites or stings, making it an essential product to have at home or when going out into the woods.
At present Aloe is being used as a main ingredient for ointments and creams designed specifically to treat psoriasis. Aloe vera can be used to make therapeutic gels, for example, which can be applied directly to psoriatic outbreaks.
While the exact mechanism by which psoriasis and aloe vera interact is not entirely understood, both anecdotal and experimental evidence supports the claim that aloe is an effective treatment. A 1995 study undertaken in Belgium showed that approximately 88% of those patients who used a topical aloe vera cream on portions of their skin affected by psoriasis found relief, compared to only 6% of those who took the placebo. A variety of different studies have supported the conclusion that aloe vera is an effective balm for irritated skin – now psoriasis can be added to the list of conditions it combats.
It’s recommended that any patients using this treatment apply psoriasis aloe vera gel or moisturizer to the affected area about three times per day for a minimum of four weeks. While results can take some time, most users report a reduction in itching and burning, and improved cosmetic appearance of the skin. There are also no known side effects to this plant; medical specialists agree that Aloe is generally safe for children as well, who can be some of the most negatively impacted by psoriasis. The most effective way to apply aloe can be via the leaves directly, which can also be cost effective and refreshing. There is no need to go out shopping for special ointments if you already have aloe vera growing at your house (here in Arizona that might be more common than elsewhere).
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Tags: Aloe Vera, Moisturizers, Natural Remedies
