Psoriasis is a non -infectious chronic disease that affects the skin (with some types of damage, nails and hair are subjected to damage).About 5 % of people suffer from psoriasis around the world.Statistics are disappointing: over the past decades, there has been a tendency to increase cases of the disease among the population: if earlier people over 30 years old have previously suffered from psoriasis, now cases of disease among children and even newborns have been recorded.Until today, it was not possible to develop effective treatment for psoriasis, which would allow the patient to completely get rid of the disease.Any treatment prescribed by a dermatologist can reduce symptoms and introduce the disease into the remission stage.
The causes of psoriasis
Unfortunately, today the causes of psoriasis have not been fully studied.There are several specific theories in medicine, according to which the development of the disease occurs:
- Autoimmune - in each body there are special protective cells.Under adverse conditions (viruses and bacteria), they begin to activate, releasing certain substances into the blood.All this leads to the occurrence of an inflammatory process in the body, as a result, an increased division of skin cells;
- Individual reaction of the body.In the presence of a number of adverse factors, the epidermis cells begin to perform their protective functions worse.Immunity also fails, this is expressed in the destruction of the structures of skin cells.
If we talk about the direct causes of the occurrence of the disease, then scientists allegedly call several at once:
- Hereditary predisposition;
- Malfunctions in the work of endocrine organs;
- Systematic stress and nervous overstrain;
- Violations in the work of immunity;
- Biochemical imbalance in the body.
Symptoms of psoriasis.When should the alarm should sound?
Psoriasis tends to gradual development.The first symptoms of the disease are always very itchy red spots (papules), located mainly on the head, on the bends of the body and skin folds.
At the first stage, the disease manifests itself quite clearly: inflamed red spots appear on the skin, the patient is tormented by a constant sensation of itching and dryness in damaged areas of the skin.The situation is aggravated by the fact that the so -called papules (spots) are located in places of the greatest contact with clothing and flexible parts of the body cause severe irritation and tightness, bringing discomfort to the patient.
At the initial stage of the disease, the papules have the size of a few millimeters, for a long time they may not spread over the body and not grow in diameter.If the number of paples begins to increase, then this indicates the beginning of the 2nd stage of psoriasis.
At the stage of the stationary stage, subject to appropriate treatment, there is a stop of new rashes, the old papules are stopped increasing in volume, while they are completely covered with scales.A characteristic feature of the stationary stage is the cessation of itching and increased peeling of spots.
The regressive stage is the final in the fight against psoriasis.It is important to consolidate the result.At the last stage, there is a stop of the inflammatory process and peeling, bleaching old rashes up to complete disappearance.Most often, there are no traces on the skin.
It is very important to start treatment as early as possible in order to avoid further complications.Psoriasis cannot be ignored and put on a gear, this is a very serious disease that requires emergency treatment.Its manifestation is not limited to damage to exclusively skin, in the advanced stages the disease passes to the joints, causing their severe inflammation.In the future, psoriatic arthritis develops, which does not affect the quality of the patient’s life in the best way: in most cases, people lose their ability to work, and every fourth becomes disabled.The group of special risk on the development of psoriatic arthritis contains people who suffer from psoriasis of the 2nd type.
Methods for the treatment of psoriasis
As mentioned earlier, until today there is no cure for psoriasis in the world, which would completely cure sick people.Any appointments are made by doctors with one unified goal - to relieve exacerbation of the disease, to enter it into the stage of remission, to control its further course.As a rule, treatment continues a fairly long period of time, including drug use and local remedies.
This includes:
- Tablets for oral administration;
- Hormonal and non -hormonal ointments;
- Salt baths;
- Immunomodulators;
- Anti -inflammatory drugs;
- Selective phototherapy.
The use of expensive drugs, of course, has a proper effect, but not everyone can afford such a long treatment.Therefore, people often resort to the treatment of psoriasis at home with various folk methods.It is known that home treatment methods were used in ancient times: people have always encountered diseases of the skin, in the absence of current anti -inflammatory drugs, vegetable agents were used, which quite effectively cope with the disease.
How to get rid of psoriasis, using exclusively home treatment methods?Let's have more details on this issue.
The basic principles of treating psoriasis at home
Ways to combat psoriasis at home are quite diverse, we will return to this topic, but the basic principles for all of them will be:
- Systematic use of treatment with folk remedies;
- The use of hormonal agents during periods of exacerbation;
- Control over the formation of crusts, their removal as necessary;
- Conducting full courses, without interruption of treatment and replacing one agent to another;
- Compliance with the correct skin hygiene recommended by the doctor;
- Holding if necessary therapeutic nutrition;
- Periodic observation of the attending doctor.
Without observing all these principles, the struggle against such a serious disease as psoriasis is simply inconceivable.
Folk remedies for psoriasis
In order to achieve the maximum effect in the fight against the disease, it is important to approach this responsibly and realize that folk remedies of treatment are a fairly serious range of measures.It is worth realizing that any home treatment is effective only at the initial stage of the disease.In the advanced stages of the disease, folk treatment methods are not recommended to use psoriasis, preference in this case is given to pharmacy.
Before starting treatment by folk remedies, as mentioned above, it is strongly recommended to visit your doctor and get advice on treatment methods, only if a specialist approves this approach to therapy.
Let's move directly with folk treatment methods and deal with the most popular means in the fight against psoriasis:
- Powder of turmeric is perhaps the most popular of all means.Its use is effective due to anti -inflammatory properties.It is quite simple to prepare such a tool, for this you need to stir 50 grams of the turmeric powder in 100 grams of water until a homogeneous consistency is obtained.At night, carefully process the papules on the body, and rinse in warm water in the morning.The use of turmeric powder for food will also be useful, because it contains a huge vitamin-mineral complex.
- Coconut oil - is very popular among psoriasis patients.Applying it is quite simple: the oil is applied with a fat layer on the affected areas of the skin, if possible, it is not washed as long as possible.With proper use, coconut oil will save you from itching and dry skin in a few days.
- Aloe juice - perhaps such a plant decorates the windowsills of many readers.It differs in a number of useful properties: it perfectly moisturizes the skin, has an anti -inflammatory property, contains antioxidants.To treat psoriasis, plant juice is used - the leaves are thoroughly washed under water, the peel is removed, and juice should be squeezed out of the remaining pulp.Every day after taking the shower, you need to process the papules on the body until they are completely disappeared.
- Argon oil is also one of the most popular and effective means in the fight against the disease.High -quality argon oil is characterized by the presence of vitamin and fatty acids in the composition of a large number, it has an antibacterial and anti -inflammatory agent.It should be applied at night with a thin layer, if possible, the affected areas are covered with a clean cloth.Argon is not very effective in the treatment of psoriasis on the hairy cover.
How to cook ointment from psoriasis?
The use of various ointments made at home is an effective way to combat the disease.Ointments made at home are used to moisturize the skin, relieve dryness and other unpleasant sensations.The preparation of home ointments is simple, even an inexperienced person can easily cope with this task.In the use of ointments on natural components, you should not forget to comply with a number of rules:
- They are stored no more than 2 - 3 days at a temperature of not higher than +3 ° C;
- They should be applied exclusively to clean skin;
- You need to use until the signs of the disease completely disappeared.
Now let's move directly to the recipes of home ointments from psoriasis:
- “Evacal ointment” - 2 chicken eggs, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.Beat a mixer until a homogeneous mass is formed, leave in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.Insisting and cooling ointment should be applied to the affected areas of the skin 2 times a day.The course of treatment depends on the stage of the disease, but not less than 4 - 6 weeks.
- “Ointment from propolis” - 50 grams of propolis, 50 grams of butter in a blender, let it brew in the refrigerator until complete cooling.Process the affected areas of the reinforcement.The course of treatment should continue at least 6 - 8 weeks.
- “Ointment from celandine” - 50 g of dry celandine grass, 50 g of Vaselin.Grind the celandine grass on a blender, mixed powder with a petroleum jelly until a homogeneous structure is formed.Apply to the affected areas of the skin after bathing once a day.Continue treatment until psoriasis spots completely disappear.
- “Ointment from scales” - 50 grams of dried fish scales should be chopped and thoroughly mixed with 100 g of fish oil.The ointment is applied every other day for 2 to 3 hours, after which it is washed off with warm water.The course of treatment lasts 4 to 6 weeks.
Home lotions and lotions, as ways to combat psoriasis
No less popular folk remedies in the fight against psoriasis are lotions and lotions.Their preparation will not take much time, and in terms of effectiveness they are sometimes not inferior to creams.
Lotion from young celandine.In the initial stages of the disease, as well as mild forms of psoriasis, such a lotion will be an excellent solution.It is not difficult to cook it: 7 stems of young celandine pour 200 grams of water, put in a water bath and boil for 15 minutes.After removal from the stove, let it brew, then strain through a small sieve.Wipe the affected areas of the skin with a cotton swab 5 times a day.The duration of treatment is at least 4 weeks.
Lotion of St. John's wort flowers.The decoction of St. John's wort can be used with advanced stages of the disease.It is prepared as follows: 100 grams of St. John's wort flowers pour 250 grams of water, boil for 5 minutes.Give the opportunity to cool and brew, then be sure to strain.Wipe the papules 2 times a day after bathing, avoid long storage of the lotion.Treatment should continue 8 weeks.
Lotion from plantain leaves.For the preparation of the lotion, it is better to use fresh plantain leaves in the amount of 150 gr.To begin with, rinse them thoroughly in running water, then finely cut them, pour water, put on a slow fire and do not forget to cover with a lid.Boil the leaves of plantain at least 15 minutes, then strain and leave to cool.Process the skin 2 to 3 times a day after taking a shower, the duration of treatment should be from 4 to 6 weeks.
Compress from garlic.Skip the head of garlic through a grater or meat grinder, pour a steep boiling water in a volume of 150 g, make it possible to brew.Then strain through a strainer, use in the form of compresses or lotions at night.
Lners from horse sorrel.Grind 100 grams of horse sorrel in a blender, and then pour boiling water and let it brew for 2 hours.Strain, apply as lotions 3 times a day.
Medical baths: contraindications, basic rules, types of therapeutic baths
As one of the components of an integrated approach, patients with psoriasis are often prescribed therapeutic baths.The choice is not accidental: the baths perfectly relieve itching, irritation, swelling, discomfort, help the patient easier to transfer the exacerbation of the disease, and also significantly extend the periods of remission.
Therapeutic baths have a whole number of useful properties:
- Normalize the work of the sebaceous glands;
- Remove toxins and toxins from the epidermis;
- Relieve unpleasant symptoms caused by psoriasis;
- Removed redness and swelling of the skin.
The purpose of therapeutic baths also has its own contraindications:
- Oncological diseases;
- Cardiovascular disease;
- Hypertension;
- Diabetes mellitus;
- Acute infectious diseases;
- Pregnancy and lactation.
Perhaps, for any patient, it will not be difficult to prepare a bath for yourself.However, even at first glance, an effective bath may not bring the desired effect without observing a number of conditions:
When taking a bath, the patient should take into account his age.So, it is undesirable for people over 50 to be in water, the temperature of which exceeds 36 ° C, and the stay should be reduced to 15 minutes.We now move directly to the types of therapeutic baths.