Homeopathy Blog: Dr. Harshad Raval (M.D.) Homeopathic Source

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease which affects the skin and joints. When it affects the skin it commonly appears as red scaly elevated patches called plaques .Psoriasis is a non-infectious, chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by well-defined erythematous plaques with large, adherent, silvery scales. The main abnormality in psoriasis is increased epidermal proliferations due to excessive division of cells in the basal layers,
Psoriasis is non- contagious inflammatory diseases of skin of patchy thick skin covered with silvery scales. Psoriasis is link with your body’s immune system. It often runs in families suggesting the genetic link. It is precipitated by emotional stress, infection, ultra violet rays, certain drugs, and physical illness.

• Genetics
• Biochemistry
• Immunology

* Dermal

Psoriasis is a chronic, non-infectious disease. It has thick, well defined plaques of inflammatory silvery scales. 1-3% population suffers by this disease. Psoriasis is a long term disorder, exacerbations and remissions are very common. Generally people of 10-45 years of age suffer more by Psoriasis. This disease is Non-infectious. But genetic predisposition is found, it means if one or both parents have Psoriasis then chances of this disease in children are much more.

Types of Psoriasis:

* 1. Plaque Psoriasis: – is the most common form of psoriasis. It affects 80 to 90% of people with psoriasis. Lesions have clear cut boundaries, size may be from a few millimeters to several centimeters in size. Psoriasis spots are red and covered with dry-silvery-scales. Usually knees, elbows and back are involved in this type of Psoriasis.
* 2. Guttate Psoriasis: – is characterized by numerous small oval (teardrop-shaped) spots. These numerous spots of psoriasis appear over large areas of the body, such as the trunk, limbs, and scalp. Guttate psoriasis is associated with streptococcal throat infection.
* 3. Erythrodermic Psoriasis: – Whole skin becomes red and scaly. This is a Universal and involves the widespread inflammation and exfoliation of the skin over most of the body surface. It may be accompanied by severe itching, swelling and pain.
* 4. Pustule Psoriasis: – Pustule (eruptions fill up of Pus) formed on spots of Psoriasis. Fever may or may not be present with these spots. Mostly this type of Psoriasis spots develop on palms and soles.
* 5. Nail psoriasis: produces a variety of changes in the appearance of finger and toe nails. These changes include discoloring under the nail plate, pitting of the nails
* 6. Psoriatic arthritis: involves joint and connective tissue inflammation. Psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint but is most common in the joints of the fingers and toes. Psoriatic arthritis can also affect the hips, knees and spine (spondylitis).

Causes of Psoriasis:

• Mental trauma: Psoriasis is psychosomatic disorder disease. Persons are very sensitive and mentally deprative. Emotional stress, Anxiety may flare up Psoriasis or higher Cholesterol etc.
• Trauma- Trauma or injury to skin may produce Psoriasis. Common sites for Psoriasis are on Knees ans Elbows Wich has to bear low grade injuries in day to day practices. Trauma to skin must be avoided. Concept of Kobner phenomenon is concerned with this cause of Psoriasis.
• Infection- Streptococcal bacterial infection of throat may cause guttate Psoriasis.
• Drugs- Several drugs causes Psoriasis : Anti-Malarial drugs such as hydroxychloroquine which are used as long term therapy for arthritis and lupus, Beta Blockers – Propanolol used in Hypertension(High Blood Pressure), Lithium Salts, Calcium channel blockers and Angiotensin Converting Enzymes(ACE) used for High Blood pressures, Smoking Cessation Drug -Bupropion may cause Psoriasis.
• Sunlight- Severe ultra violet radiation may increase Psoriasis.

Symptoms and Signs of Psoriasis:
Silver type of scaly exfoliations from head, hand, foot and all over body skin. Its start from dorsal aspect of joint spots of Psoriasis with red, thick, scaly plaques is marked.
Hair falling- Psoriasis of scalp presents as falling of flakes from head like dandruff with falling of hairs.
Itching may or may not be present.
Nail changes-Pitting, Ridges and thickening.
Joint pains and inflammation- About 05% patient of psoriasis may have one or more joints involved this is called Psoriatic Arthritis or Arthropathy
Self-care for psoriasis

• Avoid all factors which trigger psoriasis.
• Reduce stress levels through meditation and Yoga.
• Do not prick, peel or scratch skin. This may trigger psoriasis.
• After bath or wash pat dry the skin. Do not rub the towel vigorously on skin.
• Avoid soap. Instead use gram flour (besan flour) as soap dries the skin.
• After washing, pat the skin dry, don’t irritate it by rubbing vigorously.
• Apply moisturizing creams liberally on affected areas after
• Opt for cotton clothes over synthetic ones.

Modern medicinal treatment:

Usually use of local application which causes irritation, stain with purple brown discoloration of skin, redness with the greasy base & occasionally causes skin cancer. Oral intake corticosteroids have harmful side effects. Corticosteroids causes over weight gain, high blood pressure, burning pain, menstrual irregularities, dimness of vision, excessive thirst & itching of skin. Use of ultra violet radiation is in effective.
Systemic treatment

Psoriasis which is resistant to topical treatment and phototherapy is treated by medications that are taken internally by pill or injection. This is called systemic treatment. Patients undergoing systemic therapy are required to have regular blood and liver function tests because of the toxicity of the medications. Pregnancy must be avoided for the majority of these treatments. Most patients experience a recurrence of psoriasis after these medications are discontinued.

* Retinoids are synthetic forms of vitamin A. Retinoids are teratogenic and women must not become pregnant during and for up to 2 years after treatment. Common side effects include dry lips, and peeling skin on the hands and feet. Retinoids are sometimes used in conjunction with UVB treatment.

* Methotrexate slows cell turnover and suppresses the immune system. It can cause liver damage and decrease the production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It is not suitable for people who have liver disease or anemia. Methotrexate should not be used by pregnant women, or by men or women who are planning to have children, because it may cause birth defects. A liver biopsy may be required after long term use.

• Cyclosporine (also spelled as cyclosporin (e)) works by suppressing the immune system. Candidates for this therapy are those with severe psoriasis who have not responded to, or cannot tolerate, other systemic therapies. Ciclosporin may impair kidney function or cause high blood pressure (hypertension). Ciclosporin is not recommended for patients who have a weak immune system or those who have had skin cancers as a result of PUVA treatment. It should not be given with phototherapy.
• Tioguanine is generally used in the treatment of acute leukemia, but is sometimes used in the management of severe psoriasis. It is an antimetabolite, and works by preventing the growth and division of cells. It must not be used by pregnant women or by men or women who are planning to have children, because it may cause birth defects.
• Hydroxyurea (Hydrea) is a cytotoxic agent and is thought to work by reducing the replication of DNA within the basal cell of the epidermis. Possible side effects include anemia and a decrease in white blood cells and platelets. Hydroxyurea must be avoided by pregnant women or those who are planning to become pregnant, because it may cause birth defects.
• Mycophenolate mofetil is an immune suppressive agent occasionally used for the management of severe psoriasis.
• Fumaric acid esters have been used to treat severe psoriasis in northern Europe for over 20 years. This product is mainly used in Germany and is not licensed in many other countries. Side effects include flushing, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pains.

Biologics [2] are the newest class of treatment for psoriasis. These are manufactured proteins that interrupt the immune process involved in psoriasis. Unlike generalised immunosuppressant therapies such as methotrexate, biologics focus on specific aspects of the immune function leading to psoriasis. These drugs are relatively new, and their long-term impact on immune function is unknown. Examples include Amevive®, etanercept (Enbrel®), Humira®, infliximab (Remicade®) and Raptiva.

Homeopathic Treatment Psoriasis:

Homeopathic cures the psoriasis by raising your own body immune system with restoration of health. Modern medicinal treatment lowers down the immunity, & suppresses the symptoms. Exactly opposite, homeopathy is safe, gentle, reliable, has no side effects at all. Homeopathy treats the individual totally and leads to an ideal cure rather than temporary suppression of symptoms.

After homeopathic treatment you will notice, the sharp demarcated edges of silvery scales will decrease. If your eruption are oozing it will get dry.

Homeopathy has more than 110 medicines for different types of Psoriasis. Psoriasis patients need a long term therapy from 1 to 2 years. 70 to 80% cases of Psoriasis are curable by homeopathic medicines. Homeopathic medicines are prescribed on patient’s Individual pattern of Psoriasis lesions, Modalities according the weather and temperature changes, Personality traits, Behavioral pattern and mental attitude of patient.

General features, family history,co-existing symptoms, temperament, likings/disliking all are important for Homeopathic Prescription

Commonly used in cases of psoriasis are Ares alb, Arg Nit, Baryta mur, Corralium, Crab apple, Hydrocotyle, Kali airs, Kali Brom, Lycopodium, Nat sulp, Phosphorus, Psoralea, Psorinum, Pulsatilla, Radium Brom, Sulphur, Sulphur Iod, Syphilinum, Silicea, Thuja, Thyroidinum, Urtica urens, etc. These medicines should be taken under the advice and diagnosis of a qualified Homeopath.

HOMEOPATHIC PSORIASIS MEDICINE:

GRAPHITES: Our great remedy for al sorts of skin diseases, no doubt often mis-prescribed, and hence frequently disappointments. The symptoms calling for it are very clear; there are moist scabby eruption on the scalp, face, bends of joints between fingers and behinds the ears. The corner of mouth eyes are cracked bleeding and oozing a gluey, honey-like thick, tenacious discharge, fissured eczema is type great itching always accompanies the eruption. The skin may be dry and horny. The hair is dry and falls out.

ARSENICUM: A useful remedy in all cases of skin troubles when the skin is thicken, such as in chronic eczema, psoriasis and chronic urticaria. The sensations are itching, burning and swelling, it alohas papules, nettle rash and pimples. Burning sensitive ulcers with offensive discharges. It is perhaps our best general for the chronic form eczema with the great burning and itching. It is almost pacific for hives from shell fish, which itch and burn, and for reprocessed hives. Pustulus form into scabs. Pellagra may find its simillimum in Arsenicum.

SULPHER: The great characteristic of this remedy is the aggravation from washing; this with scratching, makes the parts burn intensely. The skin is rough coarse and measly, and there is much soreness in the fold of the skin and the tendency to pustule eruption. Dryness and heat of scalp, with intense itching, especially at night, and scratching causes soreness; wetting makes it burn. Eczema erythematosum .Eruption of yellow crust. Eruption at margin of the hair Dearborn says Sulpher 6 will cure more pruritus than any other drug. It is our great antiseptic.

NATRUM MURIATISM: Dry scaly or hepatic eruption of little water blister in bends of joints, hydroa labials fever blisters Moist eczema without much itching. The natrum muriatic patient continually suffers from “hang nails” .Herpes Cincinnatus .Eczema, with thick scab oozing pus. Urticaria, with itching about the joints when occurring, with intermittent fever worse at seashore.

PETROLEUM : Pictures pure eczema with its thick scabs, oozing pus and the skin is harsh and dry; the finger tips cracks and the hands chap. It is especially suitable to eczema behind the ears. Use the 2x potency.

MEZEREUM : Behr considers this remedy the best one in crustal lacta. There great itching, which is worse when the patient ids warmed and wrapped up. There are small vesicles with terrible itching, and the great characteristic is that the secretion dries quickly producing scalp beneath which an acrid thick pus oozes. Crusts and itching are the features. Herpes zoster, with neuralgic pains along the nerves.

HAPER SULPHER: Moist eruption in folds of skin and itching in the bends of joints; the skin is extremely sensitive and suppurates easily, and pimples from around ulcers. Humid eczema of the scalp, sore and sensitive to touch. Eczema of the scrotum and genital organs boils. It is especially useful after the abuse of salves or ointment containing mercury or zinc.

KALI MURIATICUM: One of the most satisfactory remedies in the treatment of eczema capitities and moist eczema especially when chronic and obstinate in character .This observation has been repeatedly verified .Cartier and our Brazilian confers endorse it. It is also almost useful remedy inane and in sycotic skin manifestations.

Homeopathy Dosage Directions

Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C)

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