Psoriasis Overview

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes cells to build up speedily on the surface of the skin. The extra skin cells form scales and red patches are often associated with itching and flaking. Psoriasis symptoms usually occur on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back and genitals, but they can appear anywhere. Psoriasis can also affect the fingernails.

Psoriasis disease is not contagious and does not spread from person to person. In most people, the rash is limited to a few patches of skin. In severe cases, it can cover large areas of the body.

The main goal of psoriasis treatment should therefore be to stop the skin cells from growing so quickly.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease wherein the immune cells of the body attack the body’s own skin cells mistakenly. Normally, skin cells are replaced every 28 to 30 days. In psoriasis disease, new cells grow and move to the surface of the skin every 3 to 4 days. The buildup of old cells being replaced by new cells creates silvery scales of psoriasis on the skin. Some of the factors that are believed to trigger psoriasis disease are:

• Stress
• Infections like strep throat or skin infections
• Cold weather
• Friction and injuries to the skin
• Excessive alcohol and smoking Read More

Causes

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease wherein the immune cells of the body attack the body’s own skin cells mistakenly. Normally, skin cells are replaced every 28 to 30 days. In psoriasis disease, new cells grow and move to the surface of the skin every 3 to 4 days. The buildup of old cells being replaced by new cells creates silvery scales of psoriasis on the skin. Some of the factors that are believed to trigger psoriasis disease are:

• Stress
• Infections like strep throat or skin infections
• Cold weather
• Friction and injuries to the skin
• Excessive alcohol and smoking Read More

Symptoms

Some of the common psoriasis symptoms are:

• Red, raised, inflamed patches of skin
• Whitish-silver scaly skin or plaques covering the patches
• Soreness around the patches
• Dry skin that may crack and bleed
• Itching and burning sensation
• Thick, pitted nails
• Painful, swollen joints Read More

Complications

Psoriasis skin disease can take a toll on your physical as well as mental health. According to a survey, it has been found that people with psoriasis experience higher rates of depression and anxiety, and are twice as likely to have thoughts of suicide as those without the disease.

Psoriasis has also been linked to a higher risk of psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and eye conditions like conjunctivitis.

Diagnosis

Our doctors can identify psoriasis disease based on the visible signs and symptoms, your medical history and examination of the lesions. Psoriasis diagnosis is done through the ultra-violet rays as well. Dr Batra’s™ homeopathic clinics* also have India’s first 3-D Imaging device for accurate analysis and evaluation of your skin. Based on an advanced optical technology developed by scientists in Dublin, 3-D Imaging device captures the condition upto 10 mm below the surface of the skin. This helps to know the problem at least 12 weeks in advance before it can be seen on the skin by the naked eye. This helps with early diagnosis and even saves on the treatment time. Read More

Snapshot of a 3D analysis report for psoriasis ~

Prevention

Here are some things you can do to help improve psoriasis outbreaks and symptoms:

• Never scrub your skin when you bathe
• Use a natural moisturizer which soothes your skin
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to prevent sunburn
• Avoid using harsh soaps
• To lessen friction, wear loose clothes
• Shower immediately after you finish exercising

Homeopathic Treatment for Psoriasis

Homeopathy offers long-lasting psoriasis treatment, that too without any side-effects. Psoriasis being an autoimmune problem, homeopathy helps to build immunity managing psoriasis effectively. It also takes into account precipitating factors like infections and stress that can flare up psoriasis disease. Psoriasis treatment in homeopathy also controls the further progression of the disease and reduces the chances of complications. Read More

Case Study

Sumeet Kumar was only 16-years old when he was diagnosed with psoriasis disease. He had red, raised, thick scaly skin all over his body. Being under constant stress due to his family matters and also due to his psoriasis, it was becoming a difficult task to lead his day-to-day life. To know more about how Sumeet cleared his skin eruptions, Read More

Psoriasis in family? You can prevent it with Geno Homeopathy.

If psoriasis disease runs in your family and you are worried that it might affect you as well, we can predict it years before it actually occurs with Geno Homeopathy. It is carried out through a simple saliva test that not only helps us to predict the probability of getting psoriasis but also helps in treating the root cause. It reduces your chances of getting psoriasis disease through preventive medicine, appropriate diet and lifestyle changes. Since Geno Homeopathy is based on your individualized genetic predisposition, it is, therefore, the most individualized and customized psoriasis treatment in homeopathy.

Snapshot of a genetic test report for psoriasis ~

FAQs

After suffering from psoriasis disease for long, I have learnt to live with it. Is it necessary to treat it?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease and needs to be medically addressed. If left untreated, there is a possibility that it will increase not only in number and size of the existing lesions but also affect the fingers, toenails and joints leading to deformities. It may rarely lead to a dangerous septic condition of the skin, which might even lead to death. So, it is necessary to take psoriasis treatment as early as possible to avoid further complications.

Is psoriasis hereditary? Will my son get it from me? If yes, then please tell me how to get rid of psoriasis?
About 40% people with psoriasis disease have family members suffering from the skin problem. There are also cases of psoriasis that occur without any family history. This indicates that although there is a genetic predisposition, there is no guarantee that a person will develop psoriasis disease just because of a positive family history. The occurrence of psoriasis symptoms can also skip generations; it can affect the grandchildren by skipping the parents. However, if psoriasis runs in the family, we recommend our Genetic Test for all the family members. Dr Batra's™ Geno Homeopathy is a gene-targeted therapy that can predict a problem years before it actually. It is carried out through a simple saliva test that not only helps us to predict the probability of getting psoriasis but also helps in treating the root cause. It reduces your chances of getting psoriasis through preventive medicine, appropriate diet and lifestyle changes.

Can psoriasis be cured?
The cure of psoriasis depends upon the chronicity and the type of psoriasis disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), when all existing lesions of psoriasis are healed and no new lesion occurs for five consecutive years, it can be considered as cured. Guttate psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that has best chances of being cured. Early psoriasis treatment helps avoid its spread and complications and offers better chances of a cure.

I have been suffering from psoriasis since last two years and tried almost all psoriasis creams and ointments available that claim treating it. However, the patches go away when I apply, but show up once the application is stopped. How to cure psoriasis fast? Can homeopathy help?
External creams and ointments may temporarily help to control the existing patches; they cannot stop the development of newer patches. Psoriasis, being an autoimmune disorder, needs to be treated internally by building immunity; creams and ointments cannot do this. Also, in our experience, the relief provided by ointments is temporary and returns as soon as their use is stopped.
Homeopathic medicines for psoriasis help to reduce the presenting symptoms like redness, itching and scaly skin. By building immunity over a period of time, they help to heal the lesions completely and without side-effects. Homeopathy also helps in treating psoriatic arthritis. One has to keep in mind that psoriasis is a disease that has remissions and relapses. With psoriasis homeopathic treatment, the periods of remissions can be prolonged and the periods of relapses can be shortened. Read more