PSORIASIS
By Dr. Arun Kheria
PSORIASIS is
a non-infectious, non-contagious and prolonged inflammatory disease
of the skin that causes erythromatous (reddish) plaques with large
adherent silvery scales. The scaly patches on skin are called psoriatic
plaques. It is the condition of excessive skin production or unusual
proliferation of skin cells. Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites and takes
a silvery-white appearance. It commonly affects the skin of the elbows,
knees, and scalp.
Psoriasis
is an autoimmune disorder, in which body’s immune system send out faulty
signals that speed ups the growth-cycle of skin cells and the condition become
scaly skin. The following factors are also responsible for worsening the
condition:
1.
Consumption of
opposite foods, such as fish and milk together.
2.
Excessive consumption
of sour and salty tastes i.e. pickle, curd etc.
3.
Uses of Some kind of
medicines and cosmetic products.
4.
Excessive smoking and
alcohol consumption.
5. Mental stress or psychological trauma.
There are five types of Psoriasis :
1. Erythrodermic – The skin redness is very
intense and covers a large area.
2. Guttate – Small,
pink-red spots appear on the skin.
3. Inverse – Skin
redness and irritation occurs in the armpits, groin, and in between overlapping
skin.
4. Plaque – Thick, red
patches of skin are covered by flaky, silver-white scales. This is the most
common type of psoriasis.
5. Pustular – White
blisters are surrounded by red, irritated skin.
Symptoms
1.
Raised, red patches of skin topped with
loose, silvery scales.
2.
Itching or burning skin
3.
Joint swelling, tenderness, and pain
4.
Skin pain and inflammation
5.
Skin blisters may appear
6.
Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
7.
Genital lesions in males
8.
Severe dandruff on the scalp
9.
Nail changes, including thick nails,
yellow-brown nails, dents in the nail
10. Emotional distress
Ayurvedic
View
In
Ayurveda, Psoriasis is described under Kushtha roga as Sidhma Kushta. It occurs due to vitiation of VATA and KAPHA
doshas. But, in some conditions Pitta dosha can also involve causing burning
sensation over & around the psoriatic patches or plaques. Due to improper diet with aggravation of doshas, toxins
creates and accumulates in deeper tissues
like rasa (nutrient
plasma), rakta (blood), mansa (muscles),
and lasika (lymphatic).
These toxins cause contamination of deeper tissues, leading to Psoriasis. The predominance of VATA dosha causes pain, dryness and scaling of
skin. PITTA dosha vitiation leads to burning sensation, redness, inflammation
etc and KAPHA dosha causes rashes, itching, discharge, thickening of skin etc.
According
to ayurveda, unhealthy and irregular food habits, consumption of
incompatible foods like dairy products with fish, excessive intake of yogurt,
pickles, seafood, sour and salted items etc are the causes of production of
toxins, which leads to Psoriasis and consumption of alcohol and tobacco act as
a catalyst to it. Physical and psychological stress is also act as a Psoriasis
triggers.
Therefore, the traditional
Ayurveda treatment focuses on balancing the aggravated doshas, eliminating the build
up of toxins or impurities through classical (Shastrokta) medicines as well as
customized diet and lifestyle plans. In other words Ayurveda treatment focuses
on
· Purification of blood
with all other involved tissues (Dhatus).
· Rejuvenation of the
complex systems of the skin and the nervous system (for Psychological
stabilization) through and
· Strengthening of the
body immunization system.
Diet
& Lifestyle for Psoriasis
1. Eat all type of green
vegetable and fresh fruits (except acid fruits).
Avoid :-
·
Non vegetarian food like red meat and eggs.
·
Consumption of opposite foods (ex. Fish and
Milk).
·
Too much salty, sour or acidic foods and
Vinegar.
·
Radishes, curds, fish and other sour foods.
·
Consumption of Alcohol, tea, coffee and
Smoking.
2. Do not control natural urges
like vomiting, urination, stool, etc.
3. Avoid sleeping in day time.
4. Do not take cold water bath
immediately after sun exposure and heavy workout.
5. Do Yoga and meditation for
stress free life.
Herbs
commonly used in treatment of psoriasis
1.
Garlic(Allium sativum) -It helps in purification of blood and get rid of toxins.
2. Turmeric – It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial
properties, which are helpful in reducing pain and inflammation.
3. Neem – It is helpful in purification and detoxification of
blood and other involved tissues. Neem is also helpful to enhance the immune
system and neem oil is an antiseptic in itself, application of Neem oil reduces
redness and itching of psoriatic lesions.
