Psoriasis is one of the most misunderstood diseases. The causes of this disease or the ways to cure it are not known with certainty. It is believed that it is impossible to achieve complete cure of psoriasis, therefore the main goal of therapy is to achieve long-term stable remission and reduce the frequency of exacerbations. Since this disease requires the correction of nutrition, lifestyle, systematic use of drugs and non-pharmacological agents, psoriasis is mainly treated at home.
Causes and signs of psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic pathology with a recurrent course. The disease can affect various organs and tissues, but the main manifestations of psoriasis are dermatological. The red lesions spill onto the skin, which tend to enlarge and join together. Its surface is covered in grayish scales, which are easily scraped, revealing wet, shiny spots with "bloody dew" spots underneath.
The most common sites for psoriatic plaques are the knees and elbows, the scalp, behind the ears, and the lower back. The rash is often accompanied by itching, a feeling of tightness, and discomfort in the affected areas.
The appearance of psoriasis is associated with stress, with a recent infectious disease, allergies, endocrine pathologies, but, according to many experts, it is based on a genetic defect. Any of the above factors is just a "trigger" that activates the body's abnormal response mechanism to external stimuli.
Due to the failure, the division process of epidermal cells is interrupted. The rate of death and desquamation of superficial cells increases 4-5 times compared to the usual cycle. As a result, the scales that do not have time to exfoliate naturally form hard growths - plaques.
Rules for treating psoriasis at home
Treatment for psoriasis includes two areas:
- symptomatic: elimination of the acute symptoms of the disease (external agents, antihistamines, physiotherapy);
- pathogenic:diet, desensitization of the body, cleansing measures, hormonal therapy, etc.
In severe cases, treatment in stationary conditions is indicated, it is possible to use severe hormonal drugs and basic therapy. The rest of the time, the patient fights the disease on her own, choosing the most effective methods by trial and error.
Psoriasis is a disease that does not have a one-size-fits-all solution. Remedies that are suitable for one patient may aggravate the other. An individual approach is required here more than ever, but there are general principles that must be followed for successful psoriasis treatment at home:
- Listen to your body. No one except you can identify all the factors that trigger a psoriasis exacerbation and find remedies that work well on your plaques.
- Self-treatment is recommended under the supervision of a dermatologist. Do not give up tests, procedures and medications prescribed by a specialist.
- With a mild form of psoriasis, good results can be achieved by removing the triggering factors and using non-drug treatments, including home remedies. If the manifestations of the disease are very pronounced and the psoriasis progresses, then "heavy artillery" in the form of hormones and cytostatics may be required, strictly according to medical prescription.
- Consistency and regularity are important in treating psoriasis. You cannot stop using effective remedies when the first results appear. Most drugs require a long cycle, first therapeutic, then - "fixation".
- It is important to maintain normal skin moisture, avoid scrapes, trauma, and careless removal of scabs. Plates can only be cleaned after preliminary softening and only if it can be done effortlessly.
- Many treatments cannot be used during the acute phase. Heatstroke, climate change, spa procedures, some ointments should be applied only with the beginning of the stationary stage.
Treatment of psoriasis: how to smear the plaques?
The most popular and effective treatments for psoriasis on the skin are pharmaceutical creams and ointments. Many of the topical preparations have serious side effects and should be used with caution. This is especially true in the case of hormonal ointments, but in the case of non-hormonal ones, it is better to consult a doctor and strictly follow the recommendations for use.
Hormonal ointments
Hormonal agents in the treatment of psoriasis are indicated for persistent skin symptoms that are resistant to other therapeutic effects. The benefits of these drugs are fast acting. The patient's condition is literally improving before our eyes, but this effect is misleading. After stopping use, the plates not only return, they become more intense. Hormonal ointments are addictive and with prolonged use: damage to the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system, thinning and atrophy of the skin. There is also a fear that hormone-based medications "push" psoriasis into the body and the disease will manifest itself in a more serious form: psoriatic arthritis.
The addiction and withdrawal effects make hormonal ointments an undesirable treatment. If possible, it is recommended to avoid its use. If necessary, use it for a short time, gradually cancel.
Today, several groups of drugs are prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis:
- Triamcinolone ointments.They have an antihistamine, antipruritic effect, relieve inflammation. They can provoke local reactions, changes in the structure of the skin, atrophy.
- Products with the active ingredient flumethasone.Reduces itching, has an anti-exudative effect. It adversely affects the skin, over time it can lead to systemic disorders.
- Hydrocortisone ointments.Reduces capillary permeability, relieves swelling of affected foci, but with prolonged use there is a risk of systemic disorders.
- Betamethasone-based preparations.They have anti-inflammatory and anti-exudative effects. Suppresses the accelerated desquamation process of epithelial cells. Skin disorders and systemic problems are possible.
Non-steroidal drugs
Non-hormonal ointments are the preferred treatment for psoriasis. They do not work as quickly and strongly as hormones, but their effect is more persistent and long lasting. Nonsteroidal ointments can be used for a long time without fear of addiction and the development of negative consequences.
In psoriasis drugs with different compositions and different effects are used, many of them are combined with each other. The main groups of applied ointments:
- Salicylic.The acid they contain softens plaques and helps cleanse the skin. Reduces inflammation, acts as an antiseptic. The remedies are usually prescribed to remove the scales, and then the affected area is treated with another remedy with medicinal ingredients.
- Zinc.Dry eruptions, relieve inflammation and irritation of the skin, create a protective film that prevents negative effects on the affected areas from the outside.
- Tar.Ointments with the addition of birch, pine, coal tar have an anti-inflammatory and disinfecting effect. They stimulate blood circulation, improve the healing of damaged skin. To remove plaque, you can add pure tar when preparing your own remedies. Tar ointments can be poorly tolerated, so they start smearing them on small areas in test mode. With good tolerance, the dose is increased. Tar increases the photosensitivity of the skin, which can lead to allergies to the sun in summer.
- Ointments fortified with D.Calcipotriol-based preparations have been shown to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis. They suppress proliferation, reduce plaque, and prevent it from reappearing. They do not cause atrophic processes. If there is an effect, they provide a stable remission. It is recommended to use it in conjunction with UV therapy, the combination with salicylic ointments is contraindicated.
- Oil-based ointments.Exfoliates plaque, relieves itching and inflammation, but requires careful use. With increased sensitivity, it can provoke a worsening of the skin manifestations of psoriasis, furunculosis. These funds are contraindicated in patients with anemia, kidney disease. Treatment with these drugs is carried out outside the stage of exacerbation.
- Vitamins.Vitamin ointments activate metabolic processes in the skin, restore trophism of tissues, promote regeneration, eliminate desquamation, slow down the keratinization of cells. Retinoids and preparations based on the tandem of vitamins E, A have these properties.
- Solid ointments.Effective agents with a pronounced anti-inflammatory, keratolytic and antipruritic effect. It penetrates deep into the skin and normalizes the metabolic processes in it. They are used for a long time, in the absence of allergies. These ointments cannot be combined with hormonal ointments and alcohol should be avoided during treatment.
Psoriasis: treatment from within
It is difficult to cope with the manifestations of psoriasis only with external agents. It is also necessary to act from the inside: desensitize, improve digestion.
- During an exacerbation, antihistamines have been shown to help relieve itching and eliminate the influence of triggering factors. In addition to the antiallergic effect, the drugs have a sedative effect.
- Detoxification of the body is carried out using sorbents.
- The use of enzymes is recommended to improve digestion.
- In psoriasis, liver support is important: hepatoprotectors are taken on a course.
- "Psoriasis" needs to be calm. Stress is one of the factors that trigger psoriasis. The disease itself, in turn, can lead to neurological problems: nervousness, insomnia, etc. Herbal sedatives are recommended.
- NSAIDs can help relieve joint pain in psoriasis.
The appearance of a source of infection in the body can lead to an exacerbation of psoriasis. Acute infectious and inflammatory diseases should be treated with antibiotics, as prescribed by a doctor.
How to treat scalp psoriasis at home: characteristics
ICH psoriasis is the most troublesome for patients. It is more difficult to treat than open skin, since the presence of hair requires a special approach to therapy and the use of special means.
Treatment of psoriasis on the head at home consists of the use of traditional shampoos, drugs and methods. Skin lesions can be mild, in the form of separate spots, or severe. In difficult cases, the head is covered with a so-called "crown" or "helmet", a hard, itchy and scaly psoriatic crust, mainly along the edge of hair growth on the forehead, behind the ears and on theneck.
Under no circumstances should you comb and "pick up" dry scabs. They need to be softened with a special keratolytic shampoo, a cleansing mask, and then gently remove loose scales from the skin.
Wash your psoriasis hair as often as necessary. It is preferable to use special or neutral shampoos. The second group includes products for children and adults for sensitive skin. They are free of fragrances, colorants and other harmful ingredients.
From medicated shampoos you can use:
- Tar.These products contain coal tar, which gives them a dark color and a specific odor. These shampoos are not well tolerated so testing is needed. Medicinal cosmetics are sold in pharmacies.
- Zinc.They contain zinc-pyrithione, which cleanses the scalp of dead scales and reduces their number, relieves itching. If allantoin, an emollient ingredient, is added to the shampoo, it helps reduce dry skin and heals damage faster. Some remedies are designed to treat dandruff, but can be used for milder psoriasis.
- Antifungal.Ketoconazole shampoos reduce flaking and itching and destroy fungal infections on the scalp.
In psoriasis, it is advisable not to rinse the shampoo immediately, but to keep it for several minutes to several hours, so that the medicinal substances can penetrate more deeply. The head should be washed gently without scratching the skin. After thoroughly rinsing the shampoo, rinse with cold water acidified with vinegar. Avoid using a hair dryer.
Regular ointments are not suitable for lubricating the plaque on the head. Hair is too greasy, sticky and does not wash well. It is best to buy medications in the form of a cream, lotion, emulsion, or spray; Many manufacturers produce their products in a form suitable for the treatment of ICH psoriasis.
Treatment of psoriasis on the head at home is successfully carried out with the help of folk remedies - masks and rinses.
Popular recipes:
- to soften the scabs, rub a mixture of oils on the scalp: base (olive, burdock) and essential (tea tree, rosemary, cypress), put on a hat and leave it until morning;
- make a paste of white or red clay with the addition of oils, spread over the head overnight;
- rub fresh onion juice on skin;
- rinse with a decoction of nettle, chamomile;
- mix grape, almond and coconut oil in a ratio of 1: 1: 2 (in tablespoons), add 1 tsp. cognac and honey, a few drops of lavender oil, mix well in a water bath, apply to the head for 2 hours;
- Exfoliate the scalp with sea salt with essential oil (eucalyptus, tea tree) - rub and gently massage with fingertips for 5 minutes, then wash hair;
- prepare a mask: burdock oil, 2 buds, alcohol tincture of calendula, a few drops of tar, and keep it on the head for 2-3 hours.
Home treatment for nail psoriasis
When psoriasis affects the nails, they become brittle, wavy and change color. These nails must be protected from external influences:
- do homework with gloves;
- abandon the trimmed manicure;
- cut nails shortly after soaking in water;
- use a protective healing varnish.
Home treatment for nail psoriasis includes:
- Reception of vitamin and mineral complexes that strengthen the nail plate, protect cell membranes from damage (vitamins C, E, calcium).
- Hormonal ointments are more effective for treating nails. When glucocorticosteroids are rubbed on the nail plate, they are practically not absorbed into the skin and do not penetrate into the bloodstream, so they are safe to use for 2-4 weeks.
- To strengthen and hydrate the nails, it is necessary to rub sea buckthorn oil daily (3 times a day) and vitamin A oil on them.
- To whiten and strengthen the nail plates, warm baths with cornstarch or oatmeal, infusion of celandine, nettle, thread are recommended.
Home remedies for psoriasis treatment
Herbal infusions are one of the most popular home treatments for psoriasis:
- Prepare 1 scoop in a thermos overnight. l. flax seeds (per glass of water). Before going to bed, drink 2 tablets of activated charcoal, take an infusion in the morning, eat the seeds. This recipe helps detoxify the body, helping to reduce the intensity of the symptoms of the disease.
- Collection broth: helenium roots (10 gr. ), calamus (12 gr. ), St. John's wort (15 gr. ) and celandine (5 gr. )Prepare 300 ml of hot water in a thermos, leave it for 3 hours. Filter, take 100 ml 2 times a day.
- 4 st. l. boil the seeds of a plow in a liter of water over low heat for 60 minutes. Strain and drink every hour with a spoon with an exacerbation, 4 times a day, in remission.
- Birch mushroom (100 gr. ) Prepare with hot water overnight. In the morning, grind the chaga and pour the remaining water heated to 50 degrees, leave it for three days. Filter, take 100 ml before each meal.
Effectively cleanses skin from plaque, relieves itching and calms baths:
- with broths of sage, string, celandine, St. John's wort;
- with sea salt;
- with blue clay;
- with baking soda
- with potato starch;
- with turpentine.
Before bathing, take a shower, then pour water at a comfortable temperature (not hot), dilute the medicinal composition. Bath time: 15-20 minutes, of course, every other day.
To lubricate the plates, you can use fresh juice of celandine or prepare an ointment: mix dry ground herb with petroleum jelly or baby cream.
A well-tasted buttercream (5 parts) with propolis (1 part). Put in a water bath, mix well and cool. Lubricate the plate with hydrogen peroxide before use.
Diet for psoriasis
Psoriasis is often associated with food allergies. Many patients know exactly which foods are causing them to spoil. Others believe that nutrition does not significantly affect their condition. In any case, it is recommended to follow a diet, at least during an exacerbation:
- exclude cocoa, chocolate;
- refuse the coffee;
- don't eat spicy food;
- avoid preservatives and other additives;
- limit citrus fruits, vegetables and red fruits;
- alcohol completely prohibited (especially beer).
Apart from exacerbation, the diet can be extended with "harmful" products, but at the same time carefully monitor the skin reaction.
Through diet, a healthy lifestyle, and home remedies for psoriasis, long-term remission can be achieved. But if home remedies obviously don't help, you should "surrender" to the dermatologist and not give up on the procedures and medications he offers. After alleviating the exacerbation with the help of official home medicine, it will be easier to engage in relapse prevention.