Psoriasis
From Wiki4CAM
Psoriasis ("sor-eye-ah-sus") is a skin condition that causes thick, red or silvery skin, with itching, scaling, irritation and burning. The condition is due to rapid growth of skin cells. It is mainly because of faulty immune system. T cells (a type of white blood cell), which protect the body against infection and disease by attacking bacteria and viruses, mistakenly attack the skin cells in case of psoriasis. As a result the body produces swelling and rapid production of skin cells as immune reaction. It usually affects elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet. There are findings which link the condition with genes and familial tendency. It is more common in the age between 10 and 45.
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Causes
As mentioned above the causes is linked with T cells. T cells normally fights viruses and bacteria throughout the body. In case of psoriasis, T cells attack healthy skin cells by mistake as if to heal a wound or to fight an infection. It also triggers other immune responses like dilation of blood vessels in the skin around the plaques and an increase in other white blood cells that can enter the epidermis. It results in increased production of healthy skin cells, and T cells and other white blood cells. Consequently new skin cells move to the outer layer of skin too quickly in few days, against in few weeks in normal cases. Resulted dead skin and white blood cells from a thick and scaly patches on the skin's surface. What causes T cells to trigger this pathophysiology isn't entirely clear. Researchers think genetic and environmental factors both play a role. Psoriasis can be triggered by infections, such as strep throat or thrush, injury to the skin, such as a cut or scrape, bug bite, or a severe sunburn, stress, cold weather, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, certain medications — including lithium, which is prescribed for bipolar disorder; high blood pressure medications such as beta blockers; antimalarial drugs; and iodides.
Symptoms
Symptoms include red, raised patches of scaly skin, dry, cracked skin (that may also bleed at times), sore, burning, itching, thick, pitted fingernails, pus-filled blisters on the red patches of skin (in more severe cases). In many people red, scaly patches on the skin of the knees and elbows is most common.
Examinations and tests
It is easily diagnosed by visual examination. Skin biopsy is done to rule out other conditions.
CAM therapies for psoriasis
Acupuncture
A study was published in 1992 with 61 cases of psoriasis with acupuncture, including 25 patients with complications of joint involvement and two cases with scleroderma. All of the patients had failed to respond to their prior conventional western medical management. 25 patients were males and 36 were females. Their ages ranged from 22 to 84 years, with an average of about 52 years. There was no significant difference of the average ages between the sexes. Most of them (about 61%) had quite extensive involvement of the body. The average of duration of their illness was over 16 years, ranging from two to 65 years. They received an average of about nine sessions of acupuncture treatment, ranging from one to 15. Almost one third (19) of them had eleven to thirteen sessions.
With the acupuncture treatment, about one-half (30) of the 61 patients had complete or almost complete clearance of the skin lesions. About a quarter (14 patients) of them had a clearance of about two thirds of the skin lesions. Eight of them had a clearance of one third of the skin lesions. Nine patients had minimal or no improvement. Authors' experience indicates that acupuncture is an effective therapeutic modality for psoriasis, particularly when the western medical management is unsuccessful. They speculated about the possible involvement of the cutaneous reticuloendothelial system in the clearance of the skin lesions. [1]
There are many other studies which support acupuncture in the treatment of psoriasis. Acupuncture mainly focusses on eliminating the "heat" and "dampness" in the meridians (energy pathways in the body) associated with psoriasis. Points are usually local to the affected area.
Ayurveda and herbal remedies
According to ayurveda psoriasis is considered as the vitiation of Vata and Kapha. In ayurvedic treatment detoxification is done by "Panchakarma" treatments. Treatment methods include Abhayangam (Oil Massage), Snehapanam (Taking medicated ghee), Elakizhi (Leaf Bundle Massage), Vamana (Induced Vomiting), Takra Dhara (Medicated Butter Milk poured continuously on the hair bearing area and a gentle massage is done), Pizhichil (Oil Bath with 3 litres of Oil), Siro Vasti (keeping oil on head) and other Vastis (enemas which include Kashaya vasthi, Anuvasana Vasthi Etc.), Virechanam (Purgation), Raktha Mokshanam (Blood Letting) and Lepanam (Application of Ointments).
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is known for its efficacy in skin diseases. Following drugs are for psoriasis with indication.
Ammonum carbonicum
White pea-sized spots upon the cheek, which continually exfoliate, skin very sensitive to cold; aversion to being washed; nose-bleed when washing the face in the morning; in weak, nervous individuals.
Arsenicum album
Eruption red or white and scaling; skin dry and scaly; great restlessness with weakness and prostration, worse about midnight; burning itching; oppression of breathing; aggravated by eating fruit, ice cream, etc.
Arsenicum iodatum
Dry scaly burning itching eruption on various parts; persistent itching on the back; in obstinate cases.
Berberis vulgaris
The eruption appears with itching, lymphatic swellings on the articulations; must scratch very hard.
Calcarea carbonica
Scurfy spots on the leg; burning, and itching; skin cracks; profuse sweat from the slightest exertion; large abdomen; blue eyes, blonde hair, fair skin.
Clematis
The eruption is chronic and long lasting, and becomes redder and more humid with the increasing, paler and dryer with the decreasing moon.
Fluoric acid
Roughness on the forehead like a rough line with its convexity upwards. Reddish spots above the eyebrows; desquamation on the eyebrows; nails brittle, edges bent in.
Hydrocotyle
Circular spots with slightly raised scaly edges.
Iodine
Rough, dry and dirty yellow color of the skin. Nervous irritation, and emaciation, with good appetite; psoriasis circinata.
Iris versicolor
Irregular psoriatic patches on the knees and elbows, covered with shining scales; eruption becomes hard and dry; skin fissured and irritable; digestive derangement, with nausea, and debility; starting during sleep; psoriasis diffusa.
Manganum
In inveterate cases.
Mercurius
Psoriasis of the hands; psoriasis in spots all over the body; scaling off and exfoliation of the finger nails; the scalp is painful to the touch; easy perspiration without relief; recent cases.
Mezereum
Scurf-like scales on the back, chest, scalp and thighs; roughness and scaling here and there; pruritus increased by scratching or when undressing.
Muriaticum acidum
Psoriasis of the hands; great sensitiveness to damp weather.
Natrum arsenicosum
Thin whitish scales, which when removed leave the skin slightly reddened.
Nitric acid
Burning, itching or stabbing pains, worse at night, from change of weather, or during perspiration; strong smelling urine, like that of horses.
Petroleum
Skin of the hands cracked and rough; unhealthy skin; aversion to the open air; extreme sensitiveness to slight touch; falling off of the hair.
Phosphorus
Psoriasis of the arms and hands, and on the knees and elbows; arms and hands become numb; brownish or bluish-red blotches, with furfuraceous dry scaling; coldness of the knees at night in bed; falling out of the hair in large bunches; dry cough, with soreness in the chest; tall, fair children, with tuberculous tendency.
Phytolacca
Surface of the skin shrunken and of a leaden color; squamous eruption; rheumatic pains in the extremities.
Psorinum
Eruption dry and scaling, with itching, weakness, and debility; after acute diseases, profuse colliquative sweats.
Selenium
Dry, scaly eruption on the palms of the hands, with slight itching.
Sepia
Psoriasis on the face; red roughness of the skin; falling off of the hair; during pregnancy and nursing; dark complexioned individuals.
Silicea
Elevated scurfy spots near the coccyx; small white scales on the face and neck; white spots on the cheeks; sensation of numbness in the extremities; brittleness of the nails; in scrofulous, large-bellied children.
Tellurium
Psoriasis annulata, eruption over the whole body.
Teucrium
Psoriasis on the index finger of the right hand.[2]
Naturopathy
In naturopathic perspective, the digestive system need to be kept healthy. Fresh fruits and vegetables will be helpful to keep the digestive system proper. High fibre diet is to be taken to ease digestion. Fish, raw nuts and seeds are also to be taken. In addition to that drinking plenty of water will help in cleansing the systems and organs kidney and liver.
Siddha
Unani
Yoga
Pranayama is practiced to cleanse the systems.
References
- ↑ Acupuncture treatment for psoriasis: a retrospective case report
- ↑ Douglass M. E., Skin Diseases
