Understanding everything about psoriasis
CONTENTS
- Definition
- Causes of psoriasis
- Different types of psoriasis
- Existing natural solutions
Psoriasis affects 2 to 7% of the population (1). It naturally affects both men and women.
What are the causes and symptoms of psoriasis? And above all, what are the remedies and natural treatments who can help relieve psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a complex disease to manage since nothing can cure psoriasis, and that this type of dermatitis has phases of flare-ups and remissions. There are, however, good ideas for treating psoriasis, in the classic way or through natural treatments.
Definition of psoriasis
PSORIASIS is a skin disease that affects BODY and SCALP.
It presents itself in 90% of cases in the form of plaque psoriasis or gout psoriasis : red spots or covered with scales.
This disease is neither contagious nor allergic in nature.
Psoriasis can occur at any age, but the first flare-ups most often appear between the ages of 10 and 30. It's a chronic disease whose evolution is unpredictable: phases of recurrence (or regrowth of psoriasis) followed by remission phases.
Nothing at present can cure psoriasis. The only answers today all have the same objective: HELP WHITEN PSORIASIS, make the traces disappear (more or less) and thus allow us to live normally, especially in front of others.
Psoriasis and autoimmune components : skin suffering from psoriasis interprets any contact as an attack and defends itself by overproducing epidermal cells, like real protective barriers: the dander. This defense mechanism therefore leads to cell renewal over 4 to 6 days, instead of the usual 28 days.
Causes of psoriasis
The major causes which explain the occurrence of psoriasis are multiple:
1. PSORIASIS AND GENETIC PLAN
Family and genetic origin psoriasis is significantly advanced in 30% of cases(3). A bouquet of different genes predisposes to developing the disease.
2. Psoriasis and stress
To explain the causes of psoriasis, other factors also come into play such as stress, weakness of the digestive system, sensitivity to water quality, etc. which, alone or combined, can give rise to its appearance. .
3. Psoriasis Itches
A psoriasis attack most often causes dryness of the skin and severe itching which is necessarily extremely unpleasant. Scratching them is a reflex, but has damaging consequences: the skin feels even more attacked. Scratching is therefore equivalent to self-generate a skin defense reaction and the creation of new scales.
Different types of psoriasis
1. Plaque psoriasis
He covers 90% of cases. THE lesions are red, irritated often crowned with dander. When the scales fall off they leave the epidermis raw. The treatment for this type of psoriasis is local treatment (mainly creams or balms).
Find out more: Everything you need to know about plaque psoriasis, symptoms, advice, treatments.
2. Guttate psoriasis
It is noted by a multiplication of small drops of psoriasis on all parts of the body. Due to their small size, these small drops can whitewash faster than plaques with good treatment.
See our article dedicated to gout psoriasis: What is gout psoriasis, what natural treatments exist for gout psoriasis?
3. Palmar-plantar psoriasis
This type of psoriasis only affects the hands and feet. Often pustular or even purulent, this type of psoriasis is also painful. It may look like a yeast infection. View information and treatments for psoriasis of the hands and feet, symptoms, advice and existing treatments?
4. Nails: Nail psoriasis
Also called nail psoriasis, it concerns toenails and fingernails. 50% of people suffering from psoriasis are also affected by nail psoriasis to a greater or lesser extent.
The nail is dotted with a whitish spotted, it becomes fragile and often flakes.
See Care and advice for nail psoriasis (nail psoriasis).
5. Inverse fold psoriasis
It is located at arm folds (shoulder, elbow, wrist) and leg (hip, knee, kick). The affected areas have less scale, but they are more irritated and sometimes oozing. Their treatment is difficult.
6. Pustular psoriasis
It's about a severe form of psoriasis : flat white and yellow pustules form; they tend to weld together. These pustules are often located between the fingers of the foot or hand. More information on pustular psoriasis in our psoriasis primer.
7. Erythrodermic psoriasis
Here's another severe form of psoriasis. The skin is very red, the fine scales fall off in large shreds. This type of psoriasis is often accompanied by secondary infections. Hair and nails may fall out. Only heavy treatment can relieve it. Learn more about the psoriasis erythroderma.
8. Arthritic psoriasis
Seulement 3 to 5% of people with psoriasis are aware of this complication. Psoriasis, an external condition, turns into a deforming inflammatory rheumatism. The treatment of this type of psoriasis is systemic.
Natural treatments for psoriasis
Pso Natura care, herbal medicine products
Le Regenerating Foaming Complex, is the star treatment of the Pso Natura range. 100% plant-based, it presents 94% effective on psoriasis, according to an independent clinical study.
Its effectiveness is notably linked to its high content of wild Carapa procera oil, our exclusivity.
Three other phyto-treatments are also available:
- Rich moisturizing cream,
- Shampoo for flaky and itchy conditions for the scalp,
- Detox & Zen capsules for a holistic natural response (internal + external) for very convincing results on the problems of redness, scales and itching.
See also our advices general for psoriasis and our care.
Other Natural Treatments for Psoriasis
Essential oils for psoriasis
Concerning psoriasis and essential oils, let's quote burdock, wild pansy or sarsaparilla which help relieve psoriasis. THE calendula is also interesting.
They are often greasy and very odorous, and above all, they can be dangerous, toxic and/or allergenic if they are poorly dosed. Consult a healthcare professional.
Improvement possible, but results on psoriasis are often slow to occur.
Special psoriasis spa treatments
The benefits of thermal waters against psoriasis are multiple. These cures have a dual objective: local apps of “active substances” combined with patient relaxation (important since psoriasis wakes up with stress). Relatively effective, but often short-lived when you return to your normal life.
There are around fifteen anti-psoriasis cures in France (Avène, La Roche Posay, etc.). 3 week cures. A global program sometimes with discussion groups. Reduction of traces, rather than disappearance.
- Dead Sea Cure against psoriasis: Minimum 2 weeks (avoid December & January, because of little sun – and August because of too much sun). Expensive, non-reimbursed (partial coverage by certain mutual insurance companies), you have to return to the Dead Sea regularly.
- Blue Lagoon Cure in Iceland: warm water lagoon at 37 degrees in the middle of the Icelandic countryside. Be careful when leaving the bath… Very expensive considering all the extras (taxis to go to the countryside, hotels, etc.), but rather effective. We have to go back.
Nutritherapy against psoriasis
The nutrition of Dr Seignalet who recommends a return to an ancestral type diet. Living 100% organic, ban many things considered dangerous since introduced by modern civilization. A controversial subject for experts.
Naturopathy
Naturopathy for health develops more and more, we combines psychology, diet and health, all in a completely natural way.
Other natural treatments for psoriasis
Marine phospholipids
La natural marine lecithin is a phospholipid. Extracted from wild pelagic fish (rich in omega-3), marine phospholipids have an action on the liver, the heart and even the brain. In addition, they have virtues against psoriasis. Studies still underway to confirm this point. However, let us mention “Psoriacalm”, 9 capsules per day, 2 months of minimum treatment.
Be careful, there is a risk of “liquefying” the blood. Be careful especially for people following anticoagulant treatment.
Probiotics
These are lactic and bifidus ferments which would have an influence on our inner well-being and therefore on psoriasis. Packaged in capsules, sometimes recommended by naturopaths.
Psychotherapy
To the extent that it allows you to reconcile with yourself, it can also help reduce stress. Why not ? Even if the results are obviously very difficult to measure.
Psoriasis and vitamins
Vitamins A, B, C or D are beneficial in cases of psoriasis.
This plant contains active ingredients that help with healing, but also to soothe intestinal disorders.
Psoriasis and cannabis : natural alternative or danger? The debate is ongoing, since cannabis is increasingly recommended as part of medical treatments and it is obvious that cannabis helps to combat stress in particular, even if undoubtedly in a very transitory way.
Know that there is a World Psoriasis Day to inform about the disease and its treatments, generally at the end of October.
Classic local treatments against psoriasis
Anti-psoriasis creams
corticosteroids
Based on cortisone. Favorable effect on the mild to moderate psoriasis. Let us cite the best known and most popular: Diprosone (ointment or cream), Diprosalic scalp lotion.
Risks: Habituation effect which requires increasing doses over time, but cortisone cannot be used daily and for a long time. Also risk of disease rebound.
Subfamily of corticosteroids
Treatments combining cortisone and calcipotriene (derived from Vitamin D) – Vitamin D is synthesized during exposure of the skin to ultraviolet solar light.
Calcipotriene treatments can therefore replace puvatherapy in particular. Let us cite the best known: Daivonex, Daivobet (calcipotriol betamethasone).
Risks: in high doses, calcipotriol becomes toxic. Slight irritant potential.
Salicylic acid
Salicylated Vaseline 5% to 10% (caution, not for children) – Soothing action, known to soothe fever. Used in preservatives for example. Let's mention Anexeryl.
Risks: toxicity if too large a quantity.
Tar
The treatments are messy and even very odorous, but effective. Let us cite in particular the shampoo with Cade oil, or with tar, carbodome. Emollient baths (Caditar soap, aveenoderm, polytar). Let's also mention Coaltar.
Disadvantages: Messy, requires sleeping with bandages, and therefore very restrictive.
Puva- or phototherapy
(ultraviolet A or B) Recognized for a certain effectiveness. Tolerance threshold varies depending on the patient. Can obviously be combined with other treatments. Heavy treatment: 8 to 10 weeks, with sessions at the dermatologist 3 times a week in general.
Risks: patients are exposed to helioderma and the risk of melanoma. The number of puvatherapy sessions in a lifetime is limited.
See the article by sciencedirect.com on the recommendations of the French Photodermatology Society.
General (or systemic) treatments for psoriasis
They treat the body as a whole by distributing medications through the bloodstream. Generally used in stage 2, after having tried local treatments. Systemic treatments are often cumbersome and can present medium/long term risks. 30 to 40% of patients are affected. Main treatments (non-exhaustive):
Methotrexate
Reference drug (70% good results).
Retinoids
Properties similar to Vitamin A. For severe forms of psoriasis which do not respond to other therapies. Frequent resurgence after stopping the product. Let us mention in particular Soriatane.
Risks: may cause birth defects if the patient becomes pregnant.
Soriatane: can cause hair loss, peeling of the lips, dryness of the mucous membranes.
cyclosporin
The most powerful general treatment. Immunodepressant, can produce positive effects, but also significant side effects mainly due to the weakening of the immune defense system.
Other risks: renal toxicity, maximum 1 year in a row.
Enbrel
It can be used alone or in combination with methotrexate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis active in adults in the event of an inadequate response to disease-modifying treatments, including methotrexate (unless contraindications). In the form of injections.
Side effects: very common, infections (including upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, cystitis, skin infections)*. Uncommon: Serious infections (including pneumonia, cellulitis, septic arthritis, sepsis).
To find out what psoriasis looks like and its specific characteristics, read our article on psoriasis in photos
Also read our focus on:
- How to treat facial psoriasis naturally ?
- Genital psoriasis, sexuality and natural treatments
More information on the impact of French recommendations on prescribing habits for systemic treatments for moderate to severe psoriasis, by sciencedirecte.com
This content was written under the direction of:
Author: Doctor Jean-François Loumeau
sources:
(1)National Library of Medicine
(2) Canadian Psoriasis Network,
(3) INSERM National Institute of Health and Medical Research:
