Psoriasis Care

Psoriasis is a skin disease in which the cells of the skin multiply with abnormal rate and certain piles of skin over the skin. These cells become dead like normal cells but appear as white flakes on the skin.

The skin appears usually reddish and there is extreme itching. It is not a very common skin disease. It is not contagious. It are not genetic. It may occur due to excess dry skin or stress. They increase significantly during winter months.

Care

Do not scratch at all. The more you will scratch itchier you will feel. Keep your nails short. If you have a tendency to itch while asleep wear gloves and sleep. A mild antihistamine can be taken.

Coal tar is a good remedy for psoriasis. You can prepare tar oil bath and immerse in it. Tar can be applied directly on the plaques. Chemists keep medical preparations made from coal tar. Tar shampoo and T gels are available. Advantage of these preparations is these do not smell of tar and can be washed off easily.

Patches of psoriasis can be treated using small ultraviolet A or ultraviolet B sun lamp. Excess absorption may lead to skin cancer so you need to talk to the dermatologist about how much exposure you need.

Keep a check on your weight. Start a weight loss regime if you are overweight. Obesity worsens psoriasis. Most people get rid of psoriasis once they lose excess weight. Also, avoid alcohol and binge eating. Unhealthy eating habits will worsen the conditions.

Plaques may become better with consumption of fish oil capsules. Maintain healthy and stress free life style. Research shows that psoriasis is triggered with anxiety.

Taking frequent water baths helps in flattening plaques and decreasing itching. You may also apply ice cubes (in a plastic bag) on the affected area. Try to stay away from infections.  Even minor infection encounters can aggravate psoriasis.

A simple home remedy for psoriasis on scalp is olive oil massage. Warm some olive oil and massage onto the scalp, cover with a shower cap and let it work for 30 minutes or overnight. Wash it off with an anti-dandruff shampoo. Do this remedy every night until the scalp becomes clear. Once it does become clear repeat this remedy every week.