How to treat psoriasis at home?

Psoriasis is one of the most misunderstood diseases. Neither the causes of this disease nor the modalities of its treatment are known with certainty. It is believed that it is impossible to achieve complete healing from psoriasis, so 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, the systematic use of drugs and non-pharmacological agents, psoriasis is mainly treated at home.

Causes and signs of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic disease with a recurrent course. The disease can affect various organs and tissues, but the main manifestations of psoriasis are dermatological. The red lesions pour into the skin, which tend to widen and join together. Their surface is covered with grayish flakes, which can be easily scraped off, revealing shiny, wet spots with "bloody dew" spots underneath.

The most common sites for psoriatic plaques are knees and elbows, scalp, behind the ears and lower back. The rash is often accompanied by itching, tightness and discomfort in the affected areas.

The appearance of psoriasis is associated with stress, a recent infectious disease, allergies, endocrine pathologies, but, according to many experts, it is based on a genetic defect. Any of the above factors are just a "trigger" that triggers the mechanism of the body's abnormal response to external stimuli.

Due to the failure, the division process of the epidermal cells is interrupted. The rate of death and desquamation of the surface cells increases 4 - 5 times over the usual cycle. As a result, scales that do not have time to peel off naturally form hard growths - plaques.

Rules for the treatment of psoriasis at home

Treatment of psoriasis includes two areas:

1. symptomatic- removal of acute symptoms of the disease (external agents, antihistamines, physiotherapy);
2. pathogenetic:diet, desensitization of the body, purification measures, hormone therapy and so on.

In severe cases, treatment in stationary conditions is indicated, severe hormonal drugs and basic therapy can be used. The rest of the time, the patient fights the disease on his own, choosing the most effective methods by trial and error.

Psoriasis is a disease that does not have a one-size-fits-all solution. Those remedies suitable for one patient can aggravate the other. Here, more than ever, an individual approach is required, but there are general principles that should be followed to successfully treat psoriasis at home:

1. Listen to your body. No one but you can identify all the factors that trigger a psoriasis exacerbation and find remedies that will work well on your plaques.
2. It is recommended to carry out self-treatment under the supervision of a dermatologist. Do not give up tests, procedures and medications prescribed by a specialist.
3. With a mild form of psoriasis, good results can be achieved by eliminating provoking factors and using non-drug treatments, including folk remedies. If the manifestations of the disease are severe and psoriasis progresses, "heavy artillery" in the form of hormones and cytostatics may be required, strictly according to the doctor's prescription.
4. Consistency and regularity are important in the treatment of psoriasis. You cannot stop using effective remedies when the first results appear. Most drugs require a long course, first therapeutic, then - "fixing".
5. It is important to maintain normal skin moisture, avoid scratches, trauma and inaccurate removal of scabs. Plaques can only be removed after preliminary softening and only if it can be done effortlessly.
6. Many treatments cannot be used during the acute phase. Insolation, climate changes, spa procedures, some ointments should be applied only with the onset of the stationary phase.

Treatment of psoriasis: how to spread the plaques?

The most popular and effective treatments for psoriasis on the skin are pharmaceutical ointments and creams. Many of the topical preparations have serious side effects and should be used with caution. This is especially true of hormonal ointments, but on the issue of non-hormonal 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 do not respond to other therapeutic influences. The benefits of these drugs work quickly. The patient's condition is literally improving before our eyes, but this effect is deceiving. After discontinuing use, the plaques not only return, but 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 drugs "drive" psoriasis in the body and the disease manifests itself in a more severe form: psoriatic arthritis.

The effects of addiction and withdrawal make hormonal ointments an unwanted treatment. If possible, it is recommended to avoid its use. If necessary, use for a short time, gradually cancel.

Today, several groups of drugs are prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis:

1. Triamcinolone ointments.They have an antihistamine, antipruritic effect, relieve inflammation. They can cause local reactions, changes in the structure of the skin, atrophy.
2. Products with the active substance flumethasone.Reduces itching, has an anti-exudative effect. Negatively affects the skin, over time it can cause systemic disorders.
3. Hydrocortisone ointments.Reduces capillary permeability, relieves swelling of the affected foci, but with prolonged use there is a risk of systemic disorders.
4. Preparations based on betamethasone.They have anti-inflammatory and anti-exudative effects. Suppress 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 act quickly and strongly like hormones, but their effect is more persistent and lasting. Non-steroidal 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 which are combined with each other. The main groups of applied ointments:

1. Salicylic.The acid contained in them softens the plaques and helps clean the skin. Reduces inflammation, acts as an antiseptic. Remedies are usually prescribed to get rid of the scales, then the affected area is treated with another remedy with medicinal ingredients.
2. Zinc.Dry rashes, relieve inflammation and irritation of the skin, create a protective film that prevents negative effects on the affected areas from the outside.
3. 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 get rid of plaque, you can add pure tar when creating your remedies. Ointments with tar can be poorly tolerated, so they begin to smear them on small areas in test mode. With good tolerance, the dosage is increased. Tar increases the photosensitivity of the skin, which can lead to sun allergies in the summer.
4. Ointments fortified with vitamin D.Preparations based on calcipotriol have been shown to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis. They suppress proliferation, reduce plaque and prevent its reappearance. Do not cause atrophic processes. If there is an effect, they provide a stable remission. It is recommended to use it in tandem with UV therapy, the combination with salicylic ointments is contraindicated.
5. Oil-based ointments.Exfoliates plaque, relieves itching and inflammation, but requires careful use. With increased sensitivity, it can lead to 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 phase of exacerbation.
6. Vitamins.Vitamin ointments activate the metabolic processes of the skin, restore tissue trophism, promote regeneration, eliminate peeling, slow down cell keratinization. Retinoids and preparations based on the tandem of vitamins E, A have such properties.
7. 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 ones 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.

1. During an exacerbation, it is proved that antihistamines help relieve itching, eliminate the influence of provoking factors. In addition to the antiallergic effect, drugs have a sedative effect.
2. Detoxification of the body is carried out with the help of sorbents.
3. The use of enzymes to improve digestion is recommended.
4. In psoriasis, liver support is important: hepatoprotectors are followed in a course.
5. "Psoriasis" must be calm. Stress is one of the factors that trigger psoriasis. The disease itself, in turn, can lead to neurological problems: nervousness, insomnia, and so on. Herbal sedatives are recommended.
6. NSAIDs can help relieve joint pain in psoriasis.

The appearance of an outbreak of infection in the body can cause an exacerbation of psoriasis. Acute infectious and inflammatory diseases must be treated with antibiotics, as prescribed by a doctor.

How to treat scalp psoriasis at home: features

ICH psoriasis is the most problematic for patients. It is more difficult to treat it than with 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 shampoos, pharmaceuticals and alternative methods. Skin lesions can be mild, in the form of separate spots or severe. In difficult cases, the head is covered with the so-called "crown" or "helmet" - a hard, itchy, scaly psoriatic crust, mainly along the edge of the hair growth on the forehead, behind the ears, on the neck.

In no case should you comb and "collect" dry scabs. They need to be softened with a special keratolytic shampoo, a cleansing mask, and then gently remove the scales from the skin.

Wash your hair for psoriasis 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 from fragrances, dyes and other harmful ingredients.

From medicated shampoos you can use:

1. Tar.These products contain coal tar, which gives them a dark color and a specific smell. These shampoos are not well tolerated, so a test is needed. Medicinal cosmetics are sold in pharmacies.
2. 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 relieve dry skin and heal damage faster. Some remedies are designed to treat dandruff, but they can be used for milder psoriasis.
3. Antifungal.Ketoconazole shampoos reduce flaking and itching and destroy fungal infections on the scalp.

In psoriasis, it is recommended not to rinse off the shampoo immediately, but to keep it for a few minutes to several hours, so that the medicinal substances can penetrate deeper. The head should be washed gently without scratching the skin. After thoroughly rinsing off the shampoo, rinse with cold water acidified with vinegar. Avoid using a hairdryer.

Regular ointments are not suitable for lubricating plaque on the head. They are too greasy, sticky and don't wash well. It is better to buy drugs in the form of a cream, lotion, emulsion or aerosol - many manufacturers produce their products in a convenient form 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: basic (olive, burdock) and essential (tea tree, rosemary, cypress), wear a hat and leave until morning;
• make a white or red clay paste with the addition of oils, spread on the head at night;
• rub the fresh onion juice on the peel;
• rinse with a decoction of nettle, chamomile;
• mix grapes, almonds and coconut oil in a ratio 1: 1: 2 (in spoons), add 1 tsp. cognac and honey, a few drops of lavender oil, mix well in a water bath, apply on the head for 2 hours;
• Exfoliate the scalp with sea salt with essential oil (eucalyptus, tea tree) - gently massage with your fingertips for 5 minutes, then wash your hair;
• prepare a mask: burdock oil, 2 egg yolks, alcoholic tincture of marigolds, a few drops of tar and keep it on your head for 2 - 3 hours.

Home treatment for nail psoriasis

When psoriasis affects the nails, they become brittle, wavy and change color. Such nails should be protected from external influences:

• doing homework with gloves;
• abandons manicure for finishing;
• cuts the nails immediately after immersing them in water;
• uses protective healing varnish.

Home treatment for nail psoriasis includes:

1. Reception of vitamin and mineral complexes that strengthen the nail plate, protect cell membranes from damage (vitamins C, E, calcium).
2. Hormonal ointments are most effective for nail treatment. When glucocorticosteroids are rubbed into the nail plate, they are practically not absorbed by the skin and do not penetrate the bloodstream, so their use is safe for 2-4 weeks.
3. To strengthen and moisturize the nails, you need to rub sea buckthorn oil daily (3 times a day) and vitamin A oil.
4. For whitening and strengthening nails, warm baths with cornstarch or oat flour, infusion of celandine, nettle, twine are recommended.

Home remedies to treat psoriasis

Herbal infusions are one of the most popular home treatments for psoriasis:

1. Prepare 1 tablespoon in a thermos overnight. L. flax seeds (per glass of water). Before going to bed, drink 2 tablets of activated carbon, 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.
2. Broth from the collection: elecampane 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 for 3 hours. Filter, take 100 ml 2 times a day.
3. 4 st. L. boil the seeds of a plow in a liter of water over low heat for 60 minutes. Filter and drink every hour on a spoon with an exacerbation, 4 times a day - in remission.
4. Birch mushrooms (100 gr. ) Prepare with hot water overnight. In the morning, grind the chaga and pour the remaining water heated to 50 degrees, leave for three days. Filter, take 100ml before each meal.

Effectively cleanses the skin of plaques, relieves itching and soothes baths:

• with decoctions of sage, twine, celandine, St. John's wort;
• with sea salt;
• with blue clay;
• with sodium bicarbonate
• with potato starch;
• with turpentine.

Before bathing, take a shower, then pour water at a comfortable (not hot) temperature, dilute the medicinal composition. Bath time - 15-20 minutes, course - every other day.

To lubricate the plaques, you can use fresh celandine juice or prepare an ointment: mix dry ground grass with petroleum jelly or baby cream.

A well-proven buttercream (5 parts) with propolis (1 part). Put in a water bath, mix well and cool. Lubricate the plaque 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 stick to a diet, at least during an exacerbation:

• excludes cocoa, chocolate;
• refuses coffee;
• do not eat spicy foods;
• avoid preservatives and other additives;
• limit citrus, red vegetables and fruits;
• completely prohibited alcohol (especially beer).

Outside of exacerbations, the diet can be expanded with "harmful" products, but at the same time carefully monitor the reaction of the skin.

Through diet, a healthy lifestyle and home remedies for psoriasis, it is possible to achieve long-term remission. But if folk remedies obviously do not help, then you should "surrender" to the dermatologist and not give up on the procedures and drugs he offers. Having relieved the exacerbation with the help of official medicine at home, it will be easier to engage in the prevention of relapses.