Home Remedies for Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin disease that is characterized by dry, scaly, and silvery patches, which often feel itchy and painful. These patches appear as a result of rapid build-up of dead skin cells on the skin surface, and the skin starts to look like dry scales. The size of psoriasis-affected area can be as small as a few random spots on the skin or as large as the entire skin surface. There are several varieties of psoriasis besides the common plaque psoriasis – some types of psoriasis can also affect your nails and scalp. Psoriasis is a stubborn disease and it usually follows an irregular cycle. It flares up and stays for weeks and months before diminishing on its own. However, it resurfaces after an indefinite dormant period. Therefore, it becomes quite difficult to understand whether treatment is effective and the condition has been cured or not. Although there are no definite causes identified for psoriasis, a faulty immune system is thought to be the main reason behind it. Due to this faulty immune system, T cells in the blood, which are supposed to fight off bacterial and viral infections, start attacking healthy skin cells instead. Besides a malfunctioning immune system, alcohol abuse, smoking, certain drugs, and dry skin conditions may also trigger psoriasis.
To treat psoriasis, it is most important to follow proper hygiene and skin care. Wash your skin regularly with mild soap to keep it clean. Wipe your skin dry with a clean towel after every wash. Apply moisturizing cream immediately after this, so that the skin does not dry up completely. It is even better if you apply moisturizing lotions on your skin before you sleep, and leave them overnight.
There are also some home remedies that can help you deal with psoriasis more effectively. Epsom salt baths are a known remedy for psoriasis and other skin diseases. Mix a spoonful of Epsom salt in a bucketful of warm water and take a bath with this. Apply a moisturizing lotion or oil on your skin after the bath. You can also apply an aloe vera gel and garlic oil mixture on your skin, but you will have to apply this preferably before bathing. Drinking a mixture of bitter gourd juice and lemon juice on empty stomach is another remedy for psoriasis.
Do also remove the scales of dead skin regularly so that there’s no excessive build-up. However, be careful to remove them with care so that you do not injure your skin beneath the scales. Preferably, apply some softening agent (like salicylic acid) before you start removing the scales of dead skin.
