Psoriasis Explained with Homeopathy

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that is characterized by an unpredictable course of remission and relapse. These are presence at typical sites of well-defined erythematous papules and plaques, which are usually covered with large, silvery loose scales.

Psoriasis is a condition in which skin cells build up and form scales with itchy, dry patches. It is a autoimmune disorder but now many clear causative factors are diagnosed which are responsible for this condition.

EPIDEMIOLOGY: –

1.  PREVALENCE: – Roughly 1% of population is affected but less than half requires aggressive treatmrnt.
2. AGE: – Though it can occur at any age but mostly common in early adulthood and old age.
3. SEX: – It affect both the sex equally.
4. SEASON: – Most patients are worse in winters.

COMMONLY SITES AFFECTED:- They may develop anywhere on the body, but most commonly affects :

• Hands
• Feet
• Neck
• Scalp
• Face
• Areas like nails, mouth, genitals are also affected but rarely.

 What Causes Psoriasis?

No one knows the precise cause of psoriasis, but experts believe that it’s a mixture of various factors. It is an autoimmune disorder, thus genetic factor plays a major role in its occurance. Immune system that provides protection against infection is disturbed here. Normally, skin cells are replaced every 10 to 30 days. But in psoriasis, new cells grow every 3 to 4 days. The buildup of old cells being replaced by new ones creates those silver scales. Psoriasis tends to run in families, but it may be skip generations.

Certain trigger are responsible which may flare up the cycle. Such factors include: –

• Cuts, scrapes, or surgery
• Emotional stress
• Streptococcal infections
• Medications, including Blood pressure medications (like beta-blockers)
• Hydroxychloroquine, antimalarial medication

TYPES OF PSORIASIS: – Several types of psoriasis are seen. Some common types are as follows: –

• PLAQUE PSORIASIS

This is the most common type of psoriasis also known as Psoriasis vulgaris. The primary lesion is a mildly itchy plaque or papule which is well demarcated, discoid, indurated and erythematous that cover areas of the skin. These lesions are often covered silvery, white, loose, lamellar scales. These plaques are commonly favors pressure point like elbows, knees, and scalp. Om trunk, lumbosacral region, back and periumbilical areas are common sites of involvement.

• GUTTATE PSORIASIS

It mainly occurs in children and adolescents. It may be precipitated by streptococcal tonsillitis. Lesions appear in several crops of small erythematous papules which either get clear in few weeks or evolve into plaque psoriasis. The predominant affecting site is trunk.

• INVERSE PSORIASIS

This mainly affects the skin folds of the groin, buttocks and breasts. The lesions are well defined of salmon pink color that worsen with friction and sweating. It needs to be differentiated from candidal intertrigo.

• PUSTULAR PSORIASIS

This rare form of psoriasis causes clearly defined pus-filled lesions that occur in widespread patches (generalized pustular psoriasis) or in smaller areas on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet.

• ERYTHRODERMIC PSORIASIS

It is a severe and very rare form which causes fiery redness of the skin and shedding of scales in sheets. It’s triggered by severe sunburn, infections, irritant effect of topical therapy, withdrawal of topical/systemic steroids used for the treatment of psoriasis. Psoriatic plaques lose their definition and merge. Skin becomes uniformly red with marked scaling with generalized involvement.

• PALMOPLANTAR PSORIASIS

In this form of psoriasis, palms and soles are involved. Usually, bilateral involvement is seen. Symmetrical, well defined, erythematous thickened plaques are present.

• NAIL PSORIASIS

It produces yellow pitted nails that can be confused with nail fungus.

• SCALP PSORIASIS

Sharply defined indurated plaques are seen. Scaling may be massive especially on the occiput and may spill onto the forehead and nape of neck. It can be severe enough to produce localized hair loss, plenty of dandruff and severe itching.

SYMPTOMS OF PSORIASIS

Psoriasis symptoms differ from person to person and depend upon the sort of psoriasis. Areas of psoriasis are often as small as a couple of flakes on the scalp or elbow, or cover the bulk of the body.

The most common symptoms of psoriasis include:

• There will be red, raised, inflamed patches of skin
• whitish-silver scales or plaques on the red patches can be seen
• dry skin which will crack and bleed
• soreness around patches
• itching and burning sensations around patches
• Nail changes like pitting, nail plate thickening, discoloration of nail plate can be seen.

BIOLOGICAL CONFLICT OR THOUGHT PROCESS ASSOCIATED WITH PSORIASIS

Skin is a soft tissue reflecting our attitudes, behaviors, experiences and hidden mental problem. It has to do with- how we expect others see us and the way we see ourselves. Irritation and criticism with ourselves may end in our skin breaking out, expressing our inner state of confusion. You don’t feel recognized or acknowledged for who you actually are and suffer from a degree of identity disorder wanting to take on a personality other than your own. FEAR OF BEING HURT is the core feeling within the person affected by psoriasis. Person refuses to accept responsibility for own feeling.

Skin disease happen due to SEPERATION from the INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP, not just physically but also on mental level. Psoriasis is an auto immune disease which means THAT HER OWN BODY IS NOT RECOGNIZING THAT BY MULTIPLYING ON A HIGHER RATE, ITS HER ONLY WHO IS GOING TO SUFFER AT THE END.

Psoriasis is an indication that you are uncomfortable in your own skin and have a desire to turn over a new life. It is mainly a disease of dermis with its manifestations on the epidermis. The conflict associated with dermis is ATTACK CONFLICT. ‘FEAR OF GETTING HURT OR HAS BEEN HURT OR ATTACKED. This attack can be experienced in various ways. These attacks can be in form of physical attack, verbal attack or any foreign invasion to the body parts.

Physical attack is when there’s an attack by an individual or by an animal or through a hit or blow against the body or against the head, which can be seen in case of sports, during a fight or in an accident.

When there is a situation of being yelled at, scolding, assaulted or threatened with sharp and aggressive words with an intention to insult one’s intelligence, sexist remarks, sexual accusations, being criticized in a hostile manner, discrimination, defamation all are forms of Verbal attack.

In medical procedures like surgery when there is a cut on a person’s body with scalpel, needle biopsy, injections, vaccinations as well as stabbing or piercing also considered as a form of attack.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR PSORIASIS:-

Homeopathy as a holistic system of medicine believes in a man as a whole concept. It not only treat the symptoms but look the person as a whole. Homeopathy offers a wide number of medicines for the treatment of psoriasis with a promising result. Some of the well-known remedies are discussed below.

• Sulphur

It has an elective affinity for skin, where it produces heat and burning with itching which is worse by heat of bed. Dry, scaly, unhealthy skin, every little injury suppurates. Freckles. Itching and burning worse from scratching and washing. Pimply eruptions, pustules, rhagades, hang nails. Excoriation especially in folds. Skin affections after local medications. Pruritus which aggravates from warmth, in the evening and often recurs in springtime, in damp weather.

• Arsenicum album

Excellent psoriasis remedy in which psoriasis worse by cold applicationand wetness and better by warmth. Itching, burning, swelling, edema. Papular eruptions with dry, rough scaly skin worse from cold and scratching. Malignant pustules. Ulcers with an offensive discharge. Anthrax.  Urticaria with burning and restlessness. Gangrenous inflammation.

• Arsenicum Iodatum

Dry, scaly, itchy skin. Marked exfoliation of skin in the form of large scales, leaving a raw exuding surface beneath. Enlarged scrofulous glands. Eczema of the beard, watery oozing, itching worse from washing. Psoriasis. Acne hard shotty with an indurated base and pustule at the apex.

• Kali Bromatum

Remarkable psoriasis remedy in which there is syphilitic psoriasis. Skin cold, blue, spotted, corrugated, large, indolent, painful pustules.

• Kali arsenicum

It is a very well proved psoriasis remedy with patches on back, arms and spreading from elbows, scaly itch, scaling off leaves behind red skin.

• Thyroidinum

One of the best psoriasis remedies for chilly and anemic subjects. Dry impoverished skin. Cold hands and feet.

• Radium Brom

Psoriasis of penis. Itching eruptions on face oozing. Patchy erythema on forehead.

REFERANCES: –

1. Illustrated synopsis of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 6^th edition, Neena Khanna
2. www.webmed.com
3. German New Medicine, Psoriasis
4. Boericke’s New Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica with Repertory, William Boericke.

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