Psoriasis - World Class Holistic Homeopathy Treatment
SKIN – Psoriasis
The name of the disease is derived from the Greek word ‘psora’ which means
‘itch’. In ancient Hahnemanian days, diseases were categorised into three
miasms – psora, syphilis and sycosis. They called itch and functional diseases
as psora; complicated, destructive and veneral diseases as syphilis; and fig
wart and tumourous diseases as sycosis. Syphilis and sycosis usually arise
complicating the initial psora. Psoriasis is one of the most maltreated
diseases from olden days, which continues now with the search of a good
remedy.
Psoriasis is a non-contagious, dry, inflammatory, ugly skin disorder, which
can involve the entire system of a person. This disease is chronic in nature
with a tendency to relapse. It is mostly inherited. In this disease, the skin
keeps scaling as flakes, due to rapid, excessive multiplication of the
epidermis cells which look like fishy skin ( plaques – thick accumulation of
silvery, scaly skins) and finally peels off as exfoliation. The silvery plaques
are caused by accelerated regeneration of skin due to a rapid destructive
process. It will not spread from one person to another by contact, but can be
transmitted genetically (25 per cent).
Incidence
Psoriasis occurs most commonly in the third decade of life. It has higher
incidence in females
than males. Children are rarely affected. Whites
suffer more than blacks. It can occur in single or multiple spots. It is often
found to be persistent without any spread in case of single area involvement
(tip of fingers, elbows, etc), whereas it spreads rapidly in case of multiple
spots occurrences. It usually has a familial trait. Psoriasis most commonly
occurs on the extensor aspect, i.e. elbows, knees & lower back. The other
common places are scalp, tips of fingers or toes, palms, soles, umbilicus, gluteus,
under the breasts aand genitals. Nearly 30 per cent of psoriasis patients have
arthritis problems.
Causes
The causes remain unknown. It is
supposed to be an auto immune disorder which is inherited. The occurrences
are more common in winter and better in the warm climates. The complaint is
also seen to be aggravated after depression, worries, excessive sweating, hot
sun, periods, full moon or new moon phases, drugs, fever, etc. Sometimes food
can also trigger the disease process. For example – citrus fruits, sour foods,
sauces, coffee, tea, alcohol and soft drinks.
Symptoms
May vary, depending upon the type and intensity of the psoriasis. The main
symptoms are skin symptoms, but other symptoms like joint pains, problem
involving the heart can also occur. Symptoms of psoriasis can shine and wane
any time and rebound any time with variation in intensity and remission
periods. However, in most cases, psoriasis is persistent and occurs
symmetrically denoting its systemic origin.
The common symptoms are
·
Dryness of skin
·
Intense itching which leads to scratching
·
Cracks in skin
·
Burning of skin
·
Macules, papules and pustules in the skin
·
Adherent silvery scales – when peeled off shows red skin
·
Yellow or discoloured pitted nails
·
Pustular blisters
·
Joint pains with inflammation and swelling
Sometimes spondylosis, gout, renal stones, abdominal disorders
Types
Depending upon the place of involvement and type of symptoms, psoriasis has
been classified as following types. Plaque psoriasis – is the commonest
psoriasis named after the characteristic occurrence of plaque as crusts. The
removal of plaque will expose raw inflamed skin.
·
Psoriatic arthritis – psoriasis accompanied by joint pain
·
Pustular psoriasis – psoriasis with pustular blisters
·
Guttate psoriasis – multiple dotted occurrence of
psoriasis
·
Flexural psoriasis – smooth inflamed psoriasis in folds
of skin without scaling
Erythrodermic psoriasis – severe form of psoriasis with terrible itching
and redness
Diagnosis
It is made easily by clinical examination. Usually no tests are required to
diagnose psoriasis, but to rule out other complications, blood tests, urine
test and imaging studies are often performed. Sometimes biopsy may be necessary
to differentiate it from fungal infections. Blood tests are done for total
count, differential count, ESR, RA factor, ASO titre, Serum uric acid level,
T-cells, etc. Leucocytosis and increased T-cell lymphocytes are often noted.
The microscopic examination of the discharges or blister fluid shows only
lymphocytes infiltration. Imaging studies like X-ray or bone scan can help in
diagnosing the case with joint pain. Psoriasis is often confused with diaper
dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis and fungal infection of skin and nails.
Complications
Psoriasis usually grows worse with suppressing steroid drugs. So never use
steroid drugs. The entire outburst may reflect inwards to involve every part of
the body when suppressed. Usually, everyone knows diabetes can affect every
part of the body except hair, teeth and nails. But psoriasis can affect these
too. In the case of nail being affected, it may end up in loss of nails. If
treatment is followed with patience, then psoriasis will remain only a skin
disorder and make life with the disease better. The anxiety of the sufferer
also makes his/her health deteriorate further. Anxiety, stress will make
psoriasis worse. Be happy so you can live better without complications.
In neglected or maltreatment cases, psoriasis can involve joints, liver,
kidneys, bones, etc. Sometimes the raw skin surface, which peels off, attracts
infection with scratching, which may lead to painful blisters. Other than
disease complications, drug diseases or complications on using steroids also
occur in many cases with ulcer, cirrhosis, kidney failures, neutropaenia,
neoplasia, etc. Many patients try out drugs even without the doctor’s advice.
Drug cocktails can be harmful. Also, the disease grows worse with wrong drugs.
Prevention
Diet cures better than a doctor. To overcome the tide of suffering, avoid
aggravating factors:
Say ‘NO’ to smoking, alcohol, fast foods, sour foods & hot sun
DON’T scratch or peel to avoid infection
AVOID stress and unnecessary medicines
GO with Nature in your style of living and eating food
USE moisturiser or liquid paraffin to avoid dryness of skin.
General treatment
There is no known specific treatment for psoriasis. The drug most effective
in one case may be totally ineffective in another i.e., no drug is capable of
smart work in every case. Also, since most of oral drugs are hepato (liver)
toxic, everyone concentrates on a variety of external applications like
petroleum jelly, liquid paraffin, tar ointment, psoralen (photosensitive drug),
salicylic acid, steroid ointment, etc., to care for skin dryness and infection.
UV rays are also often used to control psoriasis. In a good number of cases, a
moisturiser itself will help. But in cases of a progressive disease, internal
drugs may be needed. The rebound of complaints is often noticed in stoppage of
external applications or internal drugs. Psychological support must be given
explaining the possibility of living better with psoriasis with hope.
Recurrences and remissions are very common in the treatment of psoriasis as
every tide has its ebb. Nobody can claim complete cure, since it can recur
after 5-6 years or even more than that. So everyone must be prepared for a
longer remission period. No system can calm all the cases, as ‘No one can
please everybody’.
Homeopathic approach
Fearing spread of psoriasis will kill more than the disease. The
greatest joy for psoriasis patients is the disappearance of the rashes. The
disappearance of the itch/scaly skin itself doesn’t mean the disease is waning,
i.e., skin rash can be easily made to disappear with steroidal external
applications which will usually mask the complaint. Likewise, suppressive
immune therapy with steroid drugs will also mask the complaint, but very
temporarily. Allopathic way of approach is usually against causative factor or
disease. In psoriasis, since the causative factor has not been identified, the
treatment is aimed at temporary management with medications and external
applications. But, Homeopathy treats the symptoms of patients, ratherthan the
diseases or its effects.
Excellent results for one patient may have very little or no effect in
another. This will make the patient feel frustrated, since he might have been
referred by a patient who got better by going to the same doctor or by using
the same medicines. It depends upon the patient’s symptom. Homeopathy improves
the general condition of the patient to create an environment which is not
favourable for the disease. Also in other systems, the medicine is selected to
stop proliferation of epidermis or infection. But Homeopathy aims at
saving/making the skin healthy so that there won’t be any need of production or
proliferation of skin cells. It means that, if there is a need, there will be
excessive production. If there is no need, automatically, excessive exfoliation
or scaling gets reduced.
Psoriasis is supposed to be a constitutional disease, so treating locally
with external applications will not give any long-lasting relief. The healing
secrets are treating the condition constitutionally, internally and generally.
Patience and gentleness have the greatest power of healing. An array of
medicines/applications will not cure the complaint if they are not selected
constitutionally. Betterment/cure may be surely claimed if the treatment is
started early or immediately after the complaint begins.
Homeopathic treatment should be followed for two winter seasons. Right
treatment means improvement in the physical and mental state. Unlike other
systems of medicines which are toxic during continuous usage, drugs used in
Homeopathy are safe and offer betterment by enhancing the energy to expel
psoriasis without any side-effects. Discover health and happiness with peace of
mind and proper treatment.
Homeopathic medicines commonly used in cases of psoriasis are Ars alb, Arg
Nit, Baryta mur, Corralium, Crab apple, Hydrocotyle, Kali ars, Kali Brom,
Lycopodium, Nat sulp, Phosphorus, Psoralea, Psorinum, Pulsatilla, Radium Brom,
Sulphur, Sulphur Iod, Syphilinum, Silicea, Thuja, Thyroidinum, Urtica urens,
etc. These Medicines should be taken under the advice and diagnosis of a
qualified Homeopath.
for
new hope
Dr. S.
Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)
Laxmi
Homeo Clinic
24 E.
New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai,
TN 625 001
India
Tel: +91-452-233-8833 | +91-984-319-1011
(Mob)
Fax:
+91-452-233-0196
E-mail:
drcheena@yahoo.com
www.drcheena.com / www.drcheena.in
(Disclaimer
- The contents of this column are for informational purpose only. The content
is not intended to be a substitute for professional healthcare advice,
diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of healthcare professional for
any health problem or medical condition.)