Different forms of psoriasis:
Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the most
common type of psoriasis usually involves the
limbs, back and scalp. Skin lesions are red at
the base and covered by silvery scales.
Lesions are well demarcated and
vary greatly in number, size and shape.
Sometimes only a small area is affected without
any obvious change over a long period; sometimes
the whole body is affected.
If it affects scalp, red rashes
covered by silver scaly “dandruff” appear with
intensive itch.
It may also affect the finger and
toe nails with pitting, distal separation from
the nail bed, and discoloration.
Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis is
characterized by sudden onset of numerous Small,
drop-shaped lesions appear on the trunk, limbs,
and scalp. It occurs most frequently in
adolescents and young adults. It is most often
triggered by upper respiratory infections (for
example, a sore throat caused by streptococcal
bacteria).
Lesion become larger after the
acute phase and may develop into chronic plaque
psoriasis
Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis is a rare
condition usually only seen in late middle or
old ages. It manifests as blisters of
noninfectious pus appear on the skin. Localized
pustular psoriasis is limited to the palms and
soles covered by numerous pustules.
Attacks of pustular psoriasis may
be triggered by medications, infections, stress,
or exposure to certain chemicals.
Inverse Psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis usually affects
older people, women more than men. Lesions
usually occur in the folds of the skin near the
genitals, under the breasts, or in the armpits
manifested as smooth red, glistening plaque
without scaling.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis is a rare
and severe condition occurs up to about 2
percent of cases of chronic psoriasis. There is
generalized intense inflammation with red skin
accompanied by scales peeling off from the
lesion.
Widespread reddening and scaling
of the skin may be a reaction to severe sunburn
or to taking corticosteroids (cortisone) or
other medications. It can also be caused by a
prolonged period of increased activity of
psoriasis that is poorly controlled.
This condition tends to persist
for years and is difficult to be controlled.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis occurs in up
to 5 percent of psoriasis cases, with a higher
incidence occurring in cold weather.
Various patterns of joint
involvement may be seen. It affects both large
and small joints, especially the small joints of
the fingers. Symptoms include pain, swelling,
and rigidity or deformity of the joints.
What cause psoriasis?
Many factors may trigger the
attack in a susceptible individual, although the
exact cause of psoriasis is not known. These can
include stress; illness; bacterial infection; an
imbalance of hormones; toxic substances; and
improper diet. But the most common cause is
hereditary.
What’s the conventional
medical treatment for psoriasis?
Most medical treatments for
mild to moderate psoriasis are dependent upon
locally applied topical creams. These
medications include:
- Emollients and
Lubricants.
- Steroidal Creams.
- Coal Tar Preparations.
- Dithranol.
- Vitamin D Analogues.
- Vitamin A
Analogues.
For moderate to severe
psoriasis, the focus is to control the symptoms
and to prevent secondary infection. These
medications include:
- Utraviolet B Light (UVB).
- PUVA therapy.
- An oral or injected
immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory
medication, such as methotrexate,
corticosteroids, or cyclosporine.
- Oral vitamin-A-derived
antipsoriatic medications ( Tegison and
Accutane ).
What is the Traditional
Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
has been practiced for more than 2,000 years in
Asia. It is a very old, but vital health and
healing system based on harmony or balance. Like
most traditional medicine, TCM developed mainly
through clinical observation, so it is
empirically based. The system uses unique
diagnostic and therapeutic methods, such as
tongue diagnosis, pulse reading, herbal
formulas, and acupuncture to treat patients
holistically.
Over the centuries, TCM has
continued to evolve, most recently with
scientifically conducted clinical trials and
pharmacological studies of herbal preparations.
Therefore, this complete, well-documented
medical system can be briefly described in three
words: ancient, comprehensive, and scientific.
How does the Chinese Herbal
Medicine work on the psoriasis?
What one sees on the outside
is the physical evidence of something happening
inside the body. Based on this principle of TCM,
we may consider the main causes of the psoriasis
to be the blood toxins and blood stagnation.
The toxic substances may come
from poor elimination, improper diet, stress, or
hereditary factors. They seep through the
intestinal wall, enter the lymphatic system and
invade the blood stream, spread all over the
body. Sooner or later the accumulation of toxins
will block the circulation and immune system,
causing the blood to stagnate.
Therefore, our special herbal
remedies are designed to eliminate the toxins in
the blood, stimulate the blood circulation,
expel the blood stasis to control the skin
inflammation.
What’s the nutrition for
psoriasis?
Vitamins and minerals
contribute to good health by regulating
metabolism and helping the body release energy
from the food you eat. The vitamins and minerals
that might help with psoriasis are vitamins A
with D, as well as the B vitamins.
Fish oil
contains lots of omega-3 EFAs. It
can improve the condition of skin and nails and
reduce the inflammation of cells. Good sources
of fish oil include salmon, mackerel, menhaden,
herring, and sardines.
Evening
primrose oil has the
highest amount of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) of
any food substance. It relieves inflammation,
stimulates protein synthesis, repairs, and
improves dry flaky skin condition.
Zinc helps your body to
heal. It is necessary for the proper growth of
the skin, hair, and nails. It is the most
critical nutrient for a healthy immune system.
Psoriasis has been associated with zinc
deficiency in research studies.
What kind of food you should
avoid?
The food you eat can make you
healthier or less healthy; it can strengthen or
weaken you. Watching your diet is very important
for you. Some food may trigger your psoriasis,
or may aggravate your condition. These foods
include alcohol, coffee, spicy food, citrus
fruits, and red meats.