Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder considered to be an auto-immune disease. It means the immune system starts harming the body instead of protecting it. Immune system and genetics have major roles in its development. In patients with psoriasis, the immune system is mistakenly activated which results in a faster growth cycle of skin cells. Normally, the skin goes through constant renewal by shedding the dead outer layer of skin cells while new skin cells are made underneath. Skin cells mature and decrease the quality of the skin in about three to four weeks of duration. However, psoriasis skin cells only take three to four days to go through this cycle. Instead of your skin falling off, you can observe a gradual pile up of the cells and become thick, red, scaly patches. Psoriasis causes the skin to develop scaly patches that are sometimes silvery or reddish and can feel itchy and painful. The patches can come and go over the period of a few days to over a month.
Psoriasis can cause symptoms of low self-esteem, anxiety and mental stress. Depression is common in people who have psoriasis. Children who are suffering from psoriasis generally become obese, get affected by diabetes (high blood sugar), high cholesterol, and heart disease later in life. It is vital to maintain a healthy weight by consuming a balanced diet and staying active.
There are different types of psoriasis, and there can be a possibility to have more than one type.
Some common symptoms of psoriasis include:
The symptoms of psoriasis also differ on the basis of type. There are five common types of psoriasis:
Psoriasis has its sub-types appearing differently depending on the location of the body. It is not contagious regardless of type
There are different types of psoriasis that display different symptoms. While there's said to be no cure for psoriasis, treatment can help relieve and manage your symptoms. Most of the population believes that psoriasis is infectious, but usually doesn't spread from one individual to another. Possible treatments range from topical creams, shampoos, and ointments to UV light therapy and systemic medications in more severe cases. However, Panchakarma is one way of medication that could work. This ayurvedic therapy, which typically involves daily massages and oil baths, herbal enemas, nasal administrations, is believed to treat such skin problems. It is a very pleasurable and rejuvenating experience for both the body and the mind.
Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma as a traditional treatment for maintaining a good hygiene along with mental balance. The main reason for this treatment is to develop the blood circulation and clean the skin of impurities. Swedana is a steam bath, in which the head and the heart are kept cool while the body is heated systematically to remove the physical toxins accumulated deep within the tissues. Pizichili is the most famous form involving a continuous stream of warm herbalized oil poured over the body and massaged in perfect unison. There are no side effects. Initially, after the treatment, the body may experience a temperature rise and sudden fever but this is a natural phenomenon implying the body's way of getting rid of the toxins. Few individuals can even experience cold for few days as the herbs, and the oil used can cool the body. However, these symptoms are very much temporary and heal within a few days.
The results of the treatment are not permanent. It depends on a lot of factors like lifestyle, nature of the work, diet, etc. It is best recommended to have these treatments once or twice a year for larger benefits. Its success depends on how much you change your lifestyle and your dietary habits. Most of the treatment channel panchakarma and create the base for all type of therapy methods. Due to this, the treatment is widely popular all over the globe. You can also visit some Ayurvedic centers to know about the treatment using Panchakarma. Also, you can go through several blogs or articles to know how the treatment of Panchakarma is conducted and how it helps your body to recover from the disease.
There is no known cure for psoriasis, as of now. However, you can control this medical condition through proper medication. Moreover, some latest drugs and therapies help in controlling psoriasis even better than before.
Some of the foods which may trigger or worsen this medical condition include dairy products, red meat particularly beef, eggs, gluten, alcohol, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and processed foods. You should avoid all this food if you are suffering from psoriasis.
Diet is very important while curing disease and thus, it is important to eat healthy foods. Moreover, avoid alcohol and smoking, avoid stress, sleep well, use lotion on your skin, protect your skin from sunburns, and try to avoid cuts from any material.
Yes, psoriasis can affect the brain indirectly. In this medical condition, the immune cells in the body produce a substance called cytokines which triggers psoriasis and spreads it. This process may change the chemical level in the patient, which may cause moods in the patient.
There is no cure available for psoriasis currently. However, you can stop it from spreading. You can stop it from spreading through some latest drugs and therapies which are proved to be helpful in this medical condition.