How to treat psoriasis at home

Psoriasis is one of the most misunderstood diseases. Neither the causes of this disease nor the ways in which it can be cured are known with certainty. It is believed that achieving a complete cure from psoriasis is impossible. Therefore, the main goal of therapy is to achieve stable long-term remission and reduce the frequency of exacerbations. Since this disease requires correction of diet, lifestyle, systematic use of drugs and non-pharmacological agents, psoriasis is treated mainly at home.

Causes and signs of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic pathology with a recurring course. The disease can affect various organs and tissues, but the main manifestations of psoriasis are dermatological. Red lesions are poured onto the skin, which tend to enlarge and join together. Its surface is covered with greyish scales that can be easily scraped off, revealing damp, shiny patches with spots of "bloody dew" underneath.

The most common sites for localization of psoriatic plaques are knees and elbows, scalp, behind the ears, and lower back. The rash is usually accompanied by itching, tightness, and discomfort in the affected areas.

The appearance of psoriasis is associated with stress, with a recent infectious disease, allergies and endocrine pathologies, but according to many experts, it is due to a genetic defect. Each of the above factors is just a "trigger" that sets off the mechanism of the body's abnormal response to external stimuli.

Due to the failure, the division process of epidermal cells is disturbed. The death and desquamation rate of surface cells increases by 4 to 5 times compared to the usual cycle. As a result, the scales that do not have time to peel off naturally form hard growth - plaques.

Rules for treating psoriasis at home

Treatment of psoriasis comprises two areas:

1. symptomatic- elimination of acute disease symptoms (external agents, antihistamines, physiotherapy);
2. pathogenetic:diet, desensitization of the body, cleaning measures, hormone therapy, etc.

In severe cases, treatment under inpatient conditions is indicated. It is possible to use serious hormonal drugs and basic therapy. In the rest of the time, the patient fights the disease independently and chooses the most effective methods by trial and error.

Psoriasis is a disease for which there is no single solution. Those remedies that are right for one patient can make the other worse. An individual approach is required more than ever, but there are general principles that should be followed to successfully treat psoriasis at home:

1. Listen to your body. No one but you can identify all the factors that cause psoriasis to worsen and find remedies that will work well on your plaques.
2. It is advisable to conduct self-treatment under the supervision of a dermatologist. Do not give up on tests, procedures and drugs prescribed by a specialist.
3. With a mild form of psoriasis, good results can be obtained by eliminating provoking factors and using non-drug treatments, including folk remedies. If the manifestations of the disease are severe and the psoriasis is progressing, "heavy artillery" in the form of hormones and cytostatics may be required, strictly according to the doctor's prescription.
4. Consistency and regularity are important when treating psoriasis. You cannot stop using effective means when the first results appear. Most drugs require a long course, first therapeutic, then - "fixative".
5. It is important to maintain normal skin moisture, avoid scratches, trauma and the careless removal of scabs. Plaques can only be cleaned after they have been softened and only if this is possible without effort.
6. Many treatments cannot be used during the acute phase. Sun exposure, climate change, spa procedures, some ointments should only be used with the onset of the stationary stage.

Treatment of psoriasis: how to smear plaques

The most popular and effective treatments for psoriasis on the skin are pharmaceutical ointments and creams. Many of the topical preparations have serious side effects and must be used with caution. This is especially true of hormonal ointments. However, with non-hormonal ointments, it is better to consult a doctor and strictly follow the recommendations for use.

Hormone ointments

Hormonal agents in the treatment of psoriasis are indicated if skin symptoms persist that do not respond to other therapeutic effects. The benefits of these drugs are quick acting. The patient's condition is literally improving before our eyes, but this effect is deceptive. After the use is finished, the plaques not only return, but become more intense. Hormonal ointments are addictive, and with prolonged use - damage to the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system, thinning and atrophy of the skin. There is also concern that hormone-based drugs will "drive" psoriasis into the body and that the disease will manifest itself in a more severe form - psoriatic arthritis.

Addiction and withdrawal effects make hormone ointments an undesirable treatment. If possible, it is recommended that you avoid using them. Use for a short time if necessary, cancel gradually.

Today several groups of drugs are prescribed in the treatment of psoriasis:

1. Triamcinolone ointments.They have an antihistamine, antipruritic effect and reduce inflammation. They can cause local reactions, changes in the structure of the skin and atrophy.
2. Products with the active ingredient flumethasone.Reduces itching and has an anti-exudative effect. Negative effects on the skin can cause systemic disorders over time.
3. Hydrocortisone ointments.Reduce capillary permeability, relieve the swelling of the affected foci, but with prolonged use there is a risk of systemic disorders.
4. Preparations based on betamethasone.They have an anti-inflammatory and exudative effect. Suppress the process of accelerated desquamation of epithelial cells. Skin diseases and systemic problems are possible.

Non-steroidal drugs

Non-hormonal ointments are the preferred treatment for psoriasis. They don't work as fast and as powerfully as hormones, but their effects are more lasting and persistent. Nonsteroidal ointments can be used for a long time without fear of addiction and the development of negative consequences.

Psoriasis uses drugs with different compositions and different effects, many of which are combined with each other. The main groups of the applied ointments:

1. salicylic acid.The acid in them softens plaques and helps cleanse the skin. Reduces inflammation, has an antiseptic effect. The remedies are usually prescribed to get rid of dandruff, and then the affected area is treated with another remedy with medicinal ingredients.
2. zinc.Dry rashes, relieve inflammation and skin irritation and form a protective film that prevents negative external effects on the affected areas.
3. tar.Ointments with the addition of birch, pine, coal tar have an anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effect. They stimulate blood circulation, improve the healing of damaged skin. To remove plaque, you can add pure tar if you make your own remedies. Ointments with tar can be poorly tolerated, so in the test mode they smear on small areas. If it is well tolerated, the dosage is increased. Tar increases the skin's sensitivity to light, which can lead to sun allergies in summer.
4. D-enriched ointments.Calcipotriol-based preparations have proven themselves in the treatment of psoriasis. They suppress proliferation, reduce plaque and prevent recurrence. They do not cause atrophic processes. If there is an effect, they ensure a stable remission. It is recommended to use it in conjunction with UV therapy. Combination with salicylic ointments is contraindicated.
5. Oil-based ointments.Exfoliate plaque, relieve itching and inflammation, but require careful application. With increased sensitivity, there may be a deterioration in the skin manifestations of psoriasis, furunculosis. These funds are contraindicated in patients with anemia and kidney disease. Treatment with these drugs occurs outside of the exacerbation stage.
6. vitamins.Ointments with vitamins activate metabolic processes in the skin, restore tissue trophism, promote regeneration, eliminate peeling and slow down the keratinization of cells. Retinoids and preparations based on the tandem of vitamins E, A have such properties.
7. Solid ointments.Effective active ingredients with pronounced anti-inflammatory, keratolytic and anti-itch effects. Penetrate deeply into the skin and normalize the metabolic processes in it. They are used for a long time without allergies. These ointments cannot be combined with hormonal ointments, and alcohol should be avoided during treatment.

Psoriasis: treatment from within

It is difficult to cope with the manifestations of psoriasis with external agents alone. It is also necessary to act from within: to desensitize, improve digestion.

1. During an exacerbation, antihistamines are shown that relieve itching and eliminate the influence of provoking factors. In addition to the antiallergic effect, the drugs have a calming effect.
2. The body is detoxified with the help of sorbents.
3. The use of enzymes is recommended to improve digestion.
4. Liver support is important in psoriasis: Hepatoprotectors are kept on track.
5. "Psoriasis" has to be calm. Stress is one of the factors that trigger psoriasis. The disease itself, in turn, can lead to neurological problems: nervousness, insomnia, and so on. Herbal sedatives are recommended.
6. NSAIDs can help relieve joint pain in psoriasis.

The appearance of a source of infection in the body can lead to exacerbation of psoriasis. Acute infectious and inflammatory diseases must be treated with antibiotics as prescribed by a doctor.

Treatment of psoriasis on the scalp at home: functions

ICH psoriasis is the most problematic for patients. It is more difficult to treat than open skin, since the presence of hair requires a special approach to therapy and the use of special funds.

Treatment of psoriasis on the head at home consists of the use of shampoos, pharmaceuticals and traditional methods. Skin lesions can be either mild, separate patches, or severe. In difficult cases, the head is covered by the so-called "crown" or "helmet" - a hard, itchy and scaly psoriatic scab, mainly along the hairline on the forehead, behind the ears, on the neck.

Under no circumstances should you comb and "pick" dry crusts. They need to be softened with a special keratolytic shampoo and a cleansing mask, and then loose flakes are carefully removed from the skin.

Wash your hair as often as necessary for psoriasis. It is preferable to use special or neutral shampoos. The second group includes products for children and adults for sensitive skin. They are free from fragrances, dyes, and other harmful ingredients.

From medicated shampoos, you can use:

1. tar.These products contain coal tar, which gives them a dark color and smell. These shampoos are not well tolerated, so a test is required. Medical cosmetics are sold in pharmacies.
2. zinc.They contain zinc pyrithione, which cleanses the scalp of dead dandruff and reduces their number, soothes itching. When allantoin, an emollient ingredient, is added to the shampoo it helps soothe dry skin and heals the damage faster. Some remedies are designed to treat dandruff, but can be used for milder psoriasis.
3. antifungal agent.Ketoconazole shampoos reduce dandruff and itchiness and eliminate fungal infections on the scalp.

In psoriasis, it is advisable not to wash off the shampoo immediately, but to keep it for a few minutes to several hours so that the medicine can penetrate deeper. The head should be washed gently without scratching the skin. After thoroughly rinsing off the shampoo, rinse off with cold water acidified with vinegar. Avoid using a hair dryer.

Normal ointments are not suitable for smearing plaque on the head. Your hair is too greasy, sticky and doesn't wash well. It is better to buy drugs in the form of a cream, lotion, emulsion, or aerosol - many manufacturers make their products in a form suitable for the treatment of ICH psoriasis.

Treatment of psoriasis on the head at home is successfully carried out with the help of folk remedies: masks and douches.

Popular recipes:

• To soften the crusts, rub a mixture of oils into the scalp: base (olive, burdock) and essential (tea tree, rosemary, cypress), put on a hat and leave it on until morningstand.
• make a paste of white or red clay with the addition of oils, which is spread over the head overnight;
• rub fresh onion juice into the skin;
Rinse
• with a stock of nettle and chamomile;
• Mix grape, almond and coconut oil in a ratio of 1: 1: 2 (in tablespoons), add 1 teaspoon. Cognac and honey, a few drops of lavender oil, mix thoroughly in a water bath, apply on the head for 2 hours;
• Exfoliate the scalp with sea salt with essential oil (eucalyptus, tea tree) - rub in and massage gently with fingertips for 5 minutes. Then wash your hair.
• Prepare a mask: burdock oil, 2 egg yolks, alcohol tincture from marigolds, a few drops of tar and keep it on your head for 2 - 3 hours.

Treatment of nail psoriasis at home

When psoriasis affects the nails, they become brittle, wavy, and change color. These nails should be protected from external influences:

• do homework with gloves on;
• give up trim manicure;
• cut short nails after soaking them in water;
• Use a protective healing varnish.

Home treatment for nail psoriasis includes:

1. Reception of vitamin and mineral complexes that strengthen the nail plate and protect the cell membranes from damage (vitamin C, E, calcium).
2. Hormonal ointments are most effective for nail treatment. When glucocorticosteroids are rubbed into the nail plate, they are practically not absorbed by the skin and do not enter the bloodstream, making them safe to use for 2 to 4 weeks.
3. To strengthen and moisturize the nails, sea buckthorn oil (three times a day) and vitamin A must be taken daily.
4. To lighten and strengthen nail plates, warm baths with corn starch or oatmeal, labia, nettle and string are recommended.

Home remedies for treating psoriasis

Herbal infusions are one of the most popular home treatments for psoriasis:

1. Brew 1 tbsp in a thermos overnight. l. Flaxseed (per glass of water). Before going to bed, drink 2 tablets of activated charcoal, take an infusion in the morning and eat the seeds. This recipe will help detoxify the body and reduce the intensity of the symptoms of the disease.
2. Broth from the collection: roots of Elecampane (10 g), calamus (12 g), St. John's wort (15 g) and celandine (5 g). Brew 300 ml of hot water in a thermos, let rest for 3 hours. Filter, take 100 ml twice a day.
3. 4 st. l. Boil the seeds of the plow in a liter of water over low heat for 60 minutes. Strain and drink every hour on a spoon with an exacerbation, 4 times a day - in remission.
4. Birch mushroom (100 gr. ) Brew with hot water overnight. In the morning, grind the chaga and heat the remaining water to 50 degrees, let it rest for three days. Filter, take 100 ml before each meal.

Effectively clean plaques from the skin, relieve itching and soothe the baths:

• with decoctions of sage, string, celandine, St. John's wort;
• with sea salt;
• with blue tone;
• with baking powder
• with potato starch;
• with turpentine.

Before taking a bath, take a shower, then pour water at a comfortable temperature (not hot) and dilute the medicinal composition. Bath time - 15-20 minutes, of course - every other day.

To lubricate the plaques, you can use fresh celandine juice or prepare an ointment: mix ground dry herb with petroleum jelly or baby cream.

A tried and tested buttercream (5 parts) with propolis (1 part). Put in a water bath, mix thoroughly and let cool. Lubricate the plaque with hydrogen peroxide before use.

Diet against psoriasis

Psoriasis is often associated with food allergies. Many patients know exactly which foods cause deterioration. Others believe that diet doesn't significantly affect their condition. In any case, it is recommended to stick to a diet at least during an exacerbation:

• exclude cocoa, chocolate;
• refuse coffee;
• do not eat spicy food;
• Avoid preservatives and other additives;
• limit citrus fruits, red vegetables and fruits;
• completely forbidden alcohol (especially beer).

Outside the exacerbation, the diet can be expanded with "harmful" products, but at the same time carefully monitor the skin's reaction.

Long-term remission can be achieved through diet, a healthy lifestyle, and home remedies for psoriasis. But if folk remedies obviously do not help, then you should "surrender" to the dermatologist and not give up the procedures and drugs that he offers. After the exacerbation is relieved with the help of official medicine at home, it will be easier to protect against relapse.