Psoriasis is one of the most misunderstood diseases. Neither the causes of this disease nor the ways of its cure are known for sure. It is believed that it is impossible to achieve complete cure from psoriasis, therefore the main goal of therapy is to achieve a lasting long-term remission and reduce the frequency of exacerbations. Since this disease requires correction of nutrition, lifestyle, systematic use of drugs and non-pharmacological agents, psoriasis is mainly treated at home.
Causes and signs of psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic pathology with a recurrent course. The disease can affect various organs and tissues, but the main manifestations of psoriasis are dermatological. Red lesions shed on the skin, which tend to enlarge and merge with each other. Their surface is covered with gray scales, which are easily cleaned, revealing glossy wet spots with spots of "bloody dew" below.
The most common sites of psoriatic plaque are the knees and elbows, the scalp, the area behind the ears, and the lower back. Rash is most often accompanied by itching, a feeling of tightness and discomfort in the affected areas.
The onset of psoriasis is associated with stress, a recent infectious disease, allergies, endocrine pathology, but, according to many experts, is based on a genetic defect. Each of the above factors is just a "trigger" that triggers the body's mechanism of abnormal reaction to external stimuli.
Due to failure, the process of dividing epidermal cells breaks down. The death rate and desquamation of superficial cells increase by 4 - 5 times compared to the normal cycle. As a result, scales that do not have time to layer naturally form strong growths - plaques.
Rules for treating psoriasis at home
Treatment of psoriasis involves two areas:
- symptomatic- removal of acute symptoms of the disease (external agents, antihistamines, physiotherapy);
- pathogenetic: diet, desensitization of the body, cleansing measures, hormone therapy, etc.
In severe cases, inpatient treatment, use of serious hormonal medications, and basic therapy are indicated. The rest of the time, the patient fights the disease himself, choosing the most effective methods through trial and error.
Psoriasis is a disease that does not have a single solution for all. Those remedies that are appropriate for one patient may worsen the other. Here, more than ever, an individual approach is required, but there are general principles that must be followed to successfully treat psoriasis at home:
- Listen to your body. No one but you can identify all the factors that cause a worsening of psoriasis and find remedies that will work well on your plates.
- It is advisable to perform self-treatment under the supervision of a dermatologist. Do not give up on tests, procedures and medications prescribed by a specialist.
- With a mild form of psoriasis, good results can be achieved by eliminating provocative factors and using non-medicinal treatments, including folk remedies. If the manifestations of the disease are very pronounced, and psoriasis progresses, "heavy artillery" in the form of hormones and cytostatics may be required, exactly as prescribed by the doctor.
- Stability and regularity are important in treating psoriasis. You can not stop using effective remedies when the first results appear. Most drugs require a long course, first a therapeutic, then - "adjustment".
- It is very important to maintain normal skin moisture, avoid scratches, trauma and careless peeling. Tiles can only be cleaned after pre-softening and only if it can be done effortlessly.
- Many treatments cannot be used during the acute phase. Isolation, climate change, bath procedures, some oils should be applied only at the beginning of the stationary phase.
Treatment of psoriasis: how to paint tiles?
The most popular and effective treatments for skin psoriasis are pharmaceutical oils and creams. Many of the topical preparations have serious side effects and should be used with caution. This is especially true for hormonal oils, but for the issue of non-hormonal it is better to consult a doctor and strictly follow the recommendations for use.
Hormonal ointments
Hormonal agents in the treatment of psoriasis are indicated for persistent skin symptoms that do not respond to other therapeutic effects. The benefits of these drugs are fast action. The patient's condition is literally improving before our eyes, but this effect is deceptive. After stopping use, the plates not only turn, but become more intense. Hormonal ointments are addictive, and with prolonged use - damage to the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system, thinning and skin atrophy. There is also a fear that hormone-based drugs "push" psoriasis into the body and the disease manifests itself in a more severe form - psoriatic arthritis.
The effects of addiction and withdrawal make hormonal oils an undesirable treatment. If possible, it is recommended to avoid their use. If necessary, use for a short time, cancel gradually.
Today, several groups of medications are prescribed to treat psoriasis:
- Ointment with triamcinolone.They have an antihistamine, antipruritic effect, relieve inflammation. They can cause local reactions, changes in the structure of the skin, atrophy.
- Products with the active ingredient flumethasone.Reduces itching, has an anti-exudative effect. Adversely affect the skin, over time can cause systemic disorders.
- Ointment with hydrocortisone.Reduce capillary permeability, relieve swelling of affected foci, but with prolonged use there is a risk of systemic disorders.
- Preparations based on betamethasone.They have anti-inflammatory and anti-exudative effects. Suppress the process of accelerated desquamation of epithelial cells. Skin disorders and systemic problems are possible.
Non-steroidal drugs
Non-hormonal ointments are the preferred treatment for psoriasis. They do not act as quickly and powerfully as hormones, but their effect is more persistent and lasting. Non-steroidal ointments can be used for a long time without fear of addiction and the development of negative consequences.
In psoriasis drugs are used with different composition and different effects, many of them are combined with each other. Main groups of applied oils:
- Salicylic acid.The acid in them softens the plaques and helps cleanse the skin. Reduces inflammation, acts as an antiseptic. Remedies are usually prescribed to eliminate the scales, and then the affected area is treated with another medicine with medicinal ingredients.
- Zinc. Dry rashes relieve inflammation and irritation of the skin, creating a protective film that prevents adverse effects on externally affected areas.
- Tar. Ointments with the addition of birch, pine, coal tar have anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effect. They stimulate blood circulation, improve the healing of damaged skin. To eliminate plaque, you can add pure tar when making healing tools. Pitch ointments can be poorly tolerated, so they start painting them in small areas in a test way. With good tolerance, the dose is increased. Tarja increases the sensitivity of the skin to light, which can lead to allergies from the sun during the summer.
- D. Fortified ointmentsCalcipotriol-based preparations have proven themselves well in the treatment of psoriasis. They suppress the spread, shrink the plaque and prevent it from reappearing. Do not cause atrophic processes. If there is an effect, they offer a lasting forgiveness. It is recommended to be used together with UV therapy, the combination with salicylic oils is contraindicated.
- Oil-based ointment.Layer the plates, relieve itching and inflammation, but seek careful use. With increasing sensitivity, this can lead to a worsening of the skin manifestations of psoriasis, furunculosis. These funds are contraindicated in patients with anemia, kidney disease. Treatment with these drugs is carried out outside the deterioration phase.
- Vitamins.Vitamin ointments activate metabolic processes in the skin, restore tissue trophism, promote regeneration, eliminate peeling, slow down cell keratinization. Retinoids and preparations based on the tandem of vitamins E, A possess such properties.
- Strong ointments.Effective agents with a pronounced anti-inflammatory, keratolytic, antipruritic effect. Penetrate deep into the skin and normalize metabolic processes in it. They are used for a long time, in the absence of allergies. These oils cannot be combined with hormonal oils and alcohol should be avoided during treatment.
Psoriasis: Inside Treatment
It is very difficult to cope with the manifestations of psoriasis only with external agents. It is also necessary to act from within: to desensitize, to improve digestion.
- During a worsening, antihistamines have been shown to help relieve itching, eliminating the influence of provocative factors. In addition to the antiallergic effect, the drugs have a calming effect.
- Detoxification of the body is performed with the help of sorbents.
- The use of enzymes is recommended to improve digestion.
- In psoriasis, liver support is important: hepatoprotectors are taken during a course.
- "Psoriasis" should be quiet. Stress is one of the factors that cause psoriasis. The disease itself, on the other hand, can lead to neurological problems: irritability, insomnia, etc. Herbal sedatives are recommended.
- NSAIDs can help relieve joint pain in psoriasis.
The appearance of a focus of infection in the body can cause a worsening of psoriasis. Acute infectious and inflammatory diseases should be treated with antibiotics, as prescribed by a physician.
How to treat scalp psoriasis at home: features
Psoriasis ICH is the most troublesome disease for patients. Morer is more difficult to treat than open skin, as the presence of hair requires a special approach to therapy and the use of special tools.
Treatment of psoriasis on the head at home consists of the use of shampoos, pharmaceuticals and traditional methods. Skin lesions can be mild, in the form of separate spots, or severe. In severe cases, the head is covered with a so-called "crown" or "helmet" - a hard, itchy, scaly scab, mainly along the border of hair growth on the forehead, behind the ears, on the neck.
Under no circumstances should you comb and "pick" dry crusts. They should be softened with a special keratolytic shampoo, a cleansing mask and then gently remove the loose scales from the skin.
Wash your hair for psoriasis as often as necessary. It is preferable to use special or neutral shampoos. The second group includes products for children and adults for sensitive skin. They are free of odors, colors and other harmful ingredients.
From medical shampoos you can use:
- Tar.These products contain coal tar, which gives them a dark color and a specific odor. These shampoos are not well tolerated, so a test is needed. Medicinal cosmetics are sold in pharmacies.
- Zinc.They contain zinc-pyrithione, which cleanses the scalp of dead scales and reduces their number, relieves itching. If allantoin, a emollient ingredient, is added to the shampoo, it helps reduce dry skin and heals damage faster. Some remedies have been developed to treat dandruff, but can be used for milder psoriasis.
- Antifungal.Ketoconazole shampoos reduce shaking and itching and destroy fungal infections on the scalp.
In psoriasis it is advisable not to rinse the shampoo immediately, but to hold it for a few minutes to a few hours, so that the medicinal substances penetrate deeper. The head should be washed gently without scratching the skin. After rinsing the shampoo completely, rinse with fresh water acidified with vinegar. Avoid using a hair dryer.
Regular ointments are not suitable for lubricating the plates on the head. They are very oily, sticky hair and do not wash well. It is better to buy medicines in the form of a cream, lotion, emulsion or aerosol - many manufacturers produce their products in a form that is suitable for the treatment of psoriasis ICH.
Treatment of psoriasis on the head at home is carried out successfully with the help of folk remedies: masks and rinses.
Popular recipes:
- to soften the crust, rub a mixture of oils on the scalp: base (olive, burdock) and essential (tea tree, rosemary, cypress), put on a hat and leave until morning;
- make a paste of white or red clay with the addition of oils, spread on the head overnight;
- rub fresh onion juice on the skin;
- rinse with a decoction of nettle, chamomile;
- mix grapes, almond and coconut oil in a 1: 1: 2 ratio (in tablespoons), add 1 tablespoon. cognac and honey, a few drops of lavender oil, mix thoroughly in a water bath, place on head for 2 hours;
- Layer the scalp using sea salt with essential oil (eucalyptus, tea tree) - rub and massage gently with fingertips for 5 minutes, then wash hair;
- prepare a mask: burdock oil, 2 egg yolks, marigold alcohol solution, a few drops of tar, and hold on the head for 2-3 hours.
Home treatment for nail psoriasis
When psoriasis affects the nails, they become brittle, wavy and change color. These nails should be protected from external influences:
- do homework with gloves;
- abandon the beautification manicure;
- cut short nails after soaking them in water;
- use a healing protective spray.
Home treatment for nail psoriasis includes:
- The reception of vitamin and mineral complexes that strengthen the nail plate, protect cell membranes from damage (vitamins C, E, calcium).
- Hormonal ointments are more effective for treating nails. When glucocorticosteroids are rubbed into the nail plate, they are practically not absorbed into the skin and do not penetrate into the bloodstream, therefore, their use is safe for 2 to 4 weeks.
- To strengthen and moisturize nails, it is necessary to rub in them sea oil (3 times a day) and vitamin A oil every day.
- For whitening and strengthening nail plates, warm baths with corn flour or oatmeal, infusion of celandine, nettle, string are recommended.
Home remedies for treating psoriasis
Herbal infusions are one of the most popular home remedies for psoriasis:
- Make 1 tbsp in thermos overnight. lfara linen (per glass of water). Before going to bed, drink 2 tablets of activated carbon, take an infusion in the morning, eat the seeds. This recipe helps detoxify the body, helping to reduce the intensity of the symptoms of the disease.
- Soup from the collection: elecampane roots (10 gr. ), Calamus (12 gr. ), St. John's wort (15 gr. ) and Celandine (5 gr. ). Put 300 ml of hot water in a thermos, leave for 3 hours. Filter, take 100 ml 2 times a day.
- 4 rr. lzieni seeds of a plow in a liter of water on low heat for 60 minutes. Strain and drink every hour in a spoon with a deterioration, 4 times a day - in remission.
- Birch mushroom (100 gr. ) Drinking hot water overnight. In the morning, grind chaga and pour the remaining hot water at 50 degrees, leave for three days. Filter, take 100 ml before each meal.
Effectively clean skin from plaque, relieve itching and soothe baths:
- with sage, wire, celandine, St. John's wort;
- with sea salt;
- with blue clay;
- with baking soda
- with potato starch;
- with turpentine.
Before the bath, take a shower, then pour water at a comfortable (not hot) temperature, dilute the medicinal composition. Bath time - 15 - 20 minutes, of course - every other day.
To lubricate the plates, you can use fresh celandine juice or prepare an oil: mix dry ground herbs with Vaseline or baby cream.
A well-proven butter cream (5 parts) with propolis (1 part). Put in a water bath, mix thoroughly and cool. Lubricate the plate with hydrogen peroxide before use.
Diet for psoriasis
Psoriasis is often associated with food allergies. Many patients know exactly which foods are causing their deterioration. Others believe that food does not significantly affect their condition. In any case, it is recommended to adhere to a diet, at least during a deterioration:
- exclude cocoa, chocolate;
- refuse coffee;
- do not eat spicy foods;
- avoid preservatives and other additives;
- restrict citrus fruits, red vegetables and fruits;
- completely forbidden alcohol (especially beer).
Outside of irritation, the diet can be expanded with "harmful" products, but at the same time carefully monitor the skin reaction.
Through diet, a healthy lifestyle and home remedies for psoriasis, long-term remission can be achieved. But if folk remedies definitely do not help, you should "surrender" to the dermatologist and not give up the procedures and medications he offers. After alleviating the deterioration with the help of the official home remedy, it will be easier to engage in anti-relapse prevention.