Living with psoriasis can be difficult for some who suffer from this skin disease and it can be disabling if arthritis comes into play. In others, it’s merely an inconvenience. During times of flare-ups, someone suffering from psoriasis may experience negative self image, itching or burning sensations, and severe dryness.

Definition:

Psoriasis is a skin disease involving the life cycle of a person’s skin cells. It is a chronic disease that goes through ongoing stages of good (remission) and bad.  It is a fairly common disease, affecting many people worldwide. Diseased cells build up on the surface of the skin causing dry red patches and thick silvery scales. Psoriasis can be painful and is often very itchy. The irritated skin usually responds well to treatment though no cure exists. The most common form of this skin disease is plaque psoriasis.

Ways to Ease Psoriasis

  • Change your diet – Eat a balanced diet high on whole grains, vegetables, fruits, fish, and lean meat.
  • If you are obese, lose weight – By maintaining a healthy weight, medications for psoriasis tend to be more effective.
  • Keep a journal – Record foods you eat, daily stressors, large events, or other things that may trigger a flare-up. Also, notate each time you experience the onset of psoriasis and how long each occurrence lasts.
  • Avoid sunburn – While it’s a good thing to get small doses of natural sunlight through light therapy, avoid sunburn if at all possible as it can prompt psoriasis.
  • Avoid alcohol consumption – Alcohol can trigger psoriasis by reducing the effectiveness of treatments.
  • Find stress release practices – Heavy stressors can easily cause psoriasis. Using deep breathing, yoga, meditation, or other stress release techniques can help keep psoriasis flare-ups at bay.
  • Topical treatments – This form of treatment is usually used for mild to moderate psoriasis. It can help control the flare up and spread of the skin disease. Topical treatments can also reduce the itching, burning, painful, and dryness of psoriasis.
  • Oral and injected treatments – These are often used for the most severe types of psoriasis. Many of these treatments have difficult side effects so the drugs are often restricted or alternated with more natural treatments.
  • Bathe daily – Cleaning your body every day with mild soaps and lukewarm water can settle inflamed skin. Also, relaxing in a tub with colloidal oatmeal, Epsom salt, or dead sea bath beads for about a half hour can help as well.
  • Chelation therapy – Poor circulation can increase psoriasis flare-ups so using chelation therapy can help. Oral EDTA cleanses your body of heavy metals and toxins, freeing your veins and arteries for easy blood flow.

For more information on psoriasis and its treatments, symptoms, and causes, visit the Mayo Clinic’s psoriasis page on their website. View pictures of the different forms of psoriasis here. For more information on chelation therapy, contact Cardio Renew. The experts at Cardio Renew will answer any questions you may have.