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Genital Psoriasis Contagious
Dealing With Psoriasis Naturally!
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder afflicting about four million Americans. It is characterized by red and itchy patches with silver skin flakes. The good news is that it is not contagious; the bad news is it can cause you much discomfort, and shame, especially if it worsens.
Usually, it takes about thirty days for new skin to generate and rise to the surface. What happens with psoriasis, though, is that the skin generates at a much faster rate. Because of this, patches of psoriasis develop. Although they can be found most commonly on the elbows, knees, and scalp, they can also break out on the face, feet, and even the genitals.
Fortunately, psoriasis can be treated using natural methods. These natural methods are often geared towards the relief of symptoms associated with psoriasis.
The classic psoriasis patch can be very dry and sometimes, they can even bleed. So, your goal in the treatment of psoriasis must involve skin softening solutions. If patches of psoriasis develop on your scalp, use shampoos with aloe vera and jojoba to soften the patches. For your entire body, you can put oatmeal into your bathwater and soak yourself in the solution, or you can use chickweed, too, as an alternative to oatmeal. Chickweed can be mixed in your bath water, or you can apply it directly on the patch.
There are herbal remedies that can be used for psoriasis. However, they are best taken with the guidance of a physician.
• Milk Thistle for Psoriasis: Milk Thistle can inhibit the production of T-cells, which are surprisingly abundant in psoriasis patients. Right now, there are a lot of milk thistle products available at pharmacies and health stores. Take them as prescribed by the physician or as indicated in the label. It comes in both tablet and fluid extract forms. Select the one you are most comfortable using.
• Oregano Treatment for Psoriasis: Oregano is a popular herb and spice used for cooking and baking. For psoriasis, its natural antifungal and antibacterial properties are going to help a lot. Oregano oil is usually applied topically on the affected areas, although it can be taken orally as well. Oregano oil is now available at many health stores.
• Shark Cartilage Cure: Research had show that the extracts of shark cartilage can prevent new blood vessel formation. When new blood vessels form, the lesions associated with psoriasis worsen, but with the help of shark cartilage's anti-inflammatory properties, the lesions heal in no time.
• Tumeric Remedy: Tumeric is found in curry powder. It is a spice that is also used in Chinese medicine. Right now, there are tumeric capsules for use as dietary supplements. Tumeric is effective for psoriasis because it can ease the pain, inflammation, and swelling associated with the disease.
• St John's Wort Treatment for Psoriasis: St John's Wort can also be used by psoriasis patients. It works by lowering cyclosporine in the blood. Take St. John's Wort as per your doctor's advice as it can be dangerous for people who loves sunbathing and are undergoing UV light treatment.
Some natural treatments may involve more than just treating the symptoms of psoriasis. A weak immune system can trigger the incidence of psoriasis. So, if you want to avoid psoriasis break outs, you need to do something to improve your health. For instance, you can take vitamin supplements or other herbal remedies such as Dandelion, Kelp, and Garlic, to boost your immune system and enable you to better fight off diseases and skin disorders like psoriasis.
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Coping With Psoriasis And Treatments
Psoriasis is a NON-CONTAGIOUS skin disorder. It is generally believed to be caused by a "malfunction" of the immune system resulting in excessive reproduction of skin cells. A normal skin cell matures in 28 - 30 days and is shed off unnoticed but psoriatic skin cell matures in just a matter of 3 - 4 days. This causes the dead skin cells to pile up and form the characteristic red patches of scales,plaque and lesion. Inflammation is caused by activation of T-cells which trigger the release of cytokines. In truth, psoriasis is a disorder stemming from a physical defect just as in arthritis,asthma,diabetes and myopia. Heredity plays a role but some people with no family history of psoriasis are also affected. Educating the public with the facts of psoriasis will hopefully eradicate the myths and misconceptions about the disorder.
There are many types of psoriasis. The most common form is Plaque psoriasis (vulgaris) - affecting more than 80% of sufferers.It appears as raised areas of inflamed,silvery white scaly skin known as plaques.
* Flexural psoriasis (inverse) - smooth inflamed patches, aggravated by friction (eg. skin against clothing) and sweat and is also prone to fungal infection. Usually occurring in skin folds like genital area,armpits,under a bulging stomach and under the inflammatory fold of the breasts.
* Guttate psoriasis - numerous small round spots appear over large area of the body,limbs and scalp.It is associated with streptococcal throat infection.
* Pustular psoriasis - appears as pus-filled bumps with the surrounding area red and tender. usually occurring on the hands and feet.
* Nail psoriasis - characterize with discoloring, lines across the nail plate,thickening of skin under nail and the loosening and crumbling of the nail.
* Psoriatic arthritis - cause 'sausage-like' swelling on the fingers and toes. It involves joint and connective tissue inflammation and also affects the hips, knees and spine.
* Erythrodermic psoriasis - having widespread inflammation and exfoliation of the skin accompanied by severe itching,swelling and pain. It can be fatal in extreme cases where disruption to the body's ability to regulate temperature and barrier functions are impaired.
The effectiveness of specific treatment varies with different individuals as such, the trial and error approach is employed to find the most suitable treatment for a patient. Initial treatment for mild to moderate cases consist of topical prescription drugs like Anthralin - no long-term side effects but can stain skin and clothing, Dovonex (Dalvonex) - best used for flattening lesions and removing scales, Tar medications - treats scaling,inflammation and itching, Tarzorac - slows down rapid growth of skin and cortisone-type drugs - slows growth of skin cells and decrease inflammation of lesions.
For moderate to severe cases, phototherapy,systemic treatments and biologics treatments are available.Some of the drugs used are not widely accepted mainly because of safety reasons.Phototherapy uses different kinds of ultraviolet lights and often combines with topical treatments. For best results, frequent treatments of up to 3 times a week is needed. UVB phototherapy (ultraviolrt light B) - safe and effective, often combines with other forms of treatments for faster results. PUVA (Psoralen plus Ultraviolet light A) - combines light-sensitising medication with UVA, it is very effective but may increase risk of skin cancer. Laser treatment - specific ultraviolet beam targets small area of skin lesion.
Systemic treatments are prescription drugs administered in pill form or by injection.Patients undergoing treatment of this kind (for severe psoriasis) are required to undergo frequent blood and liver function tests due to the toxicity of the medication. The 3 main treatments are methotrexate,cyclosporine and retinoids.
* Methotrexate - side effects may include nausea, anemia, tiredness and insomnia
* Cyclosporine - short-term side effects may include decreased kidney function, headache, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and flu-like symptoms
* Retinoids - oral retinoids may cause birth defects
Retinoids are the least toxic and therefore the more preferred choice of treatment.On the other hand, alternative treatments are just as popular with some former patients claiming success where regular treatments failed.Natural treatments includes ichthyotherapy (a kind of doctor fish used to consume psoriatic cells),bath solutions ( apple cider vinegar,Dead sea salt,Epson salts are added to bath), Salicylic Acid ( loosen scales for other topical medication to penetrate skin), moisturizers ( provides relief for itchy skin) and natural sunlight (non burning light). See here for a treatment recipe
William Kon
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