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Psoriasis - Causes, Symptoms And Natural Home Remedies For The Cure of Psoriasis.

Psoriasis is one of the most stubborn skin diseases. It is characterized by thick, red silvery scaled patches of skin. This disease may appear at any age, though it is rare in infancy and early childhood. The incidence increases throughout childhood, after the age of five years, to reach a peak at adolescence. Girls suffering from this disease outnumber boys by two to one.

Symptoms of Psoriasis.

Generally, the skin of the child suffering from psoriasis appears red and irritated and may be covered with bright silvery scales. Irritation of the skin is usually slight, but irritation of the mind may be more of a problem as the child is being constantly reminded that he is different from other children. Sometimes there is also a little itching. Scratching may cause fresh lesions. Areas usually involved are elbows, knees, the skin. behind the ears, trunk and scalp. The lesions vary in size from minute papules only just visible, to sheets covering large parts of the body. The. lesions of psoriasis are always dry and rarely become infected.

A special form, guttate psoriasis, is typically seen in children between five and '12 years old. A rash, mainly on the trunk and consisting of pink maculopapaules, appears 10-20 days after a sore throat. After a few days, the maculopapules become more typically psoriatic. .They can clear up within a few months or lead to chronic psoriasis. Some patients with long-standing psoriasis develop nail changes including small pits on the nail plate and separation of part of the nail from the nail bed. Discoloration of the nail resembling grease spots is also seen.

Psoriasis causes.

Recent studies have shown that psoriasis involves an abnormality in the mechanism in which the skin grows and replaces itself. This abnormality is related to the metabolism of amino acids, the protein chemicals which are nature's basic building blocks for the reproduction of cell tissues. Some authorities also believe that this disease is caused by lack of essential acids. Heredity also plays a role in the development of this disease and about one-third of patients have a positive family history.

The factors that aggravate and precipitate the outbreak of psoriasis are injury to skin in the form of cut, burn, minor abrasion, changes in the seasons, physical and emotional stress, infections and use of certain oral drugs for the treatment of other diseases.

Natural home remedies for the treatment of psoriasis.

• The cabbage leaves have been successfully used in the form of compress in the treatment of psoriasis. The thickest and greenest outer leaves are most effective for use as compresses. They should be thoroughly washed in warm water and dried with a towel. The leaves should be made flat, soft and smooth by rolling them with a rolling pin after removing the thick veins. They should be warmed and then applied smoothly to the affected part in an overlapping manner. A pad of soft woollen cloth should be put over it. The whole compress should then be secured with a elastic bandage.
• The use of curd in the form of buttermilk has proved useful in psoriasis, and the child-patient should drink it in liberal quantities. The application of buttermilk compresses over the affected parts will also be useful in treating this condition.
• The oil of avocado has been found beneficial in the treatment of this disease. It should be applied gently to the affected parts. The oil extracted from the outer shell of cashew nut has also been found valuable in psoriasis. It is acrid and rubefacient and can be applied beneficially on affected areas.
• Too frequent baths should be avoided. Soap should not be used. Regular sea-water baths and application of sea water externally over the affected parts once a day are beneficial. After a bath, a little olive oil may be applied. The skin should be kept absolutely clean by dry friction or sponge.
• Boil a handful of marigold flower heads in a litre of water. Cool and use these as swabs on the skin lesions. Bath with soap nut solution.
• Many psoriasis patients are prescribed a specific regimen of ultraviolet light treatments. Psoriasis responds well to sunlight. The affected parts should be frequently exposed to the sun. The daily use of a sunlamp or ultra-violet light are also beneficial.
• Use fresh jasmine flower paste to apply on the lesions as a soothing salve.

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