How to treat psoriasis at home?

causes and symptoms of psoriasis

Psoriasis is one of the most misunderstood diseases. Neither the cause of the disease nor its cure is known for certain. It is believed that it is not possible to completely cure psoriasis, therefore, the main goal of therapy is to achieve stable long-term remission and reduce the frequency of exacerbations. Since this disease requires adjustments to diet, lifestyle, systemic use of drugs and non-pharmacological agents, psoriasis is primarily treated at home.

Causes and Signs of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic medical condition with a relapse. The disease can affect various organs and tissues, but the main manifestation of psoriasis is dermatosis. The red lesions shed out of the skin, tend to grow and link together. Their surface is covered with gray scales that are easily scraped off, revealing shiny wet spots with "blood mist" spots underneath.

The most common locations of a psoriatic plaque are the knees and elbows, scalp, behind the ears, and lower back. The rash is often accompanied by itching, tightness and discomfort in the affected areas.

The occurrence of psoriasis is related to stress, with a recent infectious disease, allergies, endocrine pathology, but according to many experts, it is due to genetic defects. Any of the above is just a "trigger" that triggers the body's unusual response to external stimuli.

Due to an incident, the process of epidermal cell division was interrupted. The rate of death and desquamation of superficial cells increases 4-5 times compared with normal cycle. As a result, the scales do not have time to naturally exfoliate the plaques - plaques.

Rules for home treatment of psoriasis

Psoriasis treatment consists of two fields:

  1. symptomatic- eliminates acute symptoms of the disease (external agents, antihistamines, physiotherapy);
  2. genetic disease:diet, desensitization of the body, cleansing measures, hormone therapy, etc. v.

In severe cases, treatment under static conditions is indicated, it is possible to use serious hormonal drugs and basic therapy. The rest of the time, the patient fights their own disease, choosing the most effective methods by trial and error.

Psoriasis is a disease that doesn't have a universal solution for all. Medications that are right for one patient can aggravate the other. Here, more than ever, a single approach is required, but there are general principles to follow for successful treatment of psoriasis at home:

  1. Listen to your body. No one except you can identify all the factors that trigger an exacerbation of psoriasis and find effective remedies with your plaques.
  2. Self-treatment should be done under the supervision of a dermatologist. Don't skip tests, procedures, and medications prescribed by a specialist.
  3. With the mild form of psoriasis, good results can be achieved by eliminating provocative factors and by using non-pharmacological treatments, including folk remedies. If the manifestations of the disease are very pronounced, and the psoriasis is more advanced, a "heavy cannon" in the form of hormones and cytostatics may be required, as directed by your doctor.
  4. Consistency and regularity are important in psoriasis treatment. You cannot stop using effective home remedies when the first results appear. Most medicines require a long course, first with treatment, then "repair".
  5. It is important to maintain a normal moisture level of the skin, avoid scratches, injuries and careless scaly removal. The plaque can only be cleaned after preliminary softening and only if it can be done without effort.
  6. Multiple treatments cannot be used in the acute phase. Isolation, climate change, spa procedures, some ointments should be applied only at the beginning of the stationary phase.

Psoriasis treatment: how to smear the plaques?

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

Hormone ointment

Hormonal drugs in the treatment of psoriasis are indicated for persistent skin symptoms that do not respond to other therapeutic effects. The benefit of these drugs is their quick acting. The patient's condition is literally improving before our eyes, but this effect is deceiving. After stopping use, the plaques not only did not return, but became darker. Hormonal ointment is addictive, and with prolonged use - harms the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system, thinning and atrophy of the skin. There is also fear that hormone-based drugs "drive" psoriasis into the body, and the disease manifests itself in a more severe form - psoriatic arthritis.

The addictive and detoxifying effects make hormonal ointments an undesirable treatment. If possible, you should avoid using them. If needed for a short time, cancel gradually.

Nowadays, several classes of drugs are prescribed in the treatment of psoriasis:

  1. Triamcinolone ointment.They have antihistamine, anti-itch, and anti-inflammatory effects. They can cause local reactions, changes in skin structure, atrophy of the skin.
  2. Products with flumethasone as the active ingredient.Reduces itching, has anti-secreting effects. Negatively affects the skin, over time can cause systemic disorders.
  3. Hydrocortisone ointment.Reduces the permeability of capillaries, reduces swelling of the damaged foci, but if used long-term, it will risk causing systemic disorders.
  4. Betamethasone-based preparations.They have anti-inflammatory and decreased secretions. Inhibits the process of rapid sloughing of epithelial cells. There may be skin disorders and systemic problems.

Nonsteroidal drugs

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

In psoriasis, drugs with different composition and effect are used, many drugs are combined together. The main groups of topical ointments:

  1. Salicylic.The acids in them soften the plaques and help cleanse the skin. Reduces inflammation, acts as an antiseptic. The remedy is usually prescribed to remove the scab, and then the affected area is treated with a different remedy with a medicinal ingredient.
  2. Zinc.Dry itch, reduces inflammation and skin irritation, creates a protective film, prevents negative external effects on the affected skin.
  3. Tar.Ointment with added birch, pine, charcoal has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect. They stimulate blood circulation, improve the healing process of the damaged skin. To get rid of plaque, you can add pure tar when cooking yourself. Ointments with tar can be poorly tolerated, so they start to apply them on small areas in the test mode. With good tolerance, the dosage is increased. Tar increases the skin's sensitivity to light, which can lead to sun allergies in the summer.
  4. D-enhancing ointmentCalcipotriol-based preparations have been shown to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis. They prevent proliferation, reduce plaque and prevent it from reappearing. They do not cause atrophy. If they work, they will steadily settle down. It is recommended to use it in parallel with UV therapy; Contraindicated in combination with salicylic ointment.
  5. Oil-based ointments.Removes plaque, relieves itching and inflammation but needs to be used with care. With increased sensitivity, it can lead to worsening skin manifestations of psoriasis, furunculosis. These funds are contraindicated in patients with anemia, kidney disease. Treatment with these drugs is carried out outside the exacerbation stage.
  6. Vitamins.Vitamin ointment activates metabolism in the skin, restores tissue nutrition, promotes regeneration, eliminates flaking, slows down the process of keratinization of cells. Retinoids and parallel-based preparations of vitamins E, A have such properties.
  7. Solid ointment.Effective agent with a pronounced anti-inflammatory, keratinized, anti-itch effect. Penetrates deep into the skin and normalizes the metabolism in it. They are used for a long time, in the absence of allergies. These ointments cannot be combined with hormonal ointments and alcohol intake should be avoided during treatment.

Psoriasis: Treatment from within

It is difficult to deal with the manifestations of psoriasis with only external agents. It is also necessary to act from the inside: desensitizing, improving digestion.

  1. During exacerbations, antihistamines have been shown to reduce itching, eliminating the effects of provoking factors. In addition to anti-allergic effect, the drug also has a sedative effect.
  2. The detoxification of the body is carried out with the help of a sorbent.
  3. Enzymes should be used to improve digestion.
  4. In psoriasis, liver support is very important: liver protection drugs are taken according to the regimen.
  5. "Psoriasis" needs to be calm. Stress is one of the factors that triggers psoriasis. In turn, the disease can lead to neurological problems: stress, insomnia, etc. v. Herbal sedatives are recommended.
  6. NSAIDs may help relieve pain in the joints during psoriasis.

The appearance of an infection in the body can cause exacerbations of psoriasis. Acute inflammatory diseases must be treated with antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor.

How to treat scalp psoriasis at home: features

The

ICH psoriasis causes the most problems for the patient. It is more difficult to treat than the open skin, because the appearance of hair requires a special method of treatment and the use of special means.

Home treatment of psoriasis involves the use of shampoos, medications, and traditional methods. Skin damage can be mild, in the form of separate or severe nodules. In difficult cases, the head is covered with the so-called "crown" or "helmet" - a kind of hard, itchy, and scaly psoriasis, mainly along the hair growth line on the forehead, behind the ears, on the neck.

In no case should you not brush and "pick up" the dry crusts. They need to be softened with a special keratolytic shampoo, a cleansing mask, and then gently remove flakes from the skin.

Shampoo the psoriasis as often as needed. It is better to use special or neutral shampoo. The second group includes products for children and adults for sensitive skin. They do not contain perfumes, dyes and other harmful ingredients.

From medicated shampoo you can use:

  1. Tar.These products contain coal tar, which gives them a distinctive dark color and odor. These shampoos are not well tolerated, so testing is required. Cosmetic pharmaceuticals are sold in pharmacies.
  2. Zinc.They contain zinc-pyrithione, which helps to clear the scalp from dead scabs and reduce the amount of flakes and itchiness. If allantoin, an emollient ingredient, is added to the shampoo, it will help reduce dry skin and heal damage faster. Some of the remedies are designed to treat dandruff, but can be used for milder psoriasis.
  3. Antifungal.Ketoconazole shampoo reduces flaking and itching while eliminating fungal infections of the scalp.

For psoriasis, you should not wash it immediately, but incubate it for a few minutes to a few hours for the drug to penetrate deeper. Gentle shampoo should not scratch skin. After washing off the shampoo, rinse with cool water mixed with vinegar. Avoid using a hair dryer.

Ordinary ointment is not suitable for lubricating the plaques on the head. They are too greasy, sticky and not washed. It is better to buy the drug in the form of a cream, lotion, emulsion or aerosol - many manufacturers produce their products in a form that is convenient for the treatment of ICH psoriasis.

Effective treatments for psoriasis

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

Popular Recipes:

  • to soften the crust, rub the scalp oil mixture: base oil (olives, burdock) and essential oils (tea tree, rosemary, cypress), wear a hat and leave until morning;
  • forms a white or red clay mixture with added oil, applied overnight;
  • apply fresh onion juice to the skin;
  • washed with decoction of nettle, chamomile;
  • mix grape oil, almond oil and coconut oil in the ratio of 1: 1: 2 (by tablespoon), add 1 teaspoon. cognac and honey, a few drops of lavender oil, mix well into a water bath, apply on top for 2 hours;
  • Exfoliate the scalp using sea salt with essential oils (eucalyptus, tea tree) - smooth and massage gently with fingertips for 5 minutes, then wash hair;
  • prepare mask: burdock oil, 2 yolks, marigold alcohol, a few drops of tar, incubate on the head for 2-3 hours.

Home treatment of nail psoriasis

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

  • does homework with gloves;
  • manicure removal;
  • cut nails short after soaking in water;
  • uses wound-protective varnish.

Home treatment for nail psoriasis includes:

  1. Adopt a complex of vitamins and minerals to strengthen nails, protecting cell membranes from damage (vitamins C, E, calcium).
  2. The most effective hormonal ointment for the treatment of nails. When glucocorticosteroids are rubbed against the nails, they are practically not absorbed into the skin and do not enter the bloodstream, so their use is safe for 2 to 4 weeks.
  3. To strengthen and moisturize nails, it is necessary to apply sea buckthorn oil daily (3 times a day) and vitamin A oil.
  4. To whiten and strengthen nails, warm baths with cornstarch or oatmeal should be infused with coriander, nettle, and string.

Home treatments for psoriasis

Effective treatments for psoriasis

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

  1. Incubate 1 tablespoon in a thermos overnight. l. flaxseed (per glass of water). Before going to bed take 2 activated charcoal tablets, morning infusion, eat whole seeds. This formula helps to detoxify the body, helping to reduce the intensity of the symptoms of the disease.
  2. Broth from the collection: Elecampane roots (10 gr. ), linden (12 gr. ), St. John's wort (15 gr. ) And celandine (5 gr. ). Mix 300 ml of hot water into a thermos flask, leave on for 3 hours. Filter, take 100 ml 2 times a day.
  3. 4 st. l. Boil the plow seeds in a liter of water over low heat for 60 minutes. Strain and drink one teaspoon every hour when there is an exacerbation, 4 times a day - the disease is in remission.
  4. Birch mushroom (100 gr. ) incubated with hot water overnight. In the morning, grind chaga mushrooms and heat the remaining water to 50 degrees, leave on for three days. Strain, take 100 ml before each meal.

Cleanses plaque effectively, relieves itching and soothes in the shower:

  • with the pigments of sage, vines, sage, st. John's wort;
  • with sea salt;
  • made of green clay;
  • with baking soda
  • with potato starch;
  • resin.

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

To lubricate the plaques, you can use fresh cedarberry juice or prepare an ointment: mix ground dried herbs with kerosene or baby cream.

Verified buttercream (5 servings) with propolis (1 part). Place in a water bath, mix well and let cool. Lubricate the plaque with hydrogen peroxide before use.

Psoriasis Diet

Psoriasis is often associated with food allergies. Many patients know exactly what foods are making them worse. Others claim that nutrition does not significantly affect their condition. In any case you should adhere to a diet, at least during an exacerbation:

How to treat psoriasis at home
  • excludes cocoa, chocolate;
  • rejects coffee;
  • does not eat spicy foods;
  • avoids preservatives and other additives;
  • restricts citrus fruits, red vegetables, and fruits;
  • completely bans alcohol (especially beer).

In addition to exacerbations, the diet may be enlarged with "harmful" products, but at the same time carefully monitor the skin's response.

Long-term remission can be achieved through a healthy diet, lifestyle and home remedies for psoriasis. But if the folk remedies clearly do not help, you should "surrender" to the dermatologist and not give up the therapies and medicines that the doctor offers. After remission of the exacerbation with the help of formal home medication, it will be easier to join the prevention of relapse.