Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that produces round, dry skin patches of different sizes that are covered with white, gray, or silvery scales. Sometimes these lesions tend to itch excessively.

• Psoriasis mostly occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, palms and soles of the feet etc. This disease may also affect the fingernails, toenails and mucosal linings inside mouth.
• There are various factors ranging from climate, stress, infections and injuries that can trigger or flare up of this disease.
• Psoriasis is categorized as mild, moderate or severe - depending on the percentage of body surface affected.

Signs and Symptoms:

• People with psoriasis may suffer discomfort, including pain and itching, restricted motion in their joints, and emotional distress.
• Chronic itching and flaking, Unpleasant appearance of the patches has deep impact on the self-esteem and life style of the psoriasis patient.
• The course of psoriasis is characterized by remissions and relapses. At some instances the patches disappear, just to appear again after some period of time.

Cause:

There is no definite cause of psoriasis; however there is evidence of an autoimmune response in which the body's immune system mistakenly targets its own healthy cells.

• A positive family history (Genetic predisposition) may predispose you to be affected by this condition.
• Physical & Emotional Stress is resposible for aggravating or causing the lesions to reappear:
• Seasonal changes like winters may cause an increase in dryness and may aggravate Psoriasis.
• Skin irritants, local trauma, infections, alcohol, steroid withdrawal etc may aggravate the condition.

Good Prognosis if :

• Disease is of recent origin in any age group
• Patches are few (3-4) and may be anywhere on the body
• Affecting individuals who are otherwise in fine health
• Good Prognosis implies, better disease control and possibility of disease free periods.

Poor Prognosis if:

• Disease is of long standing
• Patches are on widespread area.
• Lichenification/thickening of the lesions has occurred
• Affecting individuals has poor general health, i.e suffers from systemic illness like Diabetes, Thyroid disorders etc.
• Poor Prognosis implies, longer duration of treatment is needed to control the acute flared up condition or relapses may be far apart.

Scope of Homeopathy and Line of Treatment:

• Psoriasis is a difficult disease to treat. It has been a challenge to the medical faculty, as most cases of psoriasis tend to relapse after any kind of treatments.
• Psoriasis can be cured if treated early and when the condition is limited to a few patches.
• Chronic, widespread lesions can be cured or put into remission.
• Cases wherein the lesions are widespread and relapsing can be effectively controlled with a marked reduction in the size of lesion and its reoccurrence.
• Itching and Scaling can be minimized and long term relief may be obtained.
• Homeopathic medicines affect positively by affecting our Vital Force (body’s immune system) which helps the body back to a healthy state.
• Homeopathy treats the patient as a whole - individual, so the totality of symptoms of psoriasis patient is taken into account when prescribing.
• Commonly used Homeopathic Medicines for Psoriasis are: Graphites, Kali Carb, Thuja occidentalis, Sulphur, Petroleum, Mezerium, Kali Sulph, Psorinum, Arsenicum Album, Arsenic Iod, Natrum Mur etc.
• Homeopathy helps in preventing disease progression, prevents remissions/relapses.
• Boosts immunity & promotes good health
• Works naturally without risk of side effects