Psoriasis is a disease of the skin in which raised, rough, reddened areas appear, covered with fine silvery scales. Mostly psoriasis causes swelling and scaling with patches of thick and red in color. They can be found on the knees, scalp, elbows, soles of the feet, lower back, palms, face, other parts of the legs, finger nails or toenails, inside the mouth and genital area.

Causes & Symptoms of Psoriasis

The eruption consists of a chronic inflammatory process in the true skin, the papillae of which become considerably lengthened and more vascular than usual. Changes in the cuticle also affect the epidermis. The condition generally appears for the first time around adolescence or early adult life. It is often a family disease occurring in different generations of one stock, and is often .associated with gout or rheumatism. In some persons, psoriasis appears repeatedly at a particular season, especially in the spring and autumn, but it is not infectious.

Ayurveda believes that impurities in the blood associated with emotional factors are the cause of the disease. Psoriasis occurs in different forms, but usually involves the thickening and reddening of patches of skin. Patches of psoriasis typically occur on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. These patches may have a thick silvery-white scale of dead skin on the top, and may be itchy.

Medicines & Prescriptions for Psoriasis

Kushta Rakshasa Taila is the preparation of choice in treating this condition. It is for external application in case of itching in the affected parts. Guggulu Tiktaka Ghrita is given internally. It improves digestion and removes impurities from the blood. The patient should be on an empty stomach, and take one teaspoonful twice daily with a cup of hot milk. The dose is gradually increased to six teaspoonfuls. Treatment for psoriasis depends on the type and severity of the psoriasis, where the psoriasis is found on the body, the person's general health, and other medications the person may be taking. After some days when some improvement is visible, Chandamrita is given in a one grain dose with honey on empty stomach. Along with this, Manjishtha (decoction of the stem of the plant) should be administered in one ounce doses twice during the day.

Diagnosis of psoriasis

It is based upon:

1. The family history of psoriasis

2. The typical distribution of the lesions on the csalp, elbows, knees, the front of the legs, back and nails.

3. Typical histopathology

4. Little or no itching

5. Well-defined, non-indurated, dry, erythematous areas with silvery, layer-upon-layer sealing.

6. History of previous attacks and seasonal variations of the disease.

7. The candle-grease sign, Koebner's phenomenon and pin-point bleeding upon removal of the scale.

Home Remedies for Treating Psoriasis

Spicy foods, curds, and salt should be avoided. If the patient cannot subsist on a salt-free diet, he may be permitted a little rock salt. Vegetables like drumsticks, bitter gourd, and tlowers of the neem tree are helpful in dealing with this condition. Clothes made of man-made fibres should not be worn by the patient. He should not scratch the affected parts but apply Kushta Rakhasa Taila over them.

Prevention Tips

* Avoiding environmental factors that trigger psoriasis, such as smoking, sun exposure, and stress, may help prevent or minimize flare-ups of psoriasis. Sun exposure may help in many cases of psoriasis and aggravate it in others.

* Alcohol is considered a risk factor for psoriasis in young to middle-aged men. Avoid or minimize alcohol use if you have psoriasis.

* pecific dietary restrictions or supplements other than a well-balanced and adequate diet are unimportant in the management of plaque psoriasis.