Living With Psoriasis

by Larissa

Psoriasis is difficult to treat, painful, and often embarrassing.  Although attributed to heredity, environmental factors; especially prolonged injuries, food allergies and stress, are now acknowledged as contributors. This skin condition is recognized by thick or scaly patches of skin most often occurring around the extensor part of a joint such as: the elbows, knees, hands,fingers, toenails,  and feet. Dermal cells multiply at ten times the normal rate, bunching up rather than laying smooth and flat. When treating at home, or even by a professional, it’s important to address what could be causing the ailment.

Internal issues must be dealt with when it comes to improving skin disorders. No one likes to hear everyday routine things such as; smoking, alcohol, caffeine, dairy, meat, spicy foods, and even fruits high in acid, can cause skin flare ups. However, by omitting these things from the diet for at least a few weeks, one may find immense relief.

If hereditary, severity of symptoms may be reduced by making lifestyle changes, and sticking to them. Orthodox treatment with ointments, cortisone, and steroids will temporarily suppress the condition.  Outside the condition may improve, while internally the ailment may go deeper, possibly  manifesting as a more serious disorder. Once medication is removed a harsh rebound of the ailment can occur as the body has become reliant on the drugs. The main reason for failure in healing any problem naturally is too few are prepared to stick to lifestyle changes, largely due to social pressures. Be  disciplined with yourself and be prepared for positive changes, you and your body will be together a long time.

Of all the things books and articles have suggested, one keeps popping up, stress reduction.  It makes sense since stress throws hormones out of whack, resulting in imbalances.  Getting a massage on a regular basis promotes well-being, allowing the mind/body connection to heal.  Along with stress reduction, be sure to moisturize properly.  Essential oils are used to treat inflamed areas in a number of ways from compresses to baths. Use care to not scrub or massage the area vigorously as it may further irritate the area. In addition when taking healing baths do not use extremely hot water.

Some essential oils to try are:

• Lavender
• Bergamot
• Chamomile

Try adding two drops of each to two ounces fragrance free lotion. Also try mixing the above into an avocado base oil for a massage oil to smooth irritated scales. Do not add oil directly to a huge bottle,  make up small amounts of treatments.  Concoctions should be shelved no longer than two weeks unless preserved to prevent spoilage. To treat stress and anxiety, try Bach flower Rescue Remedy spray and Rescue Remedy cream for a topical.

Often the skin is referred to as the third lung.  We take in nutrients through skin and release toxins as well. Some herbs to try in a bath bag include:

• Birch Bark
• Chamomile
• Lavender
• Comfrey Root

Herbal baths are not only medicinal, they are a great stress reducer.  If you doubt the efficiency of herbal baths or topical treatments, rub half a raw garlic clove on the bottom of the foot.  Within minutes you will taste the garlic! Consult your primary care physician about supplementing with fatty acids,  dairy substitutes, and other dietary changes.

Earth Lore carries all of the herbs mentioned in this article, as well as the Bach remedies.

[Via http://earthlorenews.wordpress.com]

Is there a magical cure for psoriasis?

Wouldn’t it be great if the answer to that question was a resounding yes! Unfortunately, just as the causes of psoriasis are still unknown, so a cure for psoriasis has still to be found. If that’s the case, then why the bombastic heading? Well, there is no magical, permanent cure for psoriasis but the next best thing is a reality and within your reach.

What if there existed a treatment regime for psoriasis that was 100% naturally based and that involved no medicines or medications? What if this psoriasis treatment repaired the damage caused to your psoriasis ravaged skin within just a few short days of beginning treatment? What if the effects of the treatment left you with skin free from psoriasis for as long as nine months and slowed down its reappearance rate? Finally, what if this psoriasis treatment required that you stay in a luxurious 5 star hotel, enjoying the vacation of a lifetime, whilst clearing up your skin?

Well, it would appear that the age of magic has yet to pass because all of these things are available at one spot – the Dead Sea!

This magical spot (there’s that word again) sits at the lowest point on the face of the globe – over 400 meters below sea level. The Dead Sea (really a lake) is one of the most saline bodies of water on the planet. The water and the mud contain large concentrations of natural minerals and salts that have an amazing therapeutic affect on the ravages of psoriasis.

Spending just a couple of weeks on vacation, having daily soaks in the salt water and mud packs, removes the damaged skin revealing new fresh skin underneath that is also nourished and cleansed by the mineral content. And just to add one final bit of magic to this wonderful potion – the results of a course of treatment at the Dead Sea can put your psoriasis in remission for up to nine months!

Who said there is no such thing as magic?

[Via http://deadseahealth.wordpress.com]

Psoriasis and Climotherapy – Part 1

Psoriasis overview

Psoriasis is a chronic disease, non- contagious, not life threatening but one that can cause those afflicted by it to mental and emotional stress and suffering. The outward signs of psoriasis can be off putting to the casual observer who knows nothing of the disease. The dry, scaly patches of skin exhibited by psoriasis, primarily on the face, scalp, elbows or knees, can be disturbing and evoke deep emotions and fears in the observer.

Human beings, being what they are, often find it difficult to hide their immediate reaction to signs of psoriasis and many, especially small children, can be vocal in their reactions.

These reactions to the outward symptoms of psoriasis often cause psoriasis sufferers to become wary of social encounters. They may cover up the signs of psoriasis, may refrain from going to the pool or the beach and in extreme cases, may even adopt the lifestyle of a semi-recluse.

Available psoriasis treatments

In an attempt to reverse or slow down the development of psoriasis many product are available on the market. Some require a medical prescription, many do not. Some are based on purely natural ingredients, many include hormones and steroids that claim to clear up psoriasis damaged skin. Other treatments include UV treatments, spa treatments, special diets and many more, all claiming to have a therapeutic affect on psoriasis damaged skin.

Whilst some of these treatments can have a beneficial effect on psoriasis, some – especially those containing artificial substances or hormones and steroids – can also have side effects. Others, such as UV treatments in a UV parlor, whilst clearing up, to a degree, psoriasis symptoms, can be damaging to the health in other areas, if applied improperly or for extensive periods of time.

Another drawback of many treatments is the length of time needed to adhere to a treatment schedule, the restrictions they may place on your life style, the cost and the time period they are effective for.

In the next article in this series we will examine a 100% natural psoriasis treatment option, with scientifically proven, long lasting results – the Dead Sea.

[Via http://deadseahealth.wordpress.com]

What is Psoriasis - info from The Psoriasis Association

What is Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition affecting 2-3% of the population of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Im not certain of the Stats for the Rest of the world. 

It is very simply a speeding up of the usual replacement processes of the skin. Normally skin cells take about 21-28 days to replace themselves; in psoriasis this process is greatly accelerated, and skin cells can be replaced every 2-6 days. This results in an accumulation of skin cells on the surface of the skin, in the form of a psoriatic plaque. This process is the same wherever it occurs on the body. 

Psoriasis can occur at any point in the lifespan, affecting children, teenagers, adults and older people. It affects males and females equally. 

Psoriasis cannot be caught from other people nor can it be transferred from one part of the body to another.

Patches of psoriasis (also referred to as plaques) are raised red patches of skin, covered with silvery white scales. The silvery white scales are the accumulation of the skin cells waiting to be shed, and the redness is due to the increase in blood vessels required to support the increase in cell production. Psoriasis can range in appearance from mild to severe. The plaques can appear in a variety of shapes and sizes, varying from a few millimetres to several centimetres in diameter. Plaques of psoriasis have a well-defined edge from the surrounding skin.

Most people (80%) with psoriasis have common plaque psoriasis (also referred to as psoriasis vulgaris – vulgaris just means common) in which the plaques tend to appear most often on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp, although any part of the body can be affected.

  

Guttate Psoriasis patches are small (often less than 1cm in diameter) and scaly, and can be numerous, covering many areas of the body. It is seen most often in children and teenagers and can be triggered by a throat infection.

The appearance of psoriasis in sensitive areas such as the armpits and groin is often red and shiny, with little or no scaling.

It is not unusual for psoriasis to be itchy, and it can sometimes feel painful or sore.

Other forms of psoriasis include pustular psoriasis where small blisters appear, usually on the hands and feet and nail psoriasis where changes in the appearance and texture of the nails occur. 

Traditionally psoriasis was thought to be a condition of the upper most layer of the skin (the epidermis), but recent research has found that the changes in the skin begin in the immune system when certain immune cells (T cells) are triggered and become overactive. The T cells produce inflammatory chemicals, and act as if they were fighting an infection or healing a wound, which leads to the rapid growth of skin cells causing psoriatic plaques to form. You may therefore hear psoriasis being described as an “auto-immune disease” or “immune-mediated condition”. It is not yet clear what triggers the immune system to act in this way.

Around 30% of people with psoriasis have a family history of the condition, and certain genes have been identified as being linked to psoriasis. However, many genes are involved and even if the right combination of genes has been inherited, psoriasis may not appear. A trigger is required for psoriasis to develop and this could be a throat infection, injury to the skin, certain drugs and physical or emotional stress.

 

[Via http://gonnabehealthy.wordpress.com]

Dead Sea Salts - Cure For Psoriasis

Have you ever tried soaking in bath salts? Dead Sea Salts are ideal for use in bath salts, salt scrubs, home use, & professional spa therapy use. They are a standard ingredient for the cosmetic bath and spa industry. Regular use has been clinically tested to relieve the symptoms of Skin Disorders such as Psoriasis, and conditions such as Arthritis, back pain, Skin Allergies, Stress, Insomnia and many other related conditions.

Nestled between Israel and Jordan is an ancient wonder that has healed, cured, and inspired humankind for thousands of years: The Dead Sea. Spas, treatment centers, and retreats line the shores of this natural wonder. The climate in the region is warm, sunny and dry year-round. The air is clean, pure, and refreshingly absent of the pollution that surrounds us elsewhere. The atmosphere contains a unique UV filter that allows visitors to soak up therapeutic sunlight without the risk of burning. There are numerous hot springs, and the water is filled with minerals that are known to soothe tired muscles, decrease inflammation and promote healing, and act as a cure for many common ailments. There is such a high quantity of salt in the lake, you will float to the surface without even trying.

It’s no wonder the Dead Sea is a popular tourist destination, as well as a center for healing and treatment. You don’t need to go to the Dead Sea to reap its magnificent rewards, however: we offer real, raw, natural Dead Sea salts for you to sprinkle in your bathtub. If you suffer from stress, any one of many skin conditions, anxiety, aches and pains, or even a more serious condition, Dead Sea Salts could very well offer relief, if not a complete cure. Take a break from your hectic, fast-paced day and visit the natural wonder that is the Dead Sea.

Article Source: San Francisco Bath Company (our provider for the best salts) & The Dead Sea Miracle as seen on CNN “The Amazing Dead Sea.”

If you would like to purchase bath salts, please visit our websites: http://BeachnBody.com or http://HealWithEssentialOil.com.

[Via http://healwithessentialoil.wordpress.com]

On the Horizon: TV Series and Documentary on MMS

I’ve had the feeling that a new wave of the public is beginning, or about to start learning about MMS, the Miracle Mineral Supplement/Solution introduced by Jim Humble and chronicled by yours truly via articles, audio interviews on Talk For Food, and through my documentary, Understanding MMS: Conversations with Jim Humble. Increasingly, people who contact me with questions indicate that their doctor advised them to get it and give it a try. Bravo! Yesterday I received a link to a video that is currently on YouTube, a pilot for a television series on MMS.

The series, shot in High Definition, is titled, “Straight Talk on MMS: Chlorine Dioxide”, and is hosted by Dan Bender. It gives a wonderfully concise overview of MMS, what it is, and a range of perceived health conditions that it can address. This episode is shot in Brussels, Belgium, and features Andreas Kalcker, who is planning to travel the world in a custom made RV which looks like it could be competitive in the Paris to Dakar rally, and produce a documentary on MMS. As one of the “original players” in this story, perhaps we’ll meet one day. But I wish Dan and Andreas the best in their travels, as MMS continues its ascendancy in public awareness and adoption.

[Via http://phaelosopher.wordpress.com]

Relief from Psoriasis and a vacation – part three

So here we are my Husband Dave and I and our two kids at the Dead Sea and I started my psoriasis treatments just four days ago.

The results so far are amazing!!! My skin already looks better than it looked in years, the dry skin that I have had because of the psoriasis for years is disappearing, the itching has gone and I feel great! I have no problem wearing a short sleeved shirt or even my bathing costume. If the psoriasis continues to disappear at this rate then this will have been the best holiday of my entire life.

The psoriasis treatment itself is even enjoyable. Soaking in the Dead Sea water is an experience because you float! I even read the newspaper while floating in the water. The mud packs that peel of the psoriasis affected skin is also very relaxing and I just sit and read or talk to some of the other people and swap psoriasis stories.

The final stage of the psoriasis treatment involves sunbathing. What is great is that because the whole area is over 400 meters below sea level , most of the UV radiation is filtered out and you can spend longer periods of time in the sun which also helps clear up the psoriasis.

Dave says that not only do I look better, but that I am happier and more relaxed. He’s right, because if, after only four days, I feel and look this good, when we go home in 10 days it will be as if I never had psoriasis. So far, everything I was told about the treatments and their effect on psoriasis has been 100% true.

So far, I’ve only talked about myself, in the next article, I’ll let Dave and the kids have a word so that they can tell you about how they (and me when I’ve finished my daily psoriasis therapy) spend their time.

[Via http://deadseahealth.wordpress.com]