Diet Tips & Home Remedies To Deal With Psoriasis

• Tweet
• Pin It

Being healthy and carrying on our daily activities are itself a great challenge. Then think about those who are affected with psoriasis and how they go around with their normal life.

Life is not that easy for people affected with psoriasis. In this article we will discuss about psoriasis, the psychological aspects, diet, home remedies and new research taking place to find a cure for it.

Psoriasis

It may be called a disease of the immune system that appears on the skin. Psoriasis is the most common auto immune disease. Those who are suffering from psoriasis have the thick red skin with flaky silver white patches called scales. The triggers for psoriasis may be said as bacterial or viral infections, dry air and dry skin, injury to the skin, some medicines, stress, too little sunlight, sunburn and too much alcohol.

Psychological Aspects Of Psoriasis

People suffering from psoriasis may feel self conscious, helpless, embarrassed, angry or frustrated. Constantly worrying about other people’s perceptions in social situations may become a major source of stress in their lives. Do you know what? Stress makes psoriasis worse.

They suffer from increased risk of emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide and body image issue. Life is meant to be lived. With a help of strong network of family and friends who give positive reinforcement those affected with psoriasis certainly develop a positive self image.

Eating healthy diet, sharing your concern with those who are affected such as in online discussion groups, talking to your dermatologist about your concerns would help to cope with this situation effectively.

Diet Tips To Manage Psoriasis

Experts say that the best dietary advice for people with psoriasis is eating a sensible diet, low in fats and sweets and high in fruits and vegetables. According to various studies weight gain often triggers a flurry of symptoms in people suffering from psoriasis. Weight loss leads to improvement in symptoms.

Studies have found that certain foods increase the severity of psoriasis. Gluten, beer, alcohol, red meat, cheese and milk worsen the symptoms of psoriasis. Foods such as omega 3 fatty acids, salmon, mackerel, herring and tuna appear to be associated with better control of psoriasis symptoms.

Gluten Free Diet

This diet is good for people suffering from psoriasis. Gluten is a storage protein compound found in wheat, rye and barley. Some people have antibodies to one component of gluten called gliadin resulting in a condition known as celiac disease. And many people with psoriasis have anti gliadin antibodies than the general population. Studies have proved that there is improvement in the psoriasis with the adoption of gluten free diet.

Photo Credit: Retailactive.com

Anti Inflammatory Diet

This diet includes eating many fruits and vegetables, avoiding saturated and trans-fats. Including whole grains and reducing the carbohydrates such as pasta and white rice (brown rice proves beneficial for psoriasis). Include lean proteins such as skinless chicken and cut back on red meat and full diary products. Avoid refined and processed foods. Red meat and dairy products should be eaten in moderation since they contain arachidonic acid a natural inflammatory substance that is believed to make psoriasis sores red and swollen.

New research has found that smoking cigarettes is linked to development of psoriasis. The risk increases particularly in women. Smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day was found to be linked with pustular psoriatic lesions.

Foods Good For Psoriasis

Researchers have said that antioxidants, beta-carotene, folate, omega 3 fatty acids and zinc prevent the factors that trigger psoriasis and help in its management. The metabolism of copper may be influenced by the intake of zinc. Therefore, it is important to eat foods which are rich in copper. These include bitter gourd, curd, boiled vegetables and pumpkin.

Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines contain EPA fatty acid. The EPA is converted into anti inflammatory substances which dampen down factors that lead to psoriasis. Salmon, tuna, carrots, mangoes and green leafy vegetables are high in beta carotene and the body converts these into vitamin A essential for healthy skin. People who include these foods in their daily diet have a lower risk of developing psoriasis.

Flax seeds are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. It is also found in sesame and sunflower seeds. The essential fatty acids in flax seed oil have anti inflammatory actions and over all skin soothing properties. Brazil nuts are good for psoriasis. They are rich in selenium and contain glutathione peroxidase. This enzyme stops the formation of leukotrienes which may worsen psoriasis. Broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts are rich in folate. Shell fish and whole grain foods are rich in zinc. Zinc is lost through skin. And for psoriasis patients zinc loss is thought to be high.

Foods To Avoid For Psoriasis

As we have seen earlier red meat and dairy products, alcohol, spices and condiments, citrus fruits such as orange, prepared juices, grapefruit, lime, lemon, lemonade, bitter orange and fruit peels must be avoided. Avoid pickled spices, peppers, nut based pastries, chocolate based pastries, prepared meat and sausages.

Great Home Remedies For Psoriasis

Regular soaking helps reduce itching and redness of lesions. Take care the water is tepid and not hot. Moisturize your skin and prevent it from drying. Thick moisturizers such as Eucerin, Aquaphor and Neutrogena Norwegian formula hand cream are very useful. Cheaper alternatives such as cooking oils and petroleum jelly is equally effective. Take care with your medications. Choose your soaps carefully. Mild soaps such as Basis, Alpha keri, Purpose, Nivea cream bar and Oilatum are good for skin. Soap free cleansers such as Lowila cake, Aveeno cleaning bar and pHisoderm Dry skin formula may prove beneficial.

Photo Credit: Ajewelrystyle.com

Use skin products carefully, avoid skin injuries, reduce your weight and contact your doctor at the earliest sign of infection such as sore throat. Some home remedies which are very effective are olive oil, Epsom salts and aloe jell. If you have the psoriasis on the scalp apply warm olive oil to the scalp gently to remove it. Add a handful of Epsom salt to your bath. It is very good for psoriasis. Applying aloe gel on the affected areas helps to clear psoriasis plaques.

New Research For Psoriasis

Scientists at the University of Michigan have found four new DNA hot spots which in the future may help guide new treatments for psoriasis. Scientists are working on the full catalog of psoriasis genes. When it is completed scientists hope to generate a psoriasis gene profile that predicts a person’s risk of developing the disease. This may result in more advanced medicines in the future and who knows a day may come and, maybe very soon when a cure for psoriasis is found. Hope is the essence of life. Have hope and live life to the fullest.