How to treat psoriasis at home?

24 December 2020

Psoriasis is one of the most misunderstood diseases. The cause and cure of this disease are uncertain. It is believed that a complete cure from psoriasis is impossible, so the main goal of treatment is to obtain stable long-term remission and reduce the frequency of exacerbations. Since this disease requires correction of nutrition, lifestyle, and systematic use of drugs and non-drug preparations, psoriasis is mainly treated at home.

Causes and signs of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic disease with a recurrent course. The disease can affect various organs and tissues, but the main manifestation of psoriasis is dermatology. The red lesions fall on the skin and tend to expand and combine with each other. Their surface is covered with gray scales, which are easily scraped off, revealing moist bright spots, with "blood dew" underneath.

The most common locations for psoriatic plaques are the knees and elbows, the scalp, the area behind the ears, and the lower back. The rash is most often accompanied by itching, tightness and discomfort in the affected area.

The appearance of psoriasis is related to stress, and recent infectious diseases, allergies, and endocrine pathologies, but according to many experts, it is based on genetic defects. Any of the above factors is the "triggering factor" of the mechanism that triggers the abnormal response of the "body" to external stimuli.

Due to failure, the division process of epidermal cells is disrupted. Compared with the usual cycle, the death and peeling rate of surface cells increases 4-5 times. As a result, the scales that have no time to peel off naturally form hard growth-plaque.

Rules for treating psoriasis at home

The treatment of psoriasis includes two aspects:

Symptomatic-Eliminate the acute symptoms of the disease (external medication, antihistamines, physical therapy);
Pathogenicity:Diet, body desensitization, cleansing measures, hormone therapy, etc.

In severe cases, treatment needs to be performed under fixed conditions, and severe hormone drugs and basic therapies can be used. In the rest of the time, the patient himself struggles with the disease, choosing the most effective method through trial and error.

Psoriasis is a disease without a cookie-cutter solution. Therapies that are suitable for one patient may aggravate the condition of other patients. A separate approach is needed more than ever, but to successfully treat psoriasis at home, some general principles should be followed:

Listen to your body. Apart from you, no one can find out all the factors that cause psoriasis to worsen and find effective medicines for your plaque.
It is recommended to conduct self-treatment under the guidance of a dermatologist. Don't give up the tests, procedures and medications prescribed by experts.
Psoriasis is relatively mild, and good results can be achieved by eliminating irritating factors and using non-drug therapies (including folk remedies). If the manifestation of the disease is very obvious and psoriasis develops, then strictly in accordance with the doctor's prescription, may require "heavy shots" in the form of hormones and cytostatics.
Consistency and regularity are important in the treatment of psoriasis. When the first result appears, you cannot stop using effective remedies. Most drugs require a long process, first treatment, then "fixation".
It is important to maintain normal skin moisture, avoid scratching, trauma and improper removal of crusty skin. Plaques can only be removed after initial softening and without effort.
Many treatments cannot be used in the acute phase. Sun exposure, climate change, spa procedures, some ointments should only be used at the beginning of the stationary period.

Psoriasis treatment: how to apply plaque?

The most popular and effective treatment for psoriasis is medicated ointments and creams. Many topical preparations have serious side effects and must be used with caution. This is especially true for hormonal ointments, but when it comes to non-hormonal drugs, it is best to consult a doctor and strictly follow the recommendations for use.

Hormone ointment

Hormonal drugs in the treatment of psoriasis have been shown to have persistent skin symptoms that resist other treatments. The advantage of these drugs is that they work quickly. In fact, the patient’s condition is improving before our eyes, but this effect is deceptive. After stopping use, the plaque not only returns, but also becomes tighter. Hormonal ointment is addictive, and long-term use can damage the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system, thinning and atrophy of the skin. People are also worried that hormone-based drugs will "drive" psoriasis into the body, which will manifest itself in a more serious form-psoriatic arthritis.

Addiction and withdrawal effects make hormonal ointments a bad treatment. If possible, it is recommended to avoid using them. If necessary, please use it for a short time and then cancel it gradually.

Nowadays, the treatment of psoriasis uses several types of drugs:

Triamcinolone ointment.They have antihistamine, antipruritic effect and can relieve inflammation. They can cause local reactions, changes in skin structure, and shrinkage.
Products containing the active ingredient flumethasone.Reduce itching and have anti-exudation effect. It negatively affects the skin and can cause systemic diseases over time.
Hydrocortisone ointment.Reduce capillary permeability and reduce the swelling of affected lesions, but long-term use has the risk of systemic diseases.
Preparations based on betamethasone.They have anti-inflammatory and anti-exudation effects. Inhibit epithelial cells to accelerate the peeling process. Skin diseases and systemic problems are possible.

Non-steroidal drugs

Non-hormonal ointments are the preferred treatment for psoriasis. Their effects are not as fast and strong as hormones, but their effects are longer and longer lasting. Non-steroid ointments can be used for a long time without worrying about the development of addiction and negative consequences.

In psoriasis, drugs with different ingredients and different effects are used, many of which are combined with each other. Main categories of smear ointment:

Salicylic acid.The acid in it can soften plaques and help cleanse the skin. Reduce inflammation and act as an antiseptic. Remedial measures are usually prescribed to eliminate scale, and then another measure of medicinal ingredients is used to treat the affected area.
Zinc.Dry rashes, reduce inflammation and skin irritation, and form a protective film to prevent negative effects from the outside world on the affected area.
Tar.Birch, pine, coal tar and other ointments have anti-inflammatory and disinfecting effects. They stimulate blood circulation and improve the healing of damaged skin. To get rid of dental plaque, you can add pure tar while doing some remedies yourself. Tar ointments are less tolerated, so they start to be applied to small areas in the test mode. With good tolerance, increase the dose. Tar will increase the photosensitivity of the skin and cause sun allergy in summer.
D strengthening ointment.Calcipotriol-based preparations have proven their advantages in the treatment of psoriasis. They inhibit proliferation, reduce plaque and prevent its reappearance. They do not cause the shrinking process. If effective, they can provide stable relief. It is recommended to be used with UV therapy, and it is contraindicated to use with salicylic acid ointment.
Oil-based ointment.Remove plaque, relieve itching and inflammation, but it needs to be used carefully. As sensitivity increases, it can cause psoriasis, a deterioration of the skin manifestations of dermatophytosis. These funds are prohibited from being used for patients with anemia and kidney disease. The treatment of these drugs is carried out outside the worsening stage.
Vitamin products.Vitamin-containing ointment can activate the skin's metabolism process, restore tissue nutrition, promote regeneration, eliminate peeling, and slow down cell keratinization. Retinoids and tandem preparations based on vitamins E and A have this characteristic.
Solid ointment.An effective drug with obvious anti-inflammatory, stratum corneum dissolution and antipruritic effects. Penetrates deep into the skin and normalizes the skin's metabolism. They have been used for a long time without allergies. These ointments cannot be mixed with hormone ointments, and alcohol should be avoided during treatment.

Psoriasis: Treatment from the inside

It is difficult to cope with the manifestations of psoriasis only with external medication. Action must also be taken from within: desensitize, improve digestion.

During the worsening period, antihistamines can help relieve itching and eliminate the influence of predisposing factors. In addition to anti-allergic effects, the drug also has a sedative effect.
The detoxification of the body is done with the help of adsorbents.
It is recommended to use enzymes to improve digestion.
In psoriasis, liver support is important: take hepatoprotective agents during treatment.
"Psoriasis" requires calmness. Stress is one of the factors that trigger psoriasis. The disease itself can cause nervous system problems: nervousness, insomnia, etc. It is recommended to use herbal tranquilizers.
NSAID can help relieve the joint pain of psoriasis.

The appearance of infection foci in the body can cause psoriasis to worsen. Acute infections and inflammatory diseases must be treated with antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor.

How to treat scalp psoriasis at home: features

ICH psoriasis is the most troublesome for patients. It is more difficult to treat than bare skin because the presence of hair requires special treatment methods and the use of special methods.

Methods of treating psoriasis at home include shampoos, medications and other methods. Skin lesions can be mild, in the form of individual spots, or severe. In difficult situations, the head is covered by the so-called "crown" or "helmet"-a hard, itchy and flaky psoriasis sc, mainly along the hair growth borders of the forehead, behind the ears, and neck.

Under no circumstances should you comb and "pick up" dry crusts. They need to use a special keratin shampoo to soften the cleansing mask, and then gently remove excess scales from the skin.

Wash your hair frequently to treat psoriasis. It is best to use a special or neutral shampoo. The second category includes children and adult products for sensitive skin. They are free of fragrances, dyes and other harmful ingredients.

You can use medicated shampoo:

Tar.These products contain coal tar, which gives them a dark color and specific smell. These shampoos are not well tolerated and therefore need to be tested. Medicinal cosmetics are sold in pharmacies.
Zinc.They contain zinc pyridone, which can remove dead skin from the scalp and reduce its number, reducing itching. When allantoin (an emollient ingredient) is added to shampoo, it helps relieve dry skin and repair damage faster. Some drugs have been designed to treat dandruff, but they can be used to treat milder psoriasis.
Antifungal drugs.Ketoconazole shampoo can reduce flaking and itching, and destroy fungal infections on the scalp.

In psoriasis, it is recommended not to rinse off the shampoo immediately, but to keep it for a few minutes to a few hours so that the medicinal substance can penetrate deeper. The head should be rinsed gently without scratching the skin. After thoroughly rinsing off the shampoo, rinse with cold acetic acid water. Avoid using hair dryers.

Ordinary ointments are not suitable for lubricating dental plaque on the head. They are too greasy and sticky to wash well. It is best to buy medicines in the form of creams, lotions, emulsions or aerosols-many manufacturers produce their products in a form that is convenient for the treatment of ICH psoriasis.

With the help of folk remedies: masks and mouthwash, psoriasis was successfully treated at home.

Popular recipes:

To soften the crusty skin, rub a mixture of oil on the scalp: base oil (olive, cow) and essential oils (tea tree, rosemary, cypress), put on a hat and leave until morning;
Mix white or red clay with oil to make a paste, and spread it on the head overnight;
Rub the fresh onion juice into the skin;
Rinse with nettle and chamomile soup;
Mix grape, almond and coconut oil in a ratio of 1: 1: 2 (calculated by tablespoon), and add 1 teaspoon. Cognac and honey, a few drops of lavender oil, mix well in a water bath, and apply on the head for 2 hours;
Use sea salt and essential oils (eucalyptus, tea tree) to exfoliate the scalp-wipe and gently massage with your fingertips for 5 minutes, then wash your hair;
Prepare a mask: tallow, 2 egg yolks, marigold alcohol, a few drops of tar, and keep it for the first 2-3 hours.

Home treatment of nail psoriasis

When psoriasis affects nails, they become brittle, wavy and discolored. These nails should be protected from outside influences:

Wearing gloves to do homework;
Give up manicure;
Shorten your nails after soaking your nails in water;
Use protective varnish.

Home treatments for nail psoriasis include:

Receives vitamin and mineral complexes that strengthen the nail plate and protect cell membranes from damage (vitamin C, E, calcium).
Hormone ointment is the most effective for nail treatment. When glucocorticoids rub against the nail plate, they will not actually be absorbed by the skin and will not penetrate into the blood. Therefore, it is safe to use for 2 to 4 weeks.
To strengthen and moisturize nails, it is necessary to apply sea buckthorn oil (3 times a day) and oil-like vitamin A to sea buckthorn every day.
In order to whiten and strengthen the nail plate, it is recommended to use a warm water bath with corn starch or oatmeal powder, infused with celandine, nettle, and string.

Home remedies for psoriasis treatment

Herbal infusion is one of the most popular home remedies for psoriasis:

Boil a tablespoon in a thermos overnight. l. Flax seeds (per glass of water). Drink 2 tablets of activated charcoal before going to bed, infusion in the morning, and eat seeds. This recipe helps detox the body and helps reduce the intensity of disease symptoms.
Broth in the soup: the roots of Qianjin (10g), Calpo (12g), St. John's Wort (15g) and Celandine (5g). Brew 300ml of hot water in a thermos and leave it for 3 hours. Filter, 2 times a day, 100 ml each time.
4 holy l. Boil the plow seeds with one liter of water on low heat for 60 minutes. Add a tablespoon of filtering and drinking alcohol every hour, 4 times a day-relief.
Birch mushrooms (100g) are cooked in hot water overnight. In the morning, grind the Chaga, pour in the remaining water heated to 50 degrees, and let it sit for three days. Filter and take 100ml before each meal.

Effectively cleans plaque skin, relieves itching and soothes bathing:

A decoction containing sage, thin thread, celandine, St. John's wort;
and sea salt;
with blue clay;
with baking soda
and potato starch;
and turpentine.

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

To lubricate dental plaque, you can use fresh celandine juice or prepare an ointment: mix dried herbal powder with petroleum jelly or baby cream.

The tried-and-tested butter cream (5 servings) and propolis (1 serving). Put it in a water bath, mix well and cool. Lubricate dental plaque with hydrogen peroxide before use.

Psoriasis diet

Psoriasis is usually related to food allergies. Many patients know exactly which foods spoil them. Others believe that nutrition will not seriously affect their condition. In any case, it is recommended to stick to the diet at least during the deterioration period:

Exclude cocoa and chocolate;
No coffee;
Don’t eat spicy food;
Avoid using preservatives and other additives;
Restrict citrus fruits, red vegetables and fruits;
Drinking alcohol (especially beer) is completely prohibited.

In addition to aggravating the condition, you can use "harmful" products to expand your diet, but at the same time carefully monitor skin reactions.

Long-term relief can be achieved through diet, a healthy lifestyle and home remedies for psoriasis. However, if folk remedies are obviously of no avail, you should “surrender” the dermatologist and not give up the procedures and medicines provided by him. After relieving the worsening condition with the help of official drugs at home, it is easier to prevent relapse.