What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that impacts the body externally and internally, revealing itself in multiple organs including the skin, heart, muscles and bones.
Externally, the skin cells reproduce 7 times faster than normal skin, causing the skin to be thicker than normal. It is most easily recognized by red plaques with silvery scales. These plaques bleed easily when the scaling is scratched or picked off. Often these are on the arms, legs, hands, feet, elbows and knees.
Additionally, there is a long-term inflammation in the skin along with a mildly disrupted skin barrier which can often lead to chronic infection.
Suggestions to Help Psoriasis
- Use topical anti-inflammatory and barrier repair products
- Use a pH-balanced, antimicrobial cleanser that will not strip the skin barrier
- Maintain an anti-inflammatory/antioxidant diet
- Avoid chocolate, alcohol and caffeine
- Ensure your diet has high quality protein, such as eggs
Include “healthy” fats, such as omega-3 found in fish oil and almonds - Taking a daily multivitamin (with minerals), as well as oral Vitamin D (2,000 IU daily) and Vitamin B12 (1,000 IU daily) may be beneficial
- Taking flax and borage oil supplements, as well as probiotics (acidophilus), may be beneficial
- Moderate exercise is beneficial to reduce the immune imbalance (35 minutes, 5 times weekly)
- Phototherapy may be beneficial
- Harsh exfoliation, injury or infection worsens visible spots.
- If the plaques start to weep, you may need to begin taking antibiotics.
Psoriasis Treatments
Prescription treatment options such as corticosteroids, antibiotics, immunosuppressives and biologics are also available. Schedule an appointment to speak to one of our medical providers to see what treatment options are best for you.