Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that causes excess and rapid growth of skin cells, characterized by flaking, redness and inflammation of the skin. Psoriasis often appears on the skin as red, scaly patches that itch and sometimes bleed. They can occur on different body parts, more commonly on hands, knees, legs, scalp and elbow area. Psoriasis is however not contagious.
Psoriasis is more common than one might suspect with nearly 3% of the total population suffering from this chronic disease. There exist Five types of psoriasis- plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. Plague psoriasis is the most common of them all which appears as red, raised patches.
What Triggers Psoriasis?
While the exact cause of psoriasis is indefinite, it is known that genetics and the immune system play a large role in the developing of the disease. There are other triggering factors as well that contribute to the same.
Stress: Chronic stress for a prolonged period of time triggers the chances of psoriasis. It is observed that when people are high on stress, their psoriasis seem to worsen.
Troubled Skin: Skin injuries such as cuts, bug bites, bruises, and infection are another reason for psoriasis to play as a host and flare up on the body.
Medications: Some medications also make psoriasis worse, including lithium, high blood pressure and heart medicines.
Smoking and Alcohol: Lighting up cigarettes and heavy drinking doubles up the risk and symptoms of getting the condition. Smoking is closely linked with pustular psoriasis, which is hard to treat and it mainly affects the palm of your hands and soles of your feet.
Ayurveda and Psoriasis: How Ayurveda Explain Psoriasis
Ayurveda is an ancient medical practice of healing which focuses on a holistic approach to improve your condition. Ayurveda originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. Ayurvedic medicine features remedy and treatments that have been used to take care of psoriasis. Ayurveda describes psoriasis as a chronic disease called Kushtharoga. It says that psoriasis arises due to an imbalance of two doshas known as “Vata” and “Kapha”. The energy imbalance creates toxins in the body, which leads to psoriasis.
Treatment
Although psoriasis is not curable, it can be managed and controlled with some effective Ayurvedic and natural remedies.
1. Meditation and Exercises
Ayurveda is all about finding the right balance between the doshas, environment, body and the universe. Mediation is a known way to reduce stress and anxiety and create balance between the three elements. Exercises like Pranayam also help to improve the symptoms.
2. Dietary Changes
Ayurveda also advocates for a healthy diet and lifestyle. It rejects combining opposite foods- hot and cold; extreme foods that are too salty or too sweet, too sour or too acidic. It is important to listen to your body, feed it what it required to sustain.
3. Topical Solutions
Ayurveda provides topical preparations for relief from psoriasis, turmeric being one of them. The usage of turmeric in ayurveda is one of the most widely followed methods for various ailments. Due to its anti-inflammatory, applying turmeric paste to the affected area results in moderate to acceptable levels improvements in some cases and significant improvement in severe patients.
Another miraculous herb is aloe vera. Applying the natural gel of aloe vera has shown to heal 25 out 30 patients. Using fresh Banana leaf is an alternative as well.
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