Natural Treatments for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that affects millions of Americans. Its symptoms include redness and itchiness. The affected skin areas become thick with whitish flakes of skin. Most often, this disease affects the scalp, the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, knees, elbows, and the lower back. Although a cure hasn’t been found yet for this skin disease, the symptoms can be relieved by using natural treatments for Psoriasis.

Typically, a doctor will prescribe Cortisone to treat the symptoms. While Cortisone can help for awhile, a person’s body can easily become resilient to this steroid. Prolonged use of Cortisone can also cause unwanted side effects. These can include irreversible thinning of the skin, rashes, stretch marks, bruising, enlarged blood vessels, and a susceptibility to infections.

Although the exact causes of Psoriasis are still unknown, medical research has concluded that it’s partly caused by a disorder of the immune system. Therefore, when you start natural treatments for Psoriasis, you should take a good look at your diet first. Your diet should consist of eating plenty of fresh, vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables. Cut out, or at least reduce, your intake of refined sugar and white flour. And, take a good quality multi-vitamin every day.

Eating fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines at least two times a week will help provide your body with Omega-3 fatty acids. These acids help relieve inflammation. Studies have shown that foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids have helped people who suffer from chronic Psoriasis.

Applying moisturizing creams to skin that’s affected by Psoriasis won’t heal this disorder. But, at least, certain moisturizers can be an effective treatment to relieve the symptoms. Vitamin E oil, for one, is a natural treatment for Psoriasis.

Rubbing Vitamin E directly on the affected skin will help moisturize and heal the skin. This natural oil will also help prevent scarring.

If you like to eat chili peppers, they are another natural treatment for Psoriasis. Chili peppers contain capsaicin. Capsaicin is the component that gives chili peppers their hotness. It’s been shown to be effective in relieving the inflammation and itchiness of skin areas that are affected by Psoriasis.

Capsaicin is also the main ingredient in over-the-counter creams such as Capzasin-P™ and Icy Hot™. It’s an effective, yet natural, pain reliever too.

Another natural treatment for Psoriasis is, believe-it-or-not, plain old sunshine. Cover the rest of your exposed skin with sunblock. But, leave the areas of the skin that are affected by Psoriasis uncovered. Sit or lie in the sunshine for short periods every day. If you spend too long in the sun, your skin can burn. Overexposure can also cause skin cancer. So don’t overdo it.

Using natural treatments for Psoriasis can actually reduce or eliminate the symptoms without causing adverse side effects. They are usually less expensive as well. Check with your doctor before you try any natural treatment to make sure it is right for you. And remember, just like prescription drugs, not all natural treatments will work for everyone.