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Psoriasis is one of the most stubborn skin
diseases. It is an inflammatory disease characterised by
thick, red, silvery, scaled patches of skin. This disease
affects both sexes equally. It may appear at any age but
most often at the age ranging from 15 to 30 years. It is,
however, rare in infancy and old age. Psoriasis is not
contagious.
There are two main types of psoriasis, acute and chronic
There are many patients who have chronic psoriatic
lesions on the elbows and knees. They suffer from acute
outbursts from time to time, when the disease affects
large areas of the body. Others have a few chronic
lesions at the affected sites and never suffer from
severe outbursts. There are many degrees of severity
between these two extremes.
It is estimated that between one and four per cent of the
world’s population may have visible psoriasis at any
one time. There is a higher incidence of this disease
among the inhabitants of cold damp countries like Iceland
than those of a dry warm climate. The most commonly
affected areas are usually those shaded from the sun by
hair or clothing. It would thus appear that a psoriatic
skin requires an abnormal amount of exposure to sunlight.Symptoms
Generally,
the skin of the person suffering from psoriasis appears
red and irritated and may be covered with bright silvery
scales. The scales are composed of thin layers of dead
abnormal skin cells. Sometimes there is itching. Areas
usually involved are elbows, knees, the skin behind the
ears, trunk and scalp. It mostly appears first at the
back of the elbows and the front of the knees.
The disease may also affect the underarm and genital
areas. In some cases, it may be restricted to the scalp,
where it is often confused with dandruff. The lesions
vary from one or two small localised patches to an
extensive spread over the body. Quite often, they are
discs from half an inch to several inches in size. IN
severe cases, it may disfigure almost the whole body,
which can adversely affect the skin’s ability to
control the body’s temperature and thereby prove
greatly hazardous. The lesions of psoriasis are always
dry and rarely become infected.
Causes
The modern
medical system has not been able to establish the exact
cause of psoriasis. The main cause of the disease appears
to be the faulty utilisation of fats. It has been noted
that persons with this abnormality have excessive amounts
of cholesterol in their skin and blood. Recent studies
have shown that psoriasis involves an abnormality in the
mechanism in which the skin grows and replaces itself.
This abnormality is related to the metabolism of amino
acids, the protein chemicals which are nature’s
basic building blocks for the reproduction of cell
tissues.
Heredity also plays a role in the development of
psoriasis as it tends to occur in families. About 30 per
cent of the patients have a family history of the
disease. Occasionally it misses a generation and then
appears in some members of the next one.
The factors that aggravate or precipitate the outbreak of
psoriasis are injury to skin in the form of cuts, burns,
minor abrasions, changes in the seasons, defective kidney
elimination, infections and the use of certain medicines
for the treatment of other diseases. Chronic psoriasis is
occasionally linked with deep repressed emotional factors
and severity and chronicity of the erruptions depend on
the psychological state of the patient.
Dietary
Treatment
Since
psoriasis is a metabolic disease, a cleansing juice fast
for about two weeks is always desirable in the beginning
of treatment. Carrots, beets, cucumbers and grapes may be
used for juices. Juices of citrus fruits should be
avoided. A warm water enema should be used daily to
cleanse the bowels during the fast.
After the juice fast, the patient should adopt the diet
of three basic food groups, namely seeds, nuts and
grains, vegetables and fruits, with emphasis on raw seeds
and nuts especially sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds,
sunflower seeds and plenty of organically grown raw
vegetables and fruits. In this regimen, the breakfast may
consist of fresh fruit such as apples, grapes, pears,
peaches, pineapples and a handful of raw nuts or a couple
of tablespoons of raw seeds. A large bowl of fresh green
vegetable salad, and sprouts may be taken for lunch and
dinner may consist of steamed vegetables and whole wheat
chappatis.
After noticeable improvement, goat’s milk , yogurt
and home made cottage cheese may be added to the diet.
Juice fast may be repeated after four weeks on the diet.
All animal fats, including milk, butter , and eggs should
be avoided. Refined or processed foods and foods
containing hydrogenerated fats or white sugar , all
condiments, tea, coffee, alcohol and tobacco should also
be avoided.
Lecithin has proved effective in the treatment of
psoriasis. The disease has also been helped by vitamins A
and B6. The patient should take the three tablespoons of
granular lecithin daily along with all nutrients needed
to help the liver produce its own lecithin. He should
also take generous amounts of vitamins C, E and
B-complex.
The hot Epsom salt bath is highly beneficial in the
treatment of psoriasis. Three full baths should be taken
weekly until the trouble begins to subside. The number of
baths thereafter may be reduced to two weekly and finally
to one. Regular sea water baths and application of sea
water externally over the affected parts once a day are
also beneficial.
In many cases, psoriasis responds well to sunlight. The
affected parts should be frequently exposed to the sun.
The patient should undertake plenty of regular exer- cise
in fresh air, especially exposing the affected parts and
deep breathing exercises. He should avoid all nervous
tensions and should have adequate rest.
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