Psoriasis is a long-lasting autoimmune disease characterized by patches of abnormal skin. These skin patches are typically red, itchy, and scaly. They may vary in severity from small and localized to complete body coverage. It is non-infectious and non-contagious. It is often seen in people between 15 to 40 yrs of age.
Symptoms of Psoriasis
Some of the common symptoms of psoriasis are :
- Raised, red patches of skin topped with loose, silvery scales, usually on the knees or elbows
- Thick, red patches known as plaques, and dry, silvery scales appearing on the scalp, face, elbows, knees, palms, and soles of the feet.
- Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
- Joint swelling, tenderness, and pain
- Thickened, pitted or ridged nails
Psoriasis is generally thought to be a genetic disease, which is triggered by environmental factors. Symptoms often worsen during winter and with certain medications such as beta blockers( Blood pressure medicines) and NSAIDs (type of pain killers) Infections and psychological stress may also play a role.
According to Ayurveda Psoriasis can be considered as the vitiation of Vata and Kapha dosha.Uneven and unhealthy food habits, consumption of foodstuffs in the wrong combination (Example: dairy products with fish or chicken), too much intake of yogurt, black gram, seafood, excesses of sour and salted food stuffs, etc. can trigger the psoriasis inducing pathogenesis. Other catalysts that cause psoriasis includes stress, alcohol, and tobacco consumption
Treatment
There is no cure for psoriasis in modern medicine. However, various treatments can help control the symptoms. These treatments may include steroids, Vitamin D3 and immune system suppressing medications. However, Psoriasis can be effectively treated through Ayurvedic Rejuvenation and detoxification therapies.
CASE STUDY
Erythrodermic psoriasis
A 62 yrs old female patient known case of Erythrodermic psoriasis, cervical spondylosis, Osteoporosis, Cardiac pace maker came with complaints of Psoriatic rashes all over body, stress, Insomnia, apathy, anorexia, hyperacidity, multiple joint pain, cervical pain, headaches.
History of present illness- Patient has been suffering from psoriasis since 30 yrs. Had tried all sorts of medicines from various doctors around the world, but nothing seemed to help her condition. Even she had used local as well as oral steroids for her condition, which had helped her for a while, however after 6 month she had developed very sever psoriatic rashes all over the body including scalp. Having lost hope in modern medicine patient had decided to go for Ayurvedic treatments.
Treatment-
As Stress plays very important role in aggravating the psoriasis condition, treatment was started with Shirodhara therapy for 7 days. After Shirodhara therapy scaling, redness and size of skin rashes went down, there was remarkable reduction in itching and irritability of skin. After 7 days, 11-days Purgation therapy was given.Purgation helped to detoxify whole body system, removing dead cell and inflammatory mediators responsible for inflammation and thickness of Psoriatic skin rashes. Patient was kept on oral medication for 1 yr; this was associated with diet changes and exercise. Within one year patient got free from 30 yr old erythrodermic psoriasis.
Below are the photos showing effect Ayurvedic treatment on psoriatic patches before and after therapy-
Ayurveda Kenya