Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease characterized by scaling and inflammation.
Scaling occurs when cells in the outer layer of the skin reproduce faster than normal and pile up on the skin’s surface.
The disease PSORIASIS occurs in all age groups and about equally in men and women.
However, it primarily affects adults.
People with psoriasis may suffer discomfort, including pain and itching, restricted motion in their joints, and emotional distress.
In its most typical form, psoriasis results in patches of thick, red skin covered with silvery scales.
These patches, which are sometimes referred to as plaques, usually itch and may burn.
The skin at the joints may crack.
Recent research indicates that Psoriasis is likely a disorder of the immune system.
In about one third of the cases psoriasis is inherited.
There are several forms of psoriasis.
The most common form is plaque psoriasis (its scientific name is psoriasis vulgaris).
In plaque psoriasis, lesions have a reddened base covered by silvery scales.
Guttate psoriasis : Small, drop-like lesions appear on the trunk, limbs, and scalp.
Guttate psoriasis is most often triggered by bacterial infections.
Pustular psoriasis : Blisters of noninfectious pus appear on the skin.
Attacks of pustular psoriasis may be triggered by medications, infections, emotional stress, or exposure to certain chemicals.
Inverse psoriasis : Large, dry, smooth, vividly red plaques occur in the folds of the skin near the genitals, under the breasts, or in the armpits.
Inverse psoriasis is related to increased sensitivity to friction and sweating and may be painful or itchy.
Erythrodermic psoriasis : Widespread reddening and scaling of the skin is often accompanied by itching or pain.
Erythrodermic psoriasis may be precipitated by severe sunburn, use of oral steroids or a drug related rash.
Doctors generally treat psoriasis in steps based on the severity of the disease, the extent of the areas involved, the type of psoriasis, or the patient’s responsiveness to initial treatments.
This is sometimes called the 1 2 3 approach.
In step 1, medicines are applied to the skin (topical treatment).
Step 2 focuses on light treatments (phototherapy).
Step 3 involves taking medicines internally, usually by mouth (systemic treatment).
People with psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, then improves.
Conditions that may cause flareups include changes in climate, infections, stress, and dry skin.
Also, certain medicines, most notably beta-blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure, and lithium or drugs used to treat depression, may trigger an outbreak or worsen the disease.
Doctors usually diagnose Psoriasis after a careful examination of the skin.
A pathologist may assist with diagnosis by examining a small skin sample (biopsy) under a microscope.
Over time, affected skin can become resistant to treatment, especially when topical corticosteroids are used.
Doctors commonly use a trial and error approach to find a treatment that works, and they may switch treatments periodically.
Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative
This book proves that Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, as well as Eczema, can be alleviated, controlled and even healed in a natural way; that is, without the use of drugs, steroid creams, tar baths or even ultra-violet light.
The book views psoriasis, as well as eczema, as originating in the intestinal tract. Looked at from the inside out, rather than from the outside in, a whole new approach to the disease evolves. This concept identifies the problem as a build up of toxins (poisons) in the system which make their way out through the skin, but does not originate in the skin. Dr. Pagano defines psoriasis as the external manifestation of the body's attempt to throw off internal toxins.
Because of thin, porous, intestinal walls these toxic elements "seep" through the walls of the intestine (now referred to as "The Leaky Gut Syndrome"), causing a pollution of the lymphatic and blood circulatory system.
The body then attempts to rid itself of these toxins by expelling them through the sweat glands. Dr. Pagano further emphasizes that a proper DIET and adequate ELIMINATIONS are a major part of the solution. This book proves the efficacy of this theory by documented case histories, patient affidavits and striking before and after photographs....amazon. Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative