About Psoriasis

Introduction
Psoriasis is not a contagious disease; the exact cause of the disease has not yet been identified. This disease affects the young and the old alike, but women past their menopause appear to be more commonly affected. Chronic gastro intestinal affections, lung diseases & prolonged intake of certain potent drugs predispose individuals to this disease. Stress, mental tension, anxiety and issues that affect one’s sub-conscious, high levels of excitement are also predisposing factors. The brain is affected by excess anxiety, loneliness and attempts to solve problems in solitude & this stimulates the autonomies nervous system, which results in excess sweat, itching, thickening of skin, scale formation, rashes & other such skin affection.

Symptoms
Symptoms include enormous amounts of dandruff, admixed with little quantities of blood, inflammation of the joints, swollen limbs, incessant itching in the palm & rear of the palm, scales all over the skin, & dropping of the scales, insomnia, anxiety and preference to remain in solitude.

Diagnosis
The disease can be discerned from chronic dandruff followed by greyish patches on the skin in the joints of the limbs, in the back, neck, itching in the affected areas, dropping of scales & pain on scratching the patch. The patches may be found all over the body & might even affect the nails. Locomotion itself might become difficult for a few patients. The spread of the rashes may be gradual or fast. This may not respond to standard & usual medication.

Chronic psoriasis may result in the induration of the skin with scales all over. Skin becomes dry too. The scales appear to form a coat over the body, resulting in the flexibility of the body being lost and hence normal locomotion becomes an ordeal. Swollen joints, inflammation of founts (Arthritis) is a common sequale and is called as psonatic arthritis, which in severe cases results in deformities of the fingers.

Home Remedies
Home remedies include application of coconut oil admixed with leaves of vetpalai and treated by exposure to sunrays for a few days.

Dietary Practices
Dietary restrictions include a complete banning of fatty foods such as cheese, oil ghee, beef etc. Plenty of milk and a carrot a day helps. Fishes (small fishes) are also found useful. Protein rich diet in general is good. During medication Agathi leaves & better gourd must be avoided.
Mental relaxation techniques, sharing emotions with near & dear ones, meditation, faith & belief in God are measures that help prevent psoriasis.

Treatment
Holistic approach using Siddha, acupuncture, ayurveda medicines will most certainly cure Psoriasis, irrespective of the duration of the disease or its response to allopathic medicines.