Some people tend to overlook the fact that the skin is your body’s largest organ in terms
of size, and that it performs vital functions such as retaining body fluids,
avoiding dehydration and shutting out harmful microbes. Moreover, your skin is
one of the most visible body parts that typically come into contact with your
surroundings.
Maintaining skin health and keeping it
well nourished may work wonders not just for your body, but for your confidence
too. Unfortunately, there are certain conditions, like psoriasis and eczema,
that can severely affect your skin not just on a physical level but from an
emotional standpoint as well.
Psoriasis and eczema can be incredibly
difficult to treat. In western medicine and holistic medicine alike, treating
the skin can be a confounding and complex journey.
Our body’s skin normally takes about 30
days to shed and be replaced by new skin. (This cycle is ongoing and never
stops). The problem for psoriasis sufferers is that this shedding cycle only
takes about 4 days instead of 30, so you get a quick build-up of dead skin
cells on the surface of the skin. This fast-paced skin cell proliferation
usually occurs in patches over the body, so you don’t end up with a complete
covering. The worst affected areas are normally the scalp, knees, elbows,
knuckles and lower back.
Here are some tips to help you choose
holistic options that actually work:
Treat from the inside
out: It’s very rare that
psoriasis or eczema can be managed with topical treatment. True healing comes
from within. In our holistic dermatology practice at our clinics, we prescribe
customised remedies to be taken internally. Topical creams, washes or salves
certainly help, but only temporarily, only to reappear in aggravated form once
the local cream is stopped. Hence they are all together to be avoided in our experience
in treating skin ailments.
Whether using homeopathy, herbal medicine
or supplements, make sure that internal therapies lay the foundation for your
treatment plan.
Reduce Stress: Stress is also known to play a big role in psoriasis, which is
why mind-body therapies and stress management can really help heal psoriasis.
Prayer, meditation and hypnosis can all help. Studies actually show that people
who meditate have better outcomes.
Use nature-based
substances: Apply nature-based topical remedies like
coconut oil. Dermatologists advise that moisturising skin is the most important
treatment for psoriasis. When your skin is dry, symptoms worsen. The drawback
to buying moisturising creams is that the cost can drain your funds. This is
especially the case when psoriasis is widespread.
Also, creams can be greasy. The oils in some ointments clog skin
pores, causing acne and allergic reactions.
Coconut oil has five restorative qualities
that can be very beneficial for psoriasis:
Non-Allergenic: Virgin oil doesn’t block pores. Even on sensitive skin, it will
not cause allergic reactions.
Efficiently Absorbed: Fatty acids comprise the outer layer of skin cells. Since
they’re identical to the fatty acids in coconut oil, your skin quickly absorbs
them. They restore moisture better than any other oil, without leaving a greasy
residue.
Nourishing: Coconut oil is 90 per cent saturated fat. The fatty structure of
coconut oil is beneficial for psoriasis, boosting the function of your immune
system.
Antiseptic: About half the saturated fat is lauric acid, with antibacterial,
anti-fungal, and antiviral properties. Capric acid is antimicrobial, helping to
protect against infection. Monoglyceride is antiseptic as well.
Anti-Inflammatory: Coconut oil smooths skin by exfoliating layers of dead cells and
making connective tissue strong and supple.
Try Other Alternative Treatments: Homeopathy is another natural remedy shown
to improve psoriasis. Studies have shown that homeopathic treatment of
psoriasis patients results in improved symptoms and overall quality of life.
If you’re a fan of Ayurvedic medicine, you may want to try
Panchakarma therapy, which involves plant-based remedies and dietary changes
aimed at detoxifying the body. A vegetarian diet is often recommended as well.
Homeopathy speaks of a direction of cure while treating
psoriasis i.e the lesions on the skin should disappear in a certain way:
Above downwards: Lesions on the head must always clear
first while those on the legs should be the last to disappear.
More destructive
lesions should disappear first: If a psoriasis
patient suffers from cracks along with scaling, the cracking of the shin should
be the first to decrease.
Exteriorisation of
toxins: During the treatment of this auto immune
disease, the patient might suffer from trivial complaints like mild runny nose,
mild diarrhoea which usually heal when left alone. Interference in treating
these trivial complaints with other systems of medicine without the consent of
the doctor treating the psoriasis only further delays the healing process.
The last piece of advice for every patient is to never lose
hope, never let the disease take over your hope.
The writers, Dr S Martins MD and Dr D Martins MD, are
consultants at VitaNova Clinics
