“Psoriasis” is a disorder which affects the skin and joints It commonly causes red scaly patches to appear on the skin. The scaly patches caused by psoriasis, called psoriatic plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites and takes on a silvery-white appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area including the scalp and genitals.
The disorder is a chronic recurring condition which varies in severity from minor localised patches to complete body coverage. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as Psoriatic Arthritis. Ten to fifteen percent of people with Psoriasis have Psoriatic Arthritis.
The cause of Psoriasis is not known, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Several factors are thought to aggravate psoriasis. These include stress, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. Individuals with psoriasis may suffer from depression and loss of Self-Esteem. As such, quality of life is an important factor in evaluating the severity of the disease.
There are 5 types of Psoriasis on the Basis of Appearance. They are:
- Plague Psoriasis (Common type seen in Adults);
- Guttate Psoriasis (Seen in Children & Adolescents);
- Pustular Psoriasis (Rare Type and Life Thretening);
- Erythrodermic Psoriasis
- Inverse Psoriasis (Seen in the folds like Armpits, Groins etc.)
Consequences of Psoriasis:
- A main characteristic feature of this disease is that it goes into remission spontaneously and just as suddenly relapses, usually in one year interval.
- This disease usually spreads in a cold and humid environment.
- It becomes a chronic condition after 6th or 7th atack.
- If not treated properly, Psoriasis may cause many complications such as: Swelling in the Joints; Joint Pains and they become curved; Spreads to whole body.
According to Ayurveda, Psoriasis (Sidhma Kushtam, Kitibha Kushtam & Charmakhya Kushtam) occurs due to vitiation of Vata and Kapha doshas. The reasons are Incompatible Food, Accumulation of Toxins etc.
Treatment for Psoriasis according to Ayurveda aims at the Detoxification of the body or elimination of Toxins (Dooshi Visham) from the body fluids by means of Speciality Treatments called "Panchakarma chikitsa." It goes through several stages viz. Abhayangam (Oil Massage),Snehapanam (Taking medicated ghee), Elakizhi (Leaf Bundle Massage), Vamana (Induced Vomiting), Takra Dhara (Medicated Butter Milk poured continuously on the hair bearing area and a gentle massage is done),Pizhichil (Oil Bath with 3 litres of Oil), Siro Vasti (keeping oil on head) and other Vastis (enemas which include Kashaya vasthi, Anuvasana Vasthi Etc.), Virechanam(Purgation), Raktha Mokshanam (Blood Letting) and Lepanam (Application of Ointments).
Researched internal medicines (Shamana Chikitsa)mainly are used for Cleansing the Blood (Raktha Sodhana); to restore the balance of the aggravated doshas.
In conclusion we would like to assure Psoriasis-affected persons that a Controlled, Balanced, Nutritious Diet, Stress Free Living and a well thought out Ayurvedic Treatments supported by Yoga and Pranayama will be the path to Freedom from Psoriasis.
Milk; Curd; Dairy Products; Sugarcane Products; New Rice right after harvesting; Fish; Meat; Too much Salt in Diet; Acid Fruits & Foods; Vinegar; Too much of Oily foods; Over Eating; Sleeping during the day especially right after Meal; Withholding Natural Urges; Swimming after Sunbath etc are to be Avoided by a Psoriasis Patient.
Barley; Whole Wheat Bread; Honey; Eggs Brown Rice; Beans; Oranges; Green Vegetables; Sweet and Astringent Fruits; Ghee, Butter and Cheese; Boiled and Filtered Water to Drink; Tea, Coffee etc are Advised or Recommended Food and Dietary Habits A Psoriasis Patient should follow.
Prevention of Psoriasis:
Cleanliness of hands, Nails and Washing hands after every work is a must. Contamination of eatables with Insects or Rats should be avoided; Viruddha Ahara(Incompatible Foods) are to be Avoided; the use of Sweet, Sour and Salty foods, Milk Products should be Moderate; Very heavy Meal and opposite to it, Hot Drink right after cold Drink or opposite of it is not good for all the Skin Diseases.