7 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by well-defined red patches on the skin covered with silvery-white scales. In psoriasis, skin cells proliferate at a speed higher than normal. Skin cells normally grow and are shed every 28 to 30 days. In psoriasis, the skin cells start growing more rapidly – every 3 to 5 days. The skin is not able to shed the excessive cells as quickly as they appear on its surface. The result is a build-up of cells on the skin referred to as plaque.

Homeopathy offers the best natural treatment for autoimmune skin conditions including psoriasis. It has certain distinct advantages including the absence of any side effects and non-suppression of psoriasis. In psoriasis, a patient requires treatment that can control the indiscriminate skin cell proliferation. Homeopathy can successfully treat it exactly this way by optimizing the over-active immune system, hence curing it at its origin. In the traditional approach, corticosteroids are used topically and orally that might give an early result by suppressing active lesions but have side effects. Their use makes the condition more complex as on leaving these medicines, symptoms may reappear with severe worsening of the condition. So homeopathy can be a safe line of treatment for psoriasis as it uses non- suppressive medicines. It not only reduces the frequency and intensity symptoms like itching, flaking, cracks and aid healing of eruptions, but also prevents further spread of eruptions. It can also help in managing joint pains that can occur in cases of psoriasis. To attain desired results, one needs to understand that homeopathy works gradually and one has to be patient, as it is the key to curing such obstinate chronic autoimmune diseases.

Top 7 Homeopathic Medicines for Psoriasis

The top-ranked homeopathic medicines for psoriasis are Arsenic Album, Graphites Naturalis, Arsenic Iodatum, Sulphur, Petroleum Oleum, Sepia Succus and Antimonium Crudum.

1. Arsenic Album –For Dry eruptions with Silver Scales

The chief indicator for using Arsenic Album is the presence of dry, rough, red papular eruptions with scales on it. The scales are silver colored. The eruptions cover most parts of the body, except face and hands.

The eruptions spread rapidly and are accompanied by itching. Cold worsens the itching in most cases, while warmth seems to relieve it. Pain on the affected skin arises after scratching the eruptions. Bleeding spots also appear on the skin following scratching.

Restlessness is another symptom that may be present. Yet another symptom is marked anxiety that accompanies itchy eruptions.

Arsenic Album also works well in cases of guttate Psoriasis. In guttate Psoriasis, small rose coloured spots with scales appear.

When to use Arsenic Album?

This medicine is prominently indicated to manage dry, rough eruptions covered with silver scales.

How to use Arsenic Album?

This medicine can be taken just once a day in 30 C potency.

2. Graphites Naturalis – For Dry, Cracked Skin

Cases where Graphites Naturalis works well tend to have patches of sore, dry, rough skin with scales. An inclination to develop cracks on the surface may also be there. Following scratching, stickiness on the skin may appear.

Graphites Naturalis is also useful for cases of scalp Psoriasis. In such cases, eruptions with scales appear on the scalp. The scalp may be sore to touch, with distressing itching. One may also feel a burning sensation on the top of the head.  Eruptions on the scalp can also spread behind the ears. In cases of nail Psoriasis, the characteristic features are rough, thick and deformed nails.

When to use Graphites Naturalis?

This medicine is great choice for cases having dryness, roughness on skin with cracks.

How to use Graphites Naturalis?

The recommended dose of this medicine is Graphites Naturalis 3 X one tablet twice a day.

3. Arsenic Iodatum – For Shedding of Large Scales

Arsenic Iodatum is used when there is shedding of large scales from the skin eruptions. The skin is covered with inflamed patches with scales on them. There is persistent itching in the patches and the shedding of the scales leaves raw skin behind.

When to use Arsenic Iodatum?

Arsenic Iodatum is suggested for psoriasis with shedding of large scales.

How to use Arsenic Iodatum?

It is advised to take Arsenic Iodatum 30 C one time daily.

4. Sulphur – For Intense Itching and Burning

Sulphur helps in cases with severe itching and burning in the psoriatic skin lesions. A violent itching attends, and the person goes on scratching the skin until it bleeds. A burning sensation follows scratching. The itching is wandering, and changes place frequently. The skin is rough, scaly and gets painful after rubbing as if denuded. The symptoms tend to get worse in the evening and at night, when in bed. Sleep is disturbed because of the itching and burning sensation. Other accompanying symptoms are pricking, biting and sticking sensation in the eruptions. Sulphur is also a remedy for skin ailments with a history of excessive use of ointments in the past.

When to use Sulphur?

This medicine can be opted in cases of itching and burning in psoriasis cases.

How to use Sulphur?

Sulphur 30C should be taken in infrequent doses once or twice a week.

5. Petroleum Oleum – For Deep Cracks

Petroleum Oleum is a very suitable remedy for Psoriasis where deep cracks appear on the skin. There is a burning sensation and intolerable itching on the affected skin. Bleeding may also be present in the cracks. The skin is intensely sore, painful, hard, fissured and slow to heal. A crawling sensation on the skin may also attend over and above the given symptoms. Petroleum is also topmost on the list of most effective remedies for treating psoriasis cases that worsen during the winter.

When to use Petroleum Oleum?

It is beneficial for managing deep cracks on skin in psoriasis cases.

How to use Petroleum Oleum?

One may take this medicine in 30C power once or twice a day.

6. Sepia Succus – For Large Oval Lesions

Sepia Succus is a beneficial medicine for Psoriasis characterised by the presence of big oval lesions on the skin. The lesions are reddish papules and are isolated. There are shiny, whitish and adhesive scales present on the papules. Itching arises in the eruptions. On scratching, a burning sensation on the skin follows. The eruptions are present over the face, chest, back, arms and legs. In the case of limbs, the extensor surfaces are mostly involved.

When to use Sepia Succus?

Use of this medicine can be considered when there are large oval spots with shiny white scales on skin in psoriasis cases.

How to use Sepia Succus?

It is suggested to take this medicine in 30C potency once a day.

7. Antimonium Crudum – For Psoriasis of the Nails

Antimonium Crudum is an important remedy where the characteristic features are distorted and out of shape nails with discoloration, pitting or ridges on the nails. The nails are brittle and tend to break often. The skin underneath the nails is also painful and very sensitive.

When to use Antimonium Crudum?

Antimonium Crudum is suitable for cases of nail psoriasis with discolored nails or ridges on nails.

How to use Antimonium Crudum?

Antimonium Crudum can be repeated twice a day daily.

What causes Psoriasis?

In psoriasis, the body’s immune cells target the skin, majorly T cells, that causes skin inflammation and triggers rapid skin cell growth. A positive family history of psoriasis puts a person at high risk of developing the same condition. A few of the well-known triggers for psoriasis are stress, obesity, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, skin trauma and infection including strep throat. These triggering factors also worsen the symptoms of existing psoriasis.

Symptoms of Psoriasis

The major symptom of Psoriasis is the appearance of red, inflamed papular eruptions on the skin surface with adhesive silvery-white scales covering them. The spots have well-defined borders. In some cases, cracks that bleed often appear on the skin. An itching and burning sensation accomanies the eruptions, the intensity of which varies from case to case. Psoriasis often runs a relapsing and remitting course. In case of nail psoriasis, the nails get discolored, deformed, brittle, crippled, and may fall out. In a few cases of psoriasis, the joints may get inflamed and become painful.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there only one kind of psoriasis?

No, psoriasis has various types. These are – plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, nail psoriasis and pustular psoriasis. In plaque psoriasis, the skin gets covered in dry spots with a large number of silvery white scales. The major sites for plaque psoriasis are scalp, back, knees and elbows. Guttate psoriasis is characterized by the appearance of small, water droplet-like skin lesions covered in fine scales. Guttate psoriasis is often triggered after a bacterial infection, mainly strep throat infection. The lesions are mainly found on the legs, arms and trunk. Psoriasis lesions that appear in folds of skin – under the breasts, in groin area, armpits for example – are referred to as inverse psoriasis. The skin lesions in inverse psoriasis are in the form of smooth, red inflamed patches. In scalp psoriasis, red, inflamed, itchy lesions covered in thick white scales appear on the scalp. In nail psoriasis, psoriatic lesions arise in the nails of the fingers or toes. The nail may get discolored, thickening of skin under the nail may arise, pitting on nails may be present and in extreme cases, the nail may crumble and fall out. In pustular psoriasis, pus-filled eruptions arise on the skin that is surrounded by redness and tenderness.

2. Is psoriasis contagious, can it spread by touch or other means?

No, psoriasis is not a contagious disease and hence, does not spread from person-to-person contact.

3. I have chronic psoriasis, Now, my joints have started to hurt, why?

If you have had psoriasis for a long time and now your joints are in pain, then there is a good chance you have developed psoriatic arthritis. In approximately 30% of the psoriasis patients, joints may get inflamed and become painful. In psoriatic arthritis, the immune cells start to destroy and inflame the joints due to a misdirected immune response besides the usual rapid cell growth symptoms of the disease. Genetic and environmental factors play an important role in causing psoriatic arthritis.

4. I have had psoriasis for a long time and now, my joints are inflamed and in pain. Please suggest a medicine.

Homeopathy can definitely treat this condition. In my clinical practice, Rhus Tox has shown great results in cases of psoriatic arthritis. Highly inflamed, painful, swollen and stiff joints in psoriasis are the guiding symptoms for use of this medicine.

5. Is there a link between psoriasis and vitamin D?

Yes, there is a link between psoriasis and vitamin D. Improving vitamin D levels in psoriasis seems to decrease the severity of psoriasis condition. Vitamin D plays a role in decreasing excessive cell production and therefore helps treat psoriasis.

6. Will exposure to sunlight be of help to psoriasis patients?

Yes, evidence suggests that sun exposure helps to heal psoriasis, though to a mild degree.