Winters is not a good season for those who suffer from skin ailments, as some skin disorders tend to increase or get triggered during the cold weather. One such skin disorder is Psoriasis. Quite a few of the Patients who suffer from psoriasis have this tendency to develop flare-ups (increase in their symptoms) in winters.These winter flare-ups in psoriasis can range from mild to very severe. For some patients winter is the only time when they suffer from psoriasis, summers can be totally free from any attacks of psoriasis. Homeopathy offers a very effective treatment for eradicating this tendency to develop psoriasis. Not only does it the winter flare-ups, it can very effectively cure psoriasis completely.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder which can last for years together. Although there are many forms of psoriasis, the most common is the Plaque Psoriasis.In this form, Skin lesions are in patches which are red at the base and are covered by silvery scales. Shiny and Silvery scales are typical of psoriasis. This is usually accompanied by itching, soreness, and cracks. It varies in severity from small local patches to complete body coverage. Nails of fingers or toes are also affected.

Psoriasis occurs when immature skin cells from the lower layer of the skin surface move upwards even before they have matured. This leads to the profuse scaling of the skin. Under normal circumstances, the skin cells take about a month to mature, but in psoriasis, it takes just a few days for them to come up to the surface of the skin. Psoriasis has a strong genetic angle to it, about one-third of the cases have a family history of it. Psoriasis is an immune system driven disorder. The ‘t cells’ (one of our body’s defense cells) that are usually responsible for protecting our body against infections, by mistake, start an autoimmune process which leads to inflammation and the rapid production of immature skin cells.

Psoriasis, like much other skin disorder, tends to increase in winters. This is due to the fact that cold weather leads to dry skin. Also in winters, indoor heating arrangements can further rob the skin of the moisture leading to an increase in the symptoms of psoriasis. Hot and sunny climate help the skin to become better and moisturizing the skin can also help.

Homeopathy has an effective solution for psoriasis that aggravates during cold weather.T here are medicines in homeopathy that are there especially for treating winter flare-ups. Not only do they treat the ‘winter increase’ in psoriasis but also help in stopping the recurrence of psoriasis. Homeopathic medicines help in permanently eradicating the disorder from the body. This is possible because homeopathy works by optimizing the defense system of our body, and as Psoriasis is also a result of an overreaction of an immune response, homeopathy cures it by optimizing our defense system. The safety aspect also strengthens the case for homeopathic medicines to be used for treating psoriasis. While using them, the patient is not exposed to the risk of toxicity, as homeopathic medicines are highly diluted and side-effects are very uncommon.

Homeopathic Treatment of Psoriasis

Homeopathy is a natural, safe and effective science that treats skin complaints wonderfully well. Homeopathic medicines remain very successful in treating psoriasis by moderating the overactive immune system. Homeopathic medicines follow a curative approach in treating psoriasis and do not suppress it. In fact, by the time treatment ends, psoriasis is completely eradicated, in its full extent. Top grade Homeopathic medicines in this category are Arsenic Album, Arsenic Iodatum, Graphites, Petroleum and Sulphur. The ideal medicine is selected after an in-depth case study and analysis. Homeopathic medicines start by treating symptoms such as itching and burning in psoriatic lesions. The next step is stop further progression of the disease. In the last phase, Homeopathic medicines heal the psoriatic lesions. Homeopathic medicines have shown remarkable results in all kinds of psoriasis, including psoriatic arthritis.

 Homeopathic Medicines for Psoriasis

Arsenic Album – Effective Homeopathic medicine for psoriasis

Arsenic Album is one of the highly effective Homeopathic medicines for treating psoriasis. Indicative symptoms for use of Arsenic Album include rough patches of skin covered in scales. The patches may be brownish or blackish in colour. Roughness of the skin is very well marked. Burning sensation in eruptions may arise. The skin may be oversensitive. Swelling may also be present on the skin along with dry, patchy eruptions.

Sulphur – Excellent Homeopathic medicine for psoriasis with marked itching

For psoriasis with intense itching in psoriatic lesions, Sulphur is an excellent choice of Homeopathic medicine. Though itching is present throughout the day, it gets worse in during the evening and at night. Another unique symptom to look out for while prescribing Sulphur is that the Itching worsens with warmth. Intense burning on the skin may also be felt. The skin is dry, unhealthy, dirty looking and covered in scales. Also, if psoriasis worsens in damp weather, Sulphur will work best. It is also a good choice of Homeopathic medicine for psoriasis cases that have been suppressed with external applications such as ointments.

Arsenic Iodatum – Wonderful Homeopathic medicine for psoriasis with exfoliation of abundant scales

A highly useful Homeopathic medicine for psoriasis with extreme exfoliation of abundant scales from the skin is Arsenic Iodatum. Beneath the scales, raw red skin is exposed. Dryness of skin with itching may also be present.

Petroleum – Homeopathic medicine for psoriasis set off during the winter

Petroleum is an appropriate choice of Homeopathic medicine for psoriasis that gets triggered during the winter. The skin is dry, hard, rough and very thick. Cracks on the skin may also be present. Bleeding from the cracked skin may be observed. The skin may look dirty. Petroleum is also one of the majorly indicated Homeopathic medicines for psoriasis of the hands and psoriasis arising in skin folds. The affected skin may be very sensitive to touch.

Graphites Naturalis – Top rated Homeopathic medicine for psoriasis of the scalp

Graphites Naturalis is one of the prominently indicated Homeopathic medicines for psoriasis of the scalp. It is useful where the scalp is covered in excessive scales. It is attended with intense itching. The scalp may emit foul odour and the hair may get matted together. Burning sensation on the scalp may arise in hot weather. The psoriatic lesions extend behind the ears. Graphites are also helpful in treating rawness in bends of skin as in the groin, armpits and behind the ears. Graphites also offer help in nail psoriasis. The symptoms for using this medicine in nail psoriasis are – deformed, crumbled, thick and painful nails.

Antimonium Crudum – Best Homeopathic medicine for nail psoriasis

Antimonium Crudum is a very useful Homeopathic medicine for treating nail psoriasis. The person needing Antimonium Crudum has brittle nails. In some cases, the nails grow out of shape. Nail discoloration is also observed. If there is pain under the skin of the nail, Antimonium Crudum is the ideal choice of Homeopathic medicine.

Rhus Tox – Homeopathic medicine for joint pains in psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis

Rhus Tox is one of the best Homeopathic medicines for joint pains arising in psoriasis cases. A person who needs prescribing Rhus Tox will have highly inflamed and painful joints. Joint stiffness will be marked. Warm applications on the affected joints bring relief. Movement, too, provides relief. On the other hand, exposure to cold air worsens joint pains.

Homeopathic Medicines for Psoriasis

Which Homeopathic medicines psoriasis would you rate as the best?

Among the majorly indicated Homeopathic medicines for psoriasis, Arsenic Album and Graphites are an excellent choice. Arsenic Album is very effective homeopathic medicine for psoriasis. Graphites  works wonders for treating skin as well as nail psoriasis.

 I have psoriasis with excessive itching, which Homeopathic medicine should I take?

Homeopathic medicine Sulphur remains highly successful in treating psoriasis attended with intense itching. Extreme burning may also arise in such cases. Do consult a Homeopathic practitioner before you take any medicine.

Please advise a Homeopathic medicine for psoriasis with abundant scale exfoliation?

Homeopathy offers a vast range of medicines for treating psoriasis with excessive scale exfoliation. However, in my clinical practice, Homeopathic medicine Arsenic Iodatum has shown the most wonderful recoveries in such cases. The exfoliation leaves behind a raw, red surface on the skin.

For psoriasis of the scalp, which Homeopathic medicine should I take?

The list is long, but I have found Homeopathic medicine Graphites Naturalis to be extremely useful in treating psoriasis of the scalp. A scalp covered in excessive scales, with itching and in some cases burning, will respond well to Graphites Naturalis.

What is the Homeopathic medicine for psoriasis of Nails?

Graphites Naturalis and Antimonium Crudum are well recognized Homeopathic medicines for nail psoriasis. A person with this condition has discolored, crumbling, brittle, painful nails.

In psoriasis that worsens in winters, which Homeopathic medicine would help?

Topmost on the list of most effective Homeopathic medicines for treating psoriasis cases that worsen during the winter is Petroleum. This Homeopathic medicine has amazing properties and will calm a flare-up and provide relief to the patient.

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

Inflamed and painful joints in a person suffering from psoriasis refer to a condition called psoriatic arthritis. 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 all guiding symptoms for use of Homeopathic medicine Rhus Tox.

 What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by well defined red patches covered in silvery white scales. Skin cells normally grow and are shed every 28 to 30 days. In psoriasis, the skin cells start to grow more rapidly, every 3 to 5 days. The skin cannot 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. The skin lesions in psoriasis may be attended with itching and burning, the intensity varying from case to case. Pain may be present along with itching and burning in psoriatic eruptions. Psoriasis is a disease that runs a remitting and relapsing course, that is to say that there is a phase when the psoriasis gets better, termed as the remitting phase, followed by an active phase, when the psoriasis flares up, termed as the relapsing phase.

How do I know I have psoriasis?

Psoriatic lesions have characteristic in appearance and are easily diagnosed. The presence of dry, red skin lesions with sharply defined borders covered in silvery white scales are well indicative of psoriasis. 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. A few skin conditions like ringworm and eczema may look like psoriasis. However, the site of skin lesions, presence of possible triggers and positive family history of psoriasis support diagnosis. In rare cases, skin biopsy is required.

Why does psoriasis occur?

The clear cause of psoriasis is not yet known. However psoriasis is thought to be a disorder of autoimmune origin. Persons with psoriasis suffer an overactive immune system. The overactive immune cells, majorly T cells, cause skin inflammation and trigger the rapid skin cell growth. Psoriasis has a strong hereditary component. A person having a positive family history of psoriasis is at a high risk of suffering the condition.

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

Psoriasis can be easily diagnosed based on the presentation of the skin lesions. In rare cases, a skin biopsy is needed to rule out the type of psoriasis.

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 characterised 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.

What are the factors that trigger psoriasis?

The various factors that can trigger psoriasis are stress, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, skin trauma and cold weather.

Apart from skin, what are the other sites for psoriasis lesions?

In addition to skin lesions, psoriasis may affect the nails and can lead to inflamed joints. Cases where joints get inflamed are referred to as psoriatic arthritis.

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

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

Can stress cause psoriasis?

Stress and psoriasis are interlinked, but stress does not cause psoriasis. Stress plays an important role in triggering a flare-up of psoriasis.

I have had psoriasis for a long time. 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.

Can ointments alone treat psoriasis?

Applying ointments may control symptoms like itching and burning in psoriatic lesions, but ointments merely suppress the skin complaint. They will not treat the condition. A curative approach in psoriasis will need to follow proper treatment that aims at moderating the immune system.

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.

rease the severity of psoriasis condition. Vitamin D plays a role in decreasing excessive cell production, and therefore helps treat psoriasis.

Will exposure to sunlight be of help to psoriasis patients?

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

Lifestyle changes can help manage psoriasis better

• Small changes in lifestyle can help manage psoriasis to a large extent. These measures include:
• Use mild soap while bathing
• Avoid bathing with warm water
• For excessively dry skin, apply coconut oil
• Quite smoking and alcohol
• Some sun exposure may help psoriasis while excessive exposure will worsen symptoms
• Stress management will reduce psoriasis flare-ups