Psoriasis is a skin-related autoimmune disorder that appears rash-like, reddish, peeling, and dry. The skin becomes textured and inflamed because cells collect in one place and form silvery white arid scales with time.
The immune system in the human body protects us from illness and disease. Sometimes due to environmental stimuli, excessive stress, prolonged pressure, and other reasons, immunity crashes, and the body may develop autoimmune diseases. What is the root cause of Psoriasis and what aggravates this condition? The infection-fighting cells in the body go against it and start attacking the normal healthy skin cells, turning into an autoimmune condition.
- Immune system: Psoriasis, the autoimmune disorder, affects the skin of nearly 3% of people in the United States, amounting to almost 5 million people in the country. The skin needs nourishment and care to eliminate the silvery red weals. Though, remember the condition is not contagious and will not spread by contact. It is an issue with the immune system!
This flaky, dry, white scaly skin is tough to treat by conventional dermatological methods but responds amazingly well to naturopathy and healing herbs. Dehydrated skin aggravates the symptoms of Psoriasis and needs to be treated by hydration and moisturisation to an extent. - Family history and genetics: Psoriasis runs in families, and if you have a parent suffering from this condition, your chances of getting it increase, and if both your parents suffer from it, then the chances increase even further.
- Gut issues: The gut health affects the skin condition. Research says a leaky gut or intestinal permeability increases the chances of Psoriasis. Abnormal gut flora, overgrowth of yeast in the intestine, and other gut-related issues can worsen Psoriasis. The gut microbiome is responsible for many skin conditions. Start by optimizing your gut and take herbal antifungals, probiotics, or herbs that help with gut issues.
- Environmental and genetic factors also trigger Psoriasis. The body has T-cells that combat harmful microbes such as bacteria and viruses. T-cells keep producing new cells to combat the infection but are unable to kill the infection, and slowly, the body gets tired, and the immune system fails.
The skin becomes raised and red and then turns white with a silvery shine. The bacterial and viral microbes in the environment cause red-coloured swellings due to infections.
These T-cells are constantly producing new skin cells, and if they sense the body has an infection, these cells rapidly multiply to replace the infected old cells. If the infection is left untreated and the process of elimination does not naturally remove the old dead skin cells, new cells start growing and clustering at the same spot. It is evident that the cell life cycle has changed, and the new and old cells are accumulating on the outer skin surface, giving it a flaky and rough texture. - Lifestyle factors, excessive stress, and overweight people may develop this skin condition. People with dry, flaky skin are often advised to avoid smoking, alcohol, and other lifestyle blunders.
But, do not indulge in any random “treatments”; consult a dermatologist for the best advice. The doctor may suggest further testing, including a microscopic skin examination and a biopsy, to take the treatment to another level. This is where a functional doctor steps in.
Functional medicine doctor training comes to the rescue now, and hydrating herbs and other naturopathy treatments can greatly help with Psoriasis. Remember, herbal remedies and naturopathy treatments are effective and safe, calming and soothing on red, irritated skin.
Psoriasis needs further understanding, and people predisposed to this condition may live comfortably for a few years. Then unexpectedly, they may face flare-ups in the form of textured and irritable skin.
Psoriasis flare-ups may also be a result of the following:
- Extremely dry weather and cold conditions
- Exposure to smoking/alcohol increases the risk and its severity.
- Skin injuries, scrapes, etc
- Certain medications include anti-malarial drugs, high blood pressure meds, lithium, etc.
- Bug or insect bite
- Severe sunburns
- Skin infections
- Strep throat infection
- Withdrawal to steroids
If left untreated, Psoriasis can cause health complications such as:
- Hypo or hyper-pigmentation after the inflammation settles and the plaques heal. Furthermore, this leads to temporary changes in the colour of the skin.
- Obesity
- Eye problems such as blepharitis, uveitis, and conjunctivitis
- Psoriatic arthritis causes swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joint region.
- high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases
- Type 2 diabetes
- Mental health issues
- Autoimmune conditions such as sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease
- Low self-esteem and depression
- Certain food sensitivities, such as dairy and gluten
- Reaction to certain inflammatory foods
You don’t need the chemicals, toxins, and disruptors disturbing your hormones, gut, and skin. But skin care products often cause the skin to react sometimes or the other, so be careful when you choose your Psoriasis. Herbal and plant-based skincare and naturopathy show immense promise. Skin diseases can be improved greatly with functional medicine and healing herbs approved by science-based research.
