Psoriasis is a common skin disease that comes in different forms and varying levels of severity. It affects up to 3 percent of populations worldwide. Most researchers agree that it is an auto-immune disease. It is a common skin disease characterized by thickened patches of inflamed red skin, sometimes accompanied by painful joint swelling and stiffness.This skin condition most often appears on the scalp, elbows and knees. Psoriasis affects between 1-3% of the population. It varies in severity from mild to severe. Psoriasis can start at any age. Areas of the skin grow much faster than normal and form red, scaling patches.

Research shows that the signs and symptoms of psoriasis usually appear between 15 and 35 years of age. About 75% develop psoriasis before age 40. However, it is possible to develop psoriasis at any age. After age 40, a peak onset period occurs between 50 and 60 years of age.

Basis Facts about Psoriasis

Psoriasis most often occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet; diagnosis may be difficult because psoriasis often looks like other skin diseases. Doctors generally treat psoriasis in steps according to the severity of the disease or responsiveness to initial treatments. This is sometimes called the "1-2-3" approach.

Care if you are suffering from Psoriasis

Avoid scratching or itching that can cause bleeding or excessive irritation. Soaking in bath water with oil added and using moisturizers may help. Bath soaks with coal tar or other agents that remove scales and reduce the plaque may also help. Cortisone creams can reduce the itching of mild psoriasis and are available without a prescription.Some people use an ultraviolet B unit at home under a doctor's supervision.

A dermatologist may prescribe the unit and instruct the patient on home use, especially if it is difficult for the patient to get to the doctor's office for phototherapy treatment.

Reports from people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis are mixed: Some say acupuncture helps their disease while others report no effect. People who try acupuncture and improve say it takes many treatments. Acupuncture has few known side effects.

Homeopathic remedies are usually so diluted that they will not cause major side effects. A consultation with someone trained in this practice will help guide the treatment and ensure your safety.

Psoriasis Treatment by Diet

People with psoriasis are individuals with different backgrounds, habits and medical histories, who respond to substances differently at different times. Moreover, people with psoriasis can have remissions that have nothing to do with changes in diets or treatments. These variables make it difficult to evaluate whether any specific dietary change is responsible for clearing or worsening psoriasis.

The addition or elimination of one substance from the diet can be the remedy for one person and the culprit for another. There is certainly no harm in exploring how diet impacts your psoriasis, as long as your overall health is not compromised.

Dietary supplementation with fish oil is said to have a variety of favorable effects on both the cardiovascular and immune systems in laboratory animals. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease, so it follows that fish oil if it alters immune reactivity could improve psoriasis.