What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis or psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory, non-contagious skin disease. It is one of the autoimmune diseases. This often results in increasingly itchy skin rashes. In Germany alone, around 1.6 million people are affected, including around 200,000 children and young people. Those affected try to hide the visible symptoms and, not least, suffer particularly psychologically from the illness and withdraw into solitude. Psoriasis is currently considered incurable. However, there is a ray of hope: in rare individual cases - without us knowing the reasons - psoriasis can occur just once or can resolve completely over the course of years.
Symptoms of psoriasis
In psoriasis, the immune system attacks and destroys the body's own skin cells. While the top layer of skin (epidermis) normally renews itself every 4 weeks, this process of skin renewal in psoriasis occurs at a rapidly accelerated rate within just 3 to 4 days. Instead of a normal horny layer, the epidermis forms thickened, raised, inflammatory, red and itchy scales (plaques) that are sharply defined locally or spread over a large area of the skin. When removed by scratching, minor bleeding usually occurs. Typically, the skin in psoriasis is covered by silvery, scaly layers, some of which peel off with a burning itch. Psoriasis can also affect nail changes, causing discoloration, thickening, and deformation. Sometimes psoriasis can also be accompanied by joint problems called psoriatic arthritis.
Depending on the type of expression, different forms of psoriasis are distinguished: psoriasis vulgaris, psoriasis pustulosa, psoriasis arthritis, psoriasis inversa or psoriasis guttata. In principle, psoriasis can occur in any area of the body. The hands and feet, knees, elbows, fingernails and toenails and often the scalp (psoriasis capitis) are particularly affected by inflammatory processes and painful crust formation. On the face, the symptoms are often visible in the eyebrows and eyes.
Causes of psoriasis
As with other autoimmune diseases, the exact causes of psoriasis are not known. Psoriasis appears to be primarily hereditary. Even infants and small children can show the typical symptoms. However, psoriasis usually first appears after puberty and before the age of 40, with men and women being affected equally often. Rarely, the autoimmune disease only breaks out after the age of 60. One in three patients who suffer from psoriasis has a close relative who is also affected. Emotional factors also play a role: a sudden traumatic experience seems to trigger or worsen psoriasis, as can psychological stress. Existing underlying diseases such as obesity or an unhealthy lifestyle can make psoriasis worse.
Medical treatments for psoriasis
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Topical treatments
In conventional medicine, psoriasis is initially usually treated externally with cortisone preparations (glucocorticoids), tar-containing ointments and urea creams. Although these active ingredient therapies can sometimes temporarily suppress the torturous symptoms of psoriasis, they do have unpleasant side effects.
The regular and longer-term ones The use of cortisone is significantly often accompanied by side effects such as water retention, increased blood pressure, thinned skin, osteoporosis, increased blood sugar or immune deficiency. Tar ointments, which are made from the distillation of coal tar, are not only irritating to the skin and increase ;hen the sensitivity to the sun. They are even considered carcinogenic in long-term use because small amounts are absorbed into the body through the skin. Urea or urea as an active ingredient in ointments or creams also proves to be unhelpful for psoriasis when used for a long time. Although urea binds a lot of moisture, it further irritates the inflamed, already heavily stressed, over-reactive psoriasis skin. Urea raises the pH value of the skin and thus destroys the protective acid mantle as an essential component of the skin's immune protection. In addition, urea dries out the irritated and inflamed skin more and more with prolonged use.
Other topical treatment options include creams, gels or lotions with calcineurin inhibitors or vitamin D analogues also retinoids, i.e. vitamin A derivatives. Retinoids can reduce inflammation, reduce excessive cell formation and relieve itching. However, retinoids are also increasingly associated with side effects such as skin irritation, scaling, thickened skin areas, dry mucous membranes or liver dysfunction. -
Systemic medications
In more severe cases, systemic medications such as methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin and apremilast may be prescribed to be taken orally . Alternatively, biologics can be used. They are administered by injection or infusion and are intended to specifically modulate the immune system to reduce inflammation. -
Light therapy (PUVA)
In controlled light therapy (PUVA therapy), the affected psoriatic skin areas are treated with UVA radiation of a specific wavelength. To enhance the effect of light therapy, a bath in salt water is taken beforehand or a combination with the medication Psolaren, which is applied as a cream to the affected skin areas. As a result, PUVA therapy increases the skin's susceptibility to sunburn. A general increased sensitivity to light, pigmentation disorders, skin thickening and an increased risk of skin cancer are further side effects. -
Laser therapy
Laser therapy is another conventional medical treatment option to reduce the excessive growth of skin cells, reduce inflammation and the symptoms of psoriasis to alleviate. With laser therapy, the affected skin areas are irradiated with high-energy light in several sessions over a period of several weeks or months. Side effects of laser therapy include, in addition to destruction of the skin barrier, temporary burns, redness, blistering or hyperpigmentation of the skin.
The right scalp care
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Shampoo:
Use a mild organic shampoo that contains no alcohol and no skin-irritating preservatives, such as myrto Organic anti-dandruff shampoo. In addition to the extremely gentle surfactant mixture, it contains a maximum proportion of washing-active amino acids. Additionally skin-soothing sage and rosemary extract with simultaneous antimicrobial effect. -
Scalp Treatment:
The Organic Scalp Treatment F. This leave-in care contains an innovative antimicrobial lactylate active ingredient with a wide range of uses. The plant-based lactic acid ester not only works against scalp dandruff, but also provides the scalp with additional moisture, loosens stubborn plaque and helps to soothe inflamed, red and flaky areas - without any unwanted side effects.
The right skin care
Since the skin with psoriasis is extremely dry and sensitive and prone to inflammatory injuries, proper care is essential. It helps to stabilize the skin's own protective barrier and provide the skin with much-needed moisture.
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Facial cleansing:
For facial cleansing, you should choose a cleanser that is as nourishing as possible without surfactants, without fragrances and without alcohol, such as our rich Bio Argan Cleansing Cream. Avoid excessive rubbing when removing the cleanser as this will worsen skin irritation. Avoid mechanical peels. In general, your skin care should only contain a few, high-quality and, if possible, natural ingredients. The products should be free of fragrances, alcohol, preservatives and emulsifiers. -
Facial toner: The mild Organic Magnolia Toner based on aloe vera with soothing chamomile extract and beta-glucan from oats was specially developed for sensitive or irritated skin. It helps to reduce irritation, moisturize and soothe the skin.
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Facial serum: To sustainably hydrate psoriatic skin and counteract cracks, the myrto Bio Hyaluronic Serum 300 ideally suited. The formula contains high doses of hyaluronic acid in different molecular sizes, which is absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin.
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DMS face cream: The optimal moisturizing creams for psoriasis are Derma Membrane structure creams, or DMS face creams for short. These are special creams that are preferred for skin diseases such as psoriasis. DMS creams do not contain emulsifiers, which are typically used to mix oil and water in a cream. Instead of emulsifiers, Derma Membran creams use a structure that resembles the lipid structure of the skin. This repairs and strengthens the skin barrier and promotes the skin's moisture retention. One such face cream is the Organic Argan Day Cream T for dry & mature skin. In addition to a high proportion of natural, valuable oils, it also contains anti-inflammatory beta-glucan from oats, which relieves itching.
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Face balm: The Face Balm Amaranth with shea butter, evening primrose and amaranth seed oil. Even after showering, the water-free balm helps to lock in moisture in the skin.
What else you can do
In order to alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis without medication, conventional medical therapies and without side effects, there are a few things you can do yourself. The following tips are not the sole solution, but they can help. to curb the inflammation or to remain free of distressing symptoms for some time.
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Strengthening the immune system
Psoriasis often occurs in connection with intestinal problems. The intestine in particular is primarily responsible for the functioning of our immune system. If the intestinal defense system is overloaded, the risk of psoriasis getting worse also increases. It is therefore essential to build up a healthy intestinal flora. -
Healthy diet
An unhealthy diet with denatured foods, acid formers and additives promotes the onset of a psoriasis attack. Make sure you eat a wholesome diet. Prefer oils and fats with polyunsaturated fatty acids such as hemp oil, linseed oil or walnut oil in your diet. You can best use them in salads or as a food supplement. -
Psychological relaxation
Develop strategies on how you can avoid unnecessary stress, because stress is a relapse-triggering factor. Yoga exercises, progressive muscle relaxation or even mindfulness exercises are suitable for relaxation. But it is just as important that you become aware of the positive in all the adversities in everyday life. Reduce your perfectionism, maintain social contacts, exercise regularly and get plenty of exercise in the fresh air.
Conclusion
Even if you have to be prepared to live with psoriasis in the long term, you can significantly alleviate the symptoms with a holistic approach. Both your body and your mind as well as your skin will thank you if you optimize your lifestyle, your diet and your skin care.
