Folk Remedies Have A Place In The Treatment Of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a difficult disorder to treat. But researchers report in the American Journal of Therapeutics that they have identified a natural preparation from a plant that effectively treats mild to moderate psoriasis. The plant, Mahonia aquifolium, grows wild in North America and was used in folk medicine to treat skin diseases.
Psoriasis is a difficult disorder to treat because the severity and distribution of psoriatic plaques varies immensely, and because current medications can have undesirable side effects. This common skin disorder affects more than 4.5 million people in North America.
But according to an article in the American Journal of Therapeutics (March/April 2006, Volume 13, No. 2, p. 121-126), a natural preparation from a plant holds promise for psoriasis sufferers.
Steve Bernstein and other researchers from the Dermatology and Cosmetic Center in Rochester, New York conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using a proprietary topical cream prepared with Mahonia aquifolium.
This plant, also known as the barberry, Oregon grape, or berberis, grows wild in North and South American and Europe. It was initially used in American folk medicine as an oral medication for inflammatory skin diesases including psoriasis and syphilis.
Of the 200 psoriasis patients enrolled in the trial, 97 completed the 12-week course and 74 completed the same regimen using a placebo cream.
Bernstein and his colleagues traced a statistically significant improvement of the signs and symptoms of moderate plaque psoriasis compared with patients receiving placebo. The medication was well tolerated when applied to the affected area twice a day for twelve weeks. No significant side effects were reported by either the active or control group.
The researchers concluded that the cream containing Mahonia aquifolium extract is a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis.

The Historical Picture Of Psoriasis

Psoriasis has been around since the days of Greek mythology, more than 2,500 years ago. It was considered a curse from the gods.The Bible refers to psoriasis but mistakenly calls it leprosy. For hundreds of years, people with the disease were ostracized and forced to wander as homeless beggars. Some had to wear warning bells so others could avoid their paths. Some suffered the same fate as lepers, who were burned at the stake in the 14th century."Amazingly, psoriasis was a disease that had been misunderstood for more than 2,000 years before it was clearly defined (in the early 1800s) and named what we know it as today."

Living With Nail Psoriasis

Erosion of the nail plate and tenderness of the fingertip may have several causes, the most common being onycholysis, a spontaneous separation of the nail plate from the underlying skin. It classically occurs at the distal end of the nail and can be quite painful. It is a common condition, primarily occurring in females and in the elderly. Treatment consists of avoiding trauma to the nail, avoiding irritants and keeping the nail dry.
Another common condition is fungal infections of the nail (medical term: onychomycosis), and this should be considered especially if the condition is spreading to other nails, as is the case with this reader. Note that dermatologists often see patients with obvious clinical evidence of fungal even though the lab tests are negative, so a course of oral anti-fungal therapy might still be indicated. There are also a whole host of other conditions that your dermatologist could consider, including bacterial infections, eczema, psoriasis and even warts beneath the nail. These are far too numerous to list here, but your dermatologist should be familiar with the most common ones.
You should also realize that many nail disorders are extremely difficult to treat since the nail plate is not "living" tissue. Many nail disorders are incurable, but pain or tenderness should be relieved with appropriate therapy.

comment by Dr. Julian Schamroth, a veteran Jerusalem dermatologist

A Factual Picture Of Psoriasis

Psoriasis facts and figures.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition affecting approximately 4.5 million people in the United States.
New skin cells grow too rapidly, resulting in inflamed, swollen, scaly patches of skin in areas where the old skin has not shed quickly enough.
Psoriasis can be limited to a few spots or can involve more extensive areas of the body, appearing most commonly on the scalp, knees, elbows and trunk.
Psoriasis is not a contagious disease. The cause of psoriasis is unknown, and there currently is no cure.
Psoriasis can strike people at any age, but the average age of onset is approximately 28 years. Likewise, it affects both men and women, with a slightly higher prevalence in women than in men.
Approximately 30 percent of people with psoriasis are estimated to have moderate-to-severe forms of the disease.Psoriasis can be a physically and emotionally painful condition. It often results in physical limitations, disfiguration and a significant burden in managing the daily care of the disease.
Psoriasis sufferers may feel embarrassed, angry, frustrated, fearful, depressed and, in some cases, even suicidal.

Signs And Symptoms Of Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriasis that affects the scalp is also called seborrheic psoriasis. The scalp may be the first site to be affected by psoriasis. The condition may resemble severe dandruff. Patches of thick, flaky skin may extend to the forehead below the hairline. Scales may build up in the outer ear. Other than the forehead and the ears, the face is usually spared. However, some people may have patches of inflamed skin that resemble seborrheic dermatitis a type of dandruff eczema that affects the scalp and face.Psoriasis on the scalp is common and, in many cases, it is the only area affected. It usually consists of red, scaly patches that are sometimes lumpy. The edge of the patch tends to be well defined. This type of psoriasis can extend beyond the hairline, onto the forehead. Psoriasis of the scalp does not damage the hair follicle and is not associated with alopecia (hair loss), but if the scale is thick and forms hard lumps, it can lead to temporary hair thinning. However, this is not permanent and will grow back again after the psoriasis clears.This form of psoriasis can be extremely uncomfortable. It is often very itchy, and the psoriatic patches that are inflamed and sore can start to bleed if they are scratched or picked. The condition is not caused by poor hygiene or hair care. Scalp psoriasis can be demoralizing, as the look of dead skin cells on clothing can be embarrassing, and it is not always easy to brush them off inconspicuously. Itchiness is another big problem, not only because of the social implication but also because it inflames the condition and makes it worse. Forehead along the hairline is a common site as is the temples, nape of the neck, around the ears, as well as the hair parting. Massaging a little warm baby/olive/coconut oil gently into the scalp, preferably before going to bed to allow plenty of time to soak (bind up the head in an old towel) will help. Wash out with cream shampoo (i.e. Dry Hair Products), add a little lemon juice to the final rinse to get rid of excess grease. Only shampoo three times a week, more than this and the natural oils may be washed out. Always treat the head as gently as possible, do not comb or brush harshly. Perms and colorants can be used as long as the skin is not broken. Shampoo the hair and scalp with a tar-based shampoo that can be purchased over-the-counter or by prescription. Shampoos, scalp steroid lotions, vitamin D analogues and some tar preparations such as tar pomade may be used on the scalp.