How to cope with Psoriasis

From jamaicaobserver.com

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the rapid build-up of skin cells. This build-up of cells causes scaling on the skin’s surface.
Inflammation and redness around the scales is fairly common. Typical psoriatic scales are whitish-silver and develop in thick patches. Sometimes, these patches will crack and bleed.
People with psoriasis may find living with the condition challenging.
Here are four tips on how to cope with psoriasis:

1. UPDATING MAKE-UP
Daily cosmetic products could be worsening skin irritation and redness. Clients should look for fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and non-clogging moisturisers to support skin with an extra layer of protection.
Primers will give users a smoother skin surface to work with, and liquid foundation can be easily controlled with any skin type.
As for removing make-up, petroleum-based make-up removers loosen make-up prior to taking it off and can help avoid aggravating sensitive spots.
2. EATING HEALTHY
Controlling diet can be beneficial for individuals with psoriasis as some foods can cause redness and swelling of the skin. An anti-inflammatory diet has proven to help individuals manage plaque psoriasis.
Psoriasis sufferers should eat: Fish, nuts, oils, and colourful fruits and vegetables. Foods to avoid include: Nightshade vegetables, dairy, refined sugar, and red meat.
3. TAKING VITAMINS
Many people with psoriasis find that including vitamins and supplements in their diet help their skin clear.
Omega 3 helps decrease inflammation and powers the immune system through fish oil, vegetable oil, soy, nuts, and seeds.
Vitamin D can be found in salmon, Swiss cheese and sunshine, which helps slow the growth of skin cells.
4. LOWERING STRESS LEVELS
Psychodermatology is a term doctors created, linking emotional stress to skin. Bodies reacting to a mental state can trigger certain hormones to be released, which can cause skin to have negative side effects.
The brain and skin are connected because they are derived from the same cells. When people experience stress in life, quite frequently their skin becomes a reflection of the stresses.
The following can help reduce stress levels: Acupuncture, massage therapy, behavioural therapy, talk therapy, and relaxation training.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/How-to-cope-with-Psoriasis_90687

Maintain a healthy diet to restrict psoriasis flare-ups

From newsok.com

Dear Doctor: I've had psoriasis for close to seven years, and lately it has been flaring up more often. Is there anything I can do with my diet to control this, or even prevent it from happening?
Dear Reader: That's a good question. Thanks to the growing body of research detailing the link between inflammation and chronic disease, there are some equally intriguing answers.

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To explore it further, let's start with what psoriasis is.
When you have psoriasis, your immune system has gone a bit haywire. It's sending faulty danger signals that cause skin cells to grow at 10 times their normal rate. That's much faster than your body can process and shed them, and the result is raised and itchy patches of red skin, often covered with silvery scales. Typically, these appear on the knees, elbows and scalp, but may also be present on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and along the torso.
Although there is a complex genetic component to psoriasis, environmental factors are also at play. Stress, infection, certain medications, smoking and alcohol use have all been shown to be potential triggers for flare-ups. The results of that research we mentioned make it increasingly clear that inflammation is a factor in many chronic and degenerative diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and many cancers. Since inflammation plays a significant role in psoriasis, a lot of attention is now being paid to your question of whether diet may affect the disease.
Because of the way psoriasis behaves, drawing conclusions can be difficult. Flare-ups are followed by periods of dormancy, which give way again to subsequent flare-ups. Since the nature of the disease is to fluctuate, connecting the dots between a specific dietary or behavioural change, and the absence or presence of flare-ups, is a challenge.
Still, scientists are beginning to find answers. In studies of psoriasis patients whose diets included fish oil supplements to add omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, a measurable number of participants reported fewer and less severe flare-ups. When they stopped following the diet, the benefits also waned.

Gluten sensitivity may also play a role. In a study of individuals with antibodies to gliadin, one of the proteins that are present in wheat, following a gluten-free diet lessened psoriasis symptoms. When gluten was reintroduced to the diet, flare-ups became more frequent.
If you're interested in modifying your own diet, the National Psoriasis Foundation offers some guidelines. Foods to add to your diet include leafy green vegetables and colourful fruits such as spinach, kale, broccoli, squash and blueberries. Foods that are a natural source of omega-3 fatty oils are also on the list. They include cold-water fish, olive oil, walnuts and pumpkin seeds.
The foundation recommends that people with psoriasis avoid processed foods, refined sugar and fatty red meat. Research shows that maintaining a healthy weight is important, as well.
The idea is that when you have an inflammatory disease, steering clear of foods with inflammatory effects can help. Whatever the outcome, the result is a more healthful diet.

http://newsok.com/article/5537605

The difference between psoriasis and eczema

From privatehealth.co.uk

Both psoriasis and eczema are skin conditions that are linked to your immune system and can cause red, itchy patches of dry skin. However, there are some key differences between psoriasis and eczema that your doctor at the Harley Street skin clinic will be able to explain in more detail.

Psoriasis v eczema symptoms

It is usually possible for a doctor to tell the difference between eczema and psoriasis just from looking, but sometimes additional testing may be needed at the Harley Street skin clinic to confirm the diagnosis. The effects of these skin conditions can vary, so sometimes they are difficult to tell apart.

• Eczema is usually very itchy. Psoriasis can itch a little, but you could also feel a stinging or burning sensation instead.
• Eczema usually look like rough, red patches, which can become crusty and infected. Psoriasis can cause similar red patches too, but it can also cause silvery, scaly patches and areas of thickened and severely inflamed skin.
• Eczema tends to appear in creases of skin around your joints. Psoriasis is more likely to affect your scalp, face, back, palms, and the soles of your feet. It can also appear in other places, including in your mouth or on your nails.

The symptoms of eczema often appear earlier than those of psoriasis. Most people develop eczema as babies or children, and sometimes grow out of it later in life. Psoriasis usually appears between the ages of about 15 and 35, and it is a lifelong condition.

Psoriasis v Eczema Triggers

The symptoms of both psoriasis and eczema can flare up sometimes in response to specific triggers. Eczema can be triggered by:

• Toiletries, laundry detergents or other things that come in contact with and irritate your skin
• Allergens such as certain foods, pet hair, pollen or other allergens.
• Extremes of temperature or humidity
• Stress
• Having an infection

Psoriasis can also be triggered by stress or an infection. It can also get worse if your skin is injured, even if it is just by sunburn or a small scratch. It’s important to work with your dermatologist at the Harley Street skin clinic to identify what your triggers are so that you can avoid them, whether you have psoriasis or eczema.

http://www.privatehealth.co.uk/articles/difference-between-psoriasis-and-eczema-1145487/