Your Guide to Tea Tree Oil for Psoriasis

From healthcentral.com

Here’s what you need to know about treating psoriasis with tea tree oil, including the benefits and risks

If you’re living with psoriasis, the chronic autoimmune disorder that affects 3% of the U.S. adult population, you know all about the regular self-care that’s required: Everything from phototherapy to oral medications and biologics, plus natural lotions, coal tar and essential oils to try and keep symptoms at bay.

One essential oil specifically, tea tree oil, which is harvested from the leaves of the Australian tea tree, has been found to contain some “potent anti-inflammatory properties.”

So, does it work? Tea tree oil may be able to reduce symptoms of psoriasis, including itchiness and pain, says Leah Ansell, M.D., an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University and a dermatologist at Treiber Dermatology Associates in New York City. And while Naana Boakye, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in North Bergen, NJ and author of Inside Out Beauty, says that tea tree oil won’t necessarily “cure” psoriasis, research suggests that it does have the power to alleviate some symptoms.

Curious about tea tree oil and its potential benefits for psoriasis relief? Let’s learn more.

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Why Is Tea Tree Oil Beneficial for Psoriasis?

Tea tree oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits due to its “various terpenes,”—naturally occurring chemical compounds that are also responsible for its eucalyptus-like scent, says Dr. Boakye. “The anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil can help control the discomfort from the dry and itchy skin patches caused by psoriasis,” she adds.

In addition to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, tea tree oil can also help reduce psoriasis flares by doing the following, according to Dr. Boakye:

• Balance oil production: Tea tree oil can regulate sebum production, potentially preventing excessively oily or dry skin.

• Exfoliate skin: Tea tree oil can aid in removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.

• Minimize itch: Tea tree oil has a soothing effect when applied topically.

Particularly for psoriasis of the scalp, Dr. Ansell says that tea tree oil can be useful. Since this type of psoriasis is “built-up of oily scale,” as she puts it, the best way to exfoliate this oil is ironically by using another oil—in this case, tea tree oil.

While there are no large-scale studies that confirm tea tree oil benefits for psoriasis, Dr. Ansell believes that “the theoretical and anecdotal benefits are compelling.” Dr. Boakye says that tea tree oil can “possibly help” psoriasis when it’s used in conjunction with other herbal remedies, like witch hazel, oatmeal, and other essential oils.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Psoriasis

For tea tree oil for plaque psoriasis, the most common form of psoriasis that shows up as red, scaly patches, Dr. Boakye recommends starting with a small patch test of tea tree oil so you can test for irritation or an allergic reaction. To do that, dilute the tea tree oil with water or a carrier oil like almond oil (two tablespoons of water or carrier oil per two drops of tea tree oil), and apply a small amount of it with a cotton ball onto an area of skin without psoriasis. Apply a band-aid over it and wait for a reaction. If nothing happens, the diluted tea tree oil should be safe for you to use.

In addition, when applying tea tree oil directly to psoriasis patches, Dr. Ansell says that it’s important that the layer isn’t too thin. “If too thin, it’s unlikely to penetrate the plaques and may more easily rub off,” she says.

Dr. Ansell says that tea tree oil works especially well when it’s applied to scalp psoriasis. After you’ve done a small patch test on the scalp, “tea tree oil can be blended in a special shampoo. When kept in contact with the scalp for 10 to 15 minutes before washing off, this can be helpful in alleviating the inflammation and thick scale that goes with scalp psoriasis,” she says.

When mixing tea tree oil into shampoo, you can use the same mixing ratio that you do with carrier oil—two tablespoons of shampoo per two drops of tea tree oil. (Some shampoos also include tea tree oil as an ingredient; check the labels at your local drugstore.)

Risks of Using Tea Tree Oil for Psoriasis

As with most anything, there are some risks associated with using tea tree oil for psoriasis. If you’re allergic, the application can cause a flare-up of psoriasis symptoms or contact dermatitis. (That’s another reason why patch testing is so important).

“Tea tree oil is not regulated; thus concentrations and additive ingredients may vary greatly,” Dr. Ansell cautions. She says that an allergic reaction may present as pink or red itchy, uncomfortable eruptions at the sites of application.

Who Shouldn’t Use Tea Tree Oil

There’s a short list of individuals who shouldn’t use tea tree oil, notes Dr. Ansell, and they include:

• Pregnant women because bodily changes during pregnancy can make skin particularly sensitive, and tea tree oil has potent chemicals that can cause skin irritation.

• Those who have an allergy to tea tree oil

• Those with pets (tea tree oil is poisonous to pets)

Other Natural Remedies to Help Manage Psoriasis

If you fall in any of the above categories, or just aren’t into the idea of using tea tree oil to ease your psoriasis symptoms, there are several other natural remedies that can combat psoriasis. Dr. Boakye and Dr. Ansell suggest asking your dermatologist about these:

• Aloe vera (topical)

• Vitamin D (supplement)

• Vitamin E (topical)

• Omega 3 (supplement)

• Indigo (topical)

• Gentle sunlight

• Mineral oil (topical)

• Coconut oil (topical)

It’s best to speak with your doctor before turning to any of these treatments. A holistic or integrative primary care doctor or dermatologist will know the best ways to go about using these natural treatments for psoriasis.

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/psoriasis/tea-tree-oil-for-psoriasis

Are Psoriasis and Vitiligo Connected?

From healthcentral.com

Experts break down the differences and similarities between these two autoimmune skin conditions 

Psoriasis and vitiligo are both chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune diseases that may have a genetic element. But does the connection go any deeper than that? “Psoriasis and vitiligo have different disease mechanisms [or disease processes],” says Karan Lal, D.O., director of paediatric dermatology and cosmetic surgery at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ. “There have been loose associations as reported by some papers, but we don’t consider these two diseases to be commonly linked.”

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at vitiligo and psoriasis differences and similarities.

Vitiligo Causes and Symptoms

If you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks parts of your own body. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), vitiligo patches develop when the body attacks and destroys melanocytes, the cells that create skin pigment (colour).

When parts of the skin lose colour, this results in spots and patches of lighter skin. Sometimes, only a few small areas are affected (known as localized vitiligo); in others, colour loss is more extensive (known as generalized vitiligo). Rarely, most of the skin colour is lost—this is known as universal vitiligo.

Another type of vitiligo is segmental vitiligo, characterized by rapid colour loss on one side of the body. After 6 to 12 months, segmental vitiligo tends to stabilize (i.e. the colour loss stops), says the AAD, and most people don’t develop new patches or spots after that.

Vitiligo can appear anywhere on the body, but in the early stages it’s most likely to affect the following areas, per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD):

• Arms

• Face

• Feet

• Hands

Psoriasis Causes and Symptoms

Like vitiligo, psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system. According to the NIAMS, this results in accelerated production of skin cells (they’re made in days rather than weeks) in affected parts of the body—leading to dry, thick, scaly patches or plaques on the skin.

Psoriasis can also show up on any part of the body. The most common type, plaque psoriasis (affecting around 80% of people with the condition), is most likely to affect the following areas, per the AAD:

• Elbows

• Knees

• Lower back

• Scalp

Other types of psoriasis include nail psoriasis, and inverse psoriasis (also known as flexural psoriasis), which involves areas of skin that rub together (skin folds), like the armpits, groin, and under the breasts.

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Link Between Vitiligo and Psoriasis

Research published in Archives of Dermatological Research found that people with vitiligo experienced an increased risk of psoriasis. However, the odds of vitiligo were only marginally higher in people who already had psoriasis. And scientists haven’t yet been able to determine why a diagnosis of vitiligo predisposes people to develop subsequent psoriasis, meaning a lot more research is needed.

“Personally, I don’t see a lot of vitiligo and psoriasis in patients at one time,” says Dr. Lal. Radha Mikkilineni, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Cornell Medical School and founder and co-Medical Director of Skinsage, a national online teledermatology company, agrees that although both vitiligo and psoriasis are autoimmune disorders, there’s no scientifically proven link.

Autoimmune diseases can run in families (although having a parent with psoriasis or vitiligo is no guarantee that you’ll get it, too). According to the National Library of Medicine, about one-fifth of people with vitiligo have at least one close relative who is also affected. When it comes to psoriasis, the National Psoriasis Foundation says that if one of your parents has psoriasis, you have about a 28% chance of developing the condition. And if both of your parents have psoriasis, the risk increases to 65%.

Psoriasis aside, researchers have found that vitiligo seems to be more common in people who have a family history of the disorder or who have certain autoimmune diseases, including:

• Addison’s disease

• Pernicious anaemia

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Systemic lupus erythematosus

• Thyroid disease

• Type 1 diabetes

Vitiligo and Psoriasis Treatment Options

There’s no cure for either vitiligo or psoriasis, but both conditions can be treated and managed. ”We have many treatment options for vitiligo,” says Dr. Lal. These include:

• Medical tattooing helps to camouflage depigmented skin.

• Melanocyte keratinocyte transplant surgery can bring pigment back to the skin on people who have stable or segmental disease, says Dr. Lal.

• Opzelura (ruxolitinib) is the first topical JAK inhibitor approved by the Food and Drug Administration for non-segmental vitiligo. It works by lowering the person’s immune response to enable the development of new, healthy skin cells, with the goal of repigmenting the affected areas.

• Phototherapy uses special UVB light to bring pigment back into the skin, explains Dr. Lal.

• Topical steroids may be prescribed to decrease inflammation and promote repigmentation on affected areas.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, there are more treatment options for psoriasis than ever. These include:

• Phototherapy, which exposes the skin to UVB light to slow down the growth of affected skin cells.

• Systemics (including biologics and oral treatments) are prescription drugs may be taken orally, by infusion, or injected, and work throughout the body.

• Topical treatments are often the first-line treatment for psoriasis, these are applied to the skin to reduce inflammation and slow down excessive cell reproduction.

When it comes to natural remedies for vitiligo, our experts don’t recommend any particular home therapies, as none have been proven to work. However, Dr. Mikkilineni advises her vitiligo patients to ensure they use proper sun protection if they have extensive involvement, including an oral antioxidant called Heliocare, which is made of polypodium leucotomos (a plant extract) that is believed to be able to help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation caused by sun exposure.

There’s a bit more research available on natural remedies for psoriasis. You may want to try topical aloe vera, which some studies have shown to help reduce redness and scaling. The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends looking for creams containing 0.5% aloe or applying gel directly from the aloe plant up to three times per day. The National Psoriasis Foundation also recommends applying a cream containing 10% mahonia, a powerful antimicrobial herb that plays a role in immune response, to help treat mild-to-moderate psoriasis.

Can You Prevent Vitiligo or Psoriasis?

While you can’t prevent vitiligo or psoriasis if you’re genetically predisposed to it, avoiding common triggers is a good way to reduce your risk.

Psoriasis triggers vary from person to person, but common culprits, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, include:

• Cold weather: On Citizen Pscientist, the National Psoriasis Foundation‘s global research platform, four out of 10 people with psoriasis reported winter as the season that causes the most flare ups of their disease. This may be due to less sunlight and drier indoor (heated) air.

• Illness: Some people experience a psoriasis flare after an infection, such as bronchitis or tonsillitis. Streptococcus infection (strep throat) often triggers the first onset of guttate psoriasis in children.

• Injury to skin: The Koebner phenomenon occurs when psoriasis develops on areas of the skin that have been injured or harmed from a cut, scrape, sunburn, bug bite, or vaccination.

• Smoking: Scientists have found that smoking increases the risk of developing psoriasis, such as a study of nurses and other health professionals published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, which found that long-term smokers have almost double the risk of developing psoriasis compared with people who have never smoked.

• Stress: According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, stress is one of the most common psoriasis triggers. And because a psoriasis flare itself can increase stress, this can become a vicious cycle. The AAD suggests trying yoga, deep breathing exercises, writing daily gratitude lists, and joining a support group as ways to keep your stress levels down.

Scientists have identified fewer triggers for vitiligo, but the NIAMS says the following may lead to an exacerbation of symptoms:

• Emotional distress: Stress can impact the immune system and trigger immune responses, where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys melanocytes.

• Exposure to a chemical: Allergic reactions to specific chemicals or allergens can trigger inflammatory responses in the skin.

• Sunburn: Sunburn itself does not directly trigger vitiligo, but it may exacerbate the condition or worsen existing vitiligo in individuals who are already susceptible.

Whether you have psoriasis or vitiligo (or maybe both), try not to dwell on the fact that there’s no cure. Research is ongoing and there are plenty of treatment options available to you. Be open and discuss your skin concerns with your doctor, who can help you figure out the best way to manage your condition and feel good in your skin.

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/psoriasis/vitiligo-and-psoriasis

Can You Use a Tanning Bed for Psoriasis Treatment?

From verywellhealth.com

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the skin by causing red, raised patches of flaky skin. There is no cure for psoriasis but there are several treatment options and lifestyle changes that can help minimize the symptoms. One treatment option is phototherapy, which uses light to treat psoriasis skin symptoms. Tanning beds do not offer the same benefits.

This article will cover the different types of phototherapy, why tanning beds are not the best option for psoriasis, and tanning risks.

enigma_images / Getty Images

Can a Tanning Bed Treat Psoriasis?

Many healthcare providers do not support the use of tanning beds for psoriasis treatment. Tanning beds increase the risk of skin cancer. In fact, squamous cell carcinoma is increased by 58% and basal cell carcinoma is increased by 24%.

Tanning bed users also run the risk of developing an addiction to tanning, a very real condition that was found in those who used tanning beds to self-treat their psoriasis.

People with psoriasis may seek out tanning beds because one psoriasis treatment is phototherapy with ultraviolet B (UVB) light. UVB light is present in natural sunlight and in tanning beds. However, tanning beds mostly emit ultraviolet A (UVA) light.

Treating psoriasis with UVA light is not very effective unless it is used with psoralens, a light-sensitizing agent.

Healthcare providers will recommend treatments that have proven results. These treatments may include:

• Phototherapy: The use of natural or artificial light that slows skin cell growth
• Topical treatments: Creams or ointments that are applied to the skin to slow down skin cell growth and reduce inflammation
• Systemic medications: Prescription drugs that are given through an intravenous (IV), injection or as an oral medication. Each type works a little bit differently in managing psoriasis.
  

Sunlight vs. Phototherapy

When looking at psoriasis treatment options sunlight and phototherapy are two choices that appear to be very similar but are very different.

Sunlight can treat psoriasis since it has both UVA and UVB, most phototherapy treatments only use UVB. Sunlight is not as effective as prescription phototherapy but is free and accessible to everyone. People who use sunlight for psoriasis need to be careful to avoid sunburns or excess sun time as this can trigger additional psoriasis flare-ups.

Below are the different types of phototherapy and how they treat psoriasis.

UVB Phototherapy

UVB phototherapy uses UVB light to slow the growth of skin cells affected by psoriasis. It is used for people with psoriasis lesions covering at least 10% of the body. Treatment is done in a healthcare provider's office or at home.

Phototherapy is performed by using traditional UV bulbs or LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. It is typically done three times per week for three months.

PUVA

"PUVA" stands for "psoralen" and "ultraviolet A." It is a treatment that uses UVA light in combination with psoralens. Psoralens are substances added to medications that allow the skin to absorb more UVA. It can be given orally or topically.

When someone has PUVA treatment they will be given the psoralen and then have UVA light treatment. Studies have found it to be more effective than UVB phototherapy for people with palmoplantar pustular psoriasis.

Laser Therapy

Psoriasis treatment with laser therapy is often done by using the excimer laser. This laser uses a high-intensity UVB beam. Its greatest benefit is that it can focus on the affected skin and spare the surrounding skin. It is used for mild to moderate psoriasis and is a good choice for scalp psoriasis.

Do Tanning Beds Make Psoriasis Worse?

Tanning beds can damage skin and make psoriasis worse. UV radiation causes aging and increases the risk of skin cancer.

A sunburn from a tanning bed is a psoriasis trigger. This can cause more plaques to form and worsen psoriasis.

Some studies have discussed the use of tanning beds for people who do not have access to other modes of phototherapy. There are serious risks associated with tanning bed use. Talk to a healthcare provider to weigh the risks and benefits of tanning beds and to determine the best treatment route.

Tanning Risks

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared indoor tanning a carcinogenic. There are several risks associated with tanning. They include:

• Skin cancer
• Tanning addiction
• Sunburn
• Premature aging
• Immune system suppression
• Actinic or solar keratoses

Summary

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes raised skin plaques. While there currently is no known cure for the condition there are several treatment options available. One treatment is phototherapy, which uses light to reduce the production of skin cells that cause psoriasis plaques.

Phototherapy is available in many different forms, one of which is tanning beds. This option carries several serious risks like skin cancer and is not a sound treatment option. Talk to a healthcare provider to find the best way to treat psoriasis symptoms.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/tanning-bed-for-psoriasis-7569207