From healthcentral.com
This medicine-cabinet staple can serve as a soother for mild-to-moderate psoriasis. Experts share how to maximize its benefits
Chances are, you already know about aloe vera’s ability to soothe sunburns and comfort otherwise irritated skin—making it a summertime must-have. But there’s a reason you might want to slather it on year-round, too: Aloe vera may be an effective treatment for psoriasis.
Psoriasis (PsO) is a chronic condition caused by an overactive immune system that produces excessive skin cells, which appear as itchy or painful plaques on the skin. Aloe vera seems to ease psoriasis skin symptoms in the way that it calms a sunburn: through its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Curious to know more? We asked top dermatologists what makes aloe vera one of the most effective home remedies for psoriasis, and how to use it to get the best results.
Can Aloe Vera Help Treat Psoriasis?
Aloe vera has been shown to be a promising treatment for several skin concerns, including psoriasis. “Aloe vera has established itself as a natural remedy for treating skin conditions because of its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties,” says Brendan Camp, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. (For that same reason, it’s also a popular home remedy for eczema.)
Multiple studies support aloe’s effectiveness for fast psoriasis flare relief, according to Steve Daveluy, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, MI. In fact, the results are so promising that aloe just might merit a spot in your psoriasis medicine cabinet.
Benefits of Aloe Vera for Psoriasis
The main advantage of aloe vera is that it may reduce the prominence of visible skin lesions that appear with plaque psoriasis, the most common kind of psoriasis. Dr. Camp points to a study in Tropical Medicine and International Health, which found that aloe vera can clear plaques and lower patients’ Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores, which is a measure of how severe a given case of psoriasis is. The research determined aloe was “helpful in addressing psoriasis symptoms such as redness, scaling, and number of patches,” he says.
Another study in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology compared it to 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide (TA), a topical steroid, among patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. By the end of eight weeks, the aloe vera cream seemed to be more effective at reducing patients’ PASI score, with the authors concluding: “Both treatments have similar efficacy in improving the quality of life of patients with mild to moderate psoriasis.”
Risks of Aloe Vera for Psoriasis
If you’re thinking about trying it, you should know that there are few to no risks of using aloe vera to treat psoriasis, since an allergy to aloe is very rare, according to Dr. Daveluy. “In fact, it’s the other ingredients in aloe vera products, like the preservatives, that have the potential to cause an allergic reaction,” he explains. “That means the risk of allergy to aloe vera products is no more than other skin-care products—and lower than many.”
A review in Phytotherapy Research of the current research on using aloe vera to treat psoriasis determined that it’s well-tolerated, and no serious side effects were reported.
The impact on the immune system is a big deal. Aloe vera contains molecules called polysaccharides, which have been found to lower inflammation, accelerate wound healing, and even promote skin regeneration—so they’re great for your average cut or skin injury, even if you don’t have psoriasis. But one study in Molecular Medicine Reports, which measured the effect of the primary aloe polysaccharide on various cell cultures (including one that mimicked psoriatic skin), found that it could inhibit the production of skin cells triggered by the immune system. This ability is important because the immune system triggers skin cells to grow much more quickly than normal in people with psoriasis.
Second, as an antioxidant, aloe vera may help counteract oxidative stress, an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body that leads to cell damage and is closely linked with inflammation in the skin. Finally, a systematic review of studies shows that polysaccharides found in aloe vera may also increase collagen production—which is key to helping wounds heal—and help skin retain moisture.
Applying Aloe Vera for Psoriasis
The current research has only found aloe helpful in treating mild to moderate psoriasis—so it may not be ideal for severe cases. And, as always, it’s best to use home remedies like this in conjunction with an overarching psoriasis treatment plan, so talk to your doctor first to make sure it fits into your management strategy.
If you’re using aloe vera directly from the plant on your skin, “it is a good idea to do a patch test first before using the gel more liberally on your skin,” says Dr. Camp. Watch out to be sure you’re not applying the aloe vera latex, which can cause skin irritation. (The latex is yellow, whereas the aloe vera gel is clear, according to the Mayo Clinic.)
What Type of Aloe Vera Should You Buy?
“If you’re using an over-the-counter aloe vera gel extract, make sure that it contains a high concentration of aloe vera,” says Dr. Camp. “Some products may claim to be aloe vera-based products, but list it far down on the ingredient list, meaning that aloe vera is present only in a small percentage.” (The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends looking for creams that contain at least 0.5% aloe.)
Creams may be your best bet, since gels can contain alcohol, which “carries a risk of stinging when applied,” says Dr. Daveluy. Still, if you already have an aloe vera gel that doesn’t cause discomfort, he says it’s likely OK to use.
If you don’t want to go with a pure aloe vera product, another option is to find the ingredient paired alongside other science-backed active ingredients for psoriasis. MG217 Psoriasis Medicated Multi Symptom Relief Ointment pairs aloe with coal tar, while TriDerma Psoriasis Control Face and Body Cream blends it with salicylic acid and colloidal oats. Both have the Seal of Recognition from the National Psoriasis Foundation, which indicates that they’ve been reviewed for safety by a panel of experts.
Psoriasis can cause serious discomfort, but in addition to a derm-approved treatment plan, aloe vera can bring you relief from symptoms. Try aloe for yourself and see if it helps—just make sure you’re buying the real deal to get real benefits!
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