Treatment for psoriasis autoimmune disease chronic autoimmune

Treatment for psoriasis autoimmune disease chronic autoimmune

Body & Mind | Fine Beauty and HealthPsoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that shows on the skin. It is the most common autoimmune disease in the United States affecting some 7.5 million people.  Approximately 30 percent of all cases develop psoriatic arthritis. Symptoms of swelling and stiffness in the joints and general pain occur.But what exactly is a “chronic autoimmune disease”? What are the symptoms of psoriasis? Better yet, what is the treatment for psoriasis? Isn’t psoriatic arthritis what pro golfer Phil Mickelson have?Before I get started I just wanted to let you know that I have psoriasis. I was diagnosed with it back in the early 1980’s. Through many trials and tribulations of crèmes, lotions, injections, natural remedies and some remedies that weren’t so natural-I’ve run the gamut of psoriasis treatments. I’m here to tell you that although there is no cure for psoriasis there are many solutions.It is very scary when you learn of having a chronic autoimmune disease.

 What it means is that you have a condition that is persistent and generally last for several months or more. With autoimmune, “the immune system can't tell the difference between healthy body tissue and antigens. The result is an immune response that destroys normal body tissues,” according to Medline Plus.Symptoms of psoriasis are as diverse as is how and where it will manifest. Probably the best known form of psoriasis is scalp psoriasis. All sorts of shampoos like Head and Shoulders and Tegrin Dandruff Shampoo have been on the market for decades to as a treatment for psoriasis.The most effective psoriasis shampoos have a coal tar base to them. One of the most effective is Neutrogena TGel Therapeutic Shampoo. And yes, you read that correctly; Coal tar is the active ingredient. The amount of tar is usually around 0.5 percent.I used a tar based shampoo for years. It does have a particular odor to it but not overpowering or overly offensive. You would think it would color the hair but I never noticed any change.Coal tar is also the active ingredient for over the counter topical skin treatments. MG217 and Blue Star Ointment are some popular non-prescription products. But nothing ever helped my condition.

Applying coal tar tour skin and then getting dressed can present some problems. More than likely the manifestation of chronic plaque psoriasis is not isolated to a small area of the body but rather spread in specific locations all over. Applying a crème, particularly a tar based crème all over your body can be somewhat problematic.There are several different types of psoriasis according to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF).Plaque Psoriasis, which is the most common form of psoriasis occurs 80 percent of the time. The symptoms include “raised, inflamed, red lesions covered by a silvery white scale. It is typically found on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back,” according to NPF.Guttate Psoriasis presents as red drop-like lesions. According to Web MD, “Guttate psoriasis is not contagious and usually occurs on the trunk, arms, or legs. However, it may cover a large portion of the body.

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The trigger of the disease is usually a streptococcal (bacterial) infection.”Inverse Psoriasis is often first thought to be a rash. It presents itself in skin folds such as armpits, waistline and buttocks area.Pustular Psoriasis is not common but manifests as pus-filled blisters. It is not contagious. Pustular psoriasis can be localized or wide spread.Here are pictures of psoriasis courtesy of Medicine NetPowerful Psoriasis TreatmentsThere are some very power injections for the treatment of psoriasis. These shots come in hypodermic and pin form and are self administered. Some of the better known medicines are “Enbrel” and “Humira”.According to Humira these injections are, “in a class of medications called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of TNF, a substance in the body that causes inflammation”.Enbrel states that, “Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a substance made by your body's immune system. People with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis have too much TNF in their bodies. ENBREL reduces levels of the active form of TNF.”I can personally attest that these shots work. And here’s a bonus. TNF inhibitors treat the psoriasis and the psoriatic arthritis as well. So if you have both one shot will treat them all.I’ve been saving the best for last.

Here is a great and fun treatment for psoriasis- A day at the beach. Actually several days at the beach.Bruce Strober, MD, director of the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Center at NYU Medical Center tells WebMD that with humid air, “The skin is better able to retain moisture, which is key to easing those dry plaques. Moreover, he says, since UVA is a recommended treatment for psoriasis, the natural UVA rays of summer sun can be therapeutic.”Psoriasis Home RemediesThe salt water and the salt in the air also have tremendous benefit. I have discovered if I go in the water for 10-15 minutes and then come out and “air dry” that the most benefits are gained. I also discovered that if I am able to do this 2-3 times in a single week that the positive effects will last for well over a month.Now am I suggesting a fun in the sun Florida vacation? Well, huh-Yes! But it doesn’t have to be Florida. I have direct access to North Carolina beaches. But it does need to be ocean waters and not sound or back bay where the water salinity is lower and salt in the air is less.Bath salts benefits are minimal if not negligible at best. I have bought bath salts, which aren’t cheap and filled my bath tub and soaked for up to an hour at a time. I just never saw any results.If you have psoriasis or think you have psoriasis then schedule an appointment with a dermatologist now. Although psoriasis is incurable it can also be managed very successfully.