Scratch! Scratch! and Scratch! Those suffering from psoriasis are very much familiar with the word “scratch”. Psoriasis is one of the common skin disorders affecting both men and women equally. It is an unpleasant skin condition that affects about 2% of the population, roughly six million people. Normally, appearing between 15 to 30 years of age, psoriasis stays for entire life. It can occur in any part of the body but most commonly affected areas include the knees, scalp, elbows, knuckles, lower back and sacral areas.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. People with psoriasis are bound to suffer from other health problems like depression, diabetes, and heart conditions. In addition, not only are psoriasis flare-ups aggravating but can also hamper your self-confidence. It inherits the ability to adversely ruin your external beauty.
How does psoriasis occur?
Psoriasis occurs when your immune system goes out of control and sends wrong signals which ultimately trigger unwanted growth of skin cells. This results in accumulation of skin cells quickly on the skin’s surface. These extra skin cells will then form silvery and thick scales together with dry, itchy, and red patches, which are sometimes painful.
The condition can further worsen due to stress, skin injuries and medications, ill-habits like smoking and drinking alcohol. If you are able to inhibit the triggers, then you will be able to control the symptoms of psoriasis along with diet.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis?
The signs and symptoms of psoriasis vary from person to person; however, some common symptoms are:
1. Red patches and silvery scales on skin
2. Small scaling spots
3. Extremely dry and cracked skin that tends to bleed
4. Itching burning or soreness on your skin
5. Thickened ridged or pitted nails
6. Stiff and swollen joints
The Diet
Your diet plays a major role in managing, controlling and preventing psoriasis. It is important to take charge of your diet and eat what is right to manage psoriasis.
Food-to-avoid-list
- Red Meat: Red meat contains a polyunsaturated fat called arachidonic acid that worsens psoriasis symptoms because it can easily be converted into inflammatory compounds. Also, avoid processed meats, such as sausage and bacon.
- Dairy Products: They also contain the natural inflammatory arachidonic acid that causes inflammation of the skin.
- Junk Foods: Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition, and junk foods tend to be high in saturated and trans fats. Junk foods, refined starches and sugars promote inflammation. Avoid them in your diet.
- Gluten: This protein is found in rye, wheat, and barley and should be avoided since it can aggravate psoriasis symptoms.
- Alcohol: Quit alcohol. It worsens psoriatic symptoms. Alcohol opens the blood vessels in the skin and inflammatory mediators sneak into the outer layers of your skin more easily resulting in inflammation.
Food-to-eat-list
- Fish and seafood – Omega-3 fatty acids, a good fat found abundant in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and albacore tuna are useful psoriasis in treatment.
- Colorful vegetables – A diet that is high in fruits and vegetables can have an anti-inflammatory effect. Specific vegetables that have inflammation-fighting properties include carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, and broccoli.
- Grains – Grains such as whole-grain bread, cereal, and pasta; oatmeal; and brown rice are another component of an overall healthy diet. They contain a variety of anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants that lower inflammation and regulate blood sugar levels.
- Lean meats – Fatty red meats have been linked to increased inflammation in the body. Instead, try fatty cuts of lean meat.
- Nuts and avocados – Polyunsaturated fats are found in nuts, vegetable oils, and avocados and monounsaturated fats found in soybean oil, walnuts and flaxseed that lower inflammation.
- Garlic – Garlic prevents the activity of enzymes responsible for inflammation.
Try out Ayurvedic medicine for psoriasis – Imupsora
Herbs such as Rubia cordifolia (Manjishtha) Curcuma longa (Haridra), Picorrhiza kurroa (Katuki), Fumaria officinalis (Parpata), Triphala and Hemidesmus indicus (Sariva) aid in removing dead skin cells, prevent skin cell multiplication, modulate immune system, and possess anti-inflammatory and antipruritic properties. Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) relieves anxiety and psoriatic stress and possesses euthymic (‘mood normalizing’) activity. TouchUpLaser treatment is also an important beauty step not to be missed.
A combination of these herbs is present in IMUPSORA tablets manufactured by Charak Pharma that controls inflammation, restores immune response and helps to treat symptoms of psoriasis. IMUPSORA is an effective systemic therapy for the Psoriasis Psoriasis treatmentreatment.
In nutshell, let food be thy medicine for psoriasis. No more scratching if you follow the diet strictly and consume Ayurvedic medicine for psoriasis – Imupsora. No need to hide anymore. Be the original “YOU”