Many people with psoriasis seek relief through complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Curcumin and fish oil have both been shown to significantly improve symptoms; acupuncture may reduce stress and depression among patients with the condition.
Topical treatments — such as creams and ointments that inhibit skin cell division quickly or remove scales — can be helpful. Injection or oral (systemic) drugs like tacrolimus (Protopic) or pimecrolimus can reduce inflammation.
1. Aloe extract cream
Aloe vera may be familiar to you from its use on minor burns and wounds, but this plant with gel-filled leaves may also help relieve symptoms of psoriasis. One study revealed that applying cream containing 0.5 percent aloe vera multiple times daily reduced redness, scaling and itching among individuals suffering mild to moderate cases of psoriasis. You can find commercial aloe vera products available in pharmacies and health food stores; more research needs to be conducted before it can be used as a stand-alone therapy against psoriasis.
Moisturizing can reduce itching and cracking in the skin, and some people have found relief by using aloe vera combined with topical corticosteroids such as triamcinolone acetonide (Trianex) or clobetasol (Cormax, Temovate and others) for long-term use. But beware – overdoing this treatment could thinning your skin – so make sure you speak to a healthcare provider first before trying them long term.
Homeopathy is another alternative treatment option that some individuals report success with for psoriasis, using diluted solutions of natural substances like sulfur and nickel as remedies. Homeopaths determine which remedies will be the most appropriate based on an individual’s overall picture – considering factors like lifestyle factors.
Coping strategies for psoriasis include covering affected areas with clothing or cosmetic cover-ups and staying hydrated, as well as getting some sunlight exposure which has been found to improve its appearance and other conditions. If possible, seek medical advice about the most beneficial way to do this as too much sun can trigger or worsen psoriasis and increase skin cancer risks. Another possible strategy may include taking supplements containing vitamin D like Vectical that slow cell division.
2. Fish oil supplements
Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that can help ease inflammation and itching, but before starting any nutritional supplement regime involving omega-3s or other nutritional components it’s wise to seek advice from your healthcare provider as there may be interactions with medications you are currently taking.
Emollients are lotions and creams designed to moisturise the skin, helping ease scaling and itching while creating a protective film to limit water loss. Your GP may recommend these remedies for treating mild cases of psoriasis as well as areas that easily become inflamed, like scalp or fold psoriasis.
Topical corticosteroids are among the most frequently prescribed treatments for psoriasis, and they come in oils, ointments, creams, foams and sprays. Your GP will likely try them first as an initial course of treatment; although they might feel sticky at first they tend to work effectively and are easy to apply.
Retinoids, which inhibit cell division, may help treat mild to moderate cases of psoriasis on the scalp and genital areas. Oral medications like Tazorac may also be an option; taken once or twice a day it could have serious side effects.
Light therapy (also called phototherapy) uses natural or artificial light sources to treat psoriasis. Exposure to UVB broadband light could improve single psoriasis patches, widespread psoriasis or persistent cases that don’t respond to other treatments.
Psoriasis’ cause remains unknown, although genetics, immune system dysfunction and stress could all play a part. You can attempt to avoid triggers by cutting back on alcohol consumption, smoking and sun exposure as well as practicing healthy living habits like regular exercise and maintaining a nutritious diet.
3. Oregon grape
Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) is an abundant flowering plant native to western North America that belongs to the Berberis family, and contains an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compound known as berberine, which may help ease symptoms associated with psoriasis.
Native Americans used the plant extensively as medicine. Today, it remains an ornamental species found throughout gardens and forests throughout the US. For medicinal use, however, harvest only those plants not exposed to herbicides or pesticides before collecting for your harvesting efforts.
Oregon grape’s main active ingredient, known as berberine, is an alkaloid found in yellow flowers that acts like the goldenseal and barberry chemicals in protecting themselves against microorganisms; similar effects could occur within humans by inhibiting microbial growth.
Herbalists have long used Oregon grape root and berry remedies for treating various conditions, including liver issues, digestive disorders, giardia, herpes infections, bacterial infections and colds/flus. As it contains strong bitter ingredients that stimulate production of digestive juices it’s ideal for excess or stagnation but should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers due to fears that its constituent berberine might cross placental barriers and cause contractions.
Though further research needs to be conducted, a 2006 double-blind study showed that using Oregon grape extract cream twice daily as part of a regimen could significantly alleviate symptoms associated with psoriasis. Before embarking on this remedy it’s wise to consult your dermatologist first so they can ensure it won’t interfere with any medications that might already be being taken by you.
4. Light therapy (phototherapy)
Light therapy may help control psoriasis for people suffering from widespread plaques or nail, scalp, or palmoplantar (sole) psoriasis. All forms require a valid prescription from a healthcare provider and are best performed under supervision by trained specialists.
Phototherapy uses UV rays–the same kind that cause sunburn–to slow skin cell growth and diminish lesions. NYU Langone’s phototherapy centers feature long, tube-shaped light bulbs emitting UVB light to penetrate skin layers to reduce inflammation and scales, while our specialists may employ narrow-band UVB light that does not need an light sensitizing agent like psoralen and therefore may produce less side effects.
Narrow-band UVB treatment may also be effective at home. One small study with 783 patients demonstrated that narrow band UVB treatments at home worked as effectively as office phototherapy for reducing symptoms and improving quality of life, although this treatment option has yet to be proven effective and people taking certain medications such as Tazarotene or Coal Tar may experience more sunburn while using sunlight as therapy.
Dithranol has been used for more than 50 years as an effective and side effect-free remedy against skin cells being produced, and this short-term hospital-supervised therapy typically works to address limb or trunk psoriasis that stains everything it touches including clothes and bathroom fixtures. Sometimes dithranol may also be combined with other therapies like tea tree oil from Australia’s Tea Tree Oil Plant which may reduce inflammation and itching as part of its treatment program for scalp psoriasis; some studies suggest it could reduce inflammation as well.
5. Oral or injected (systemic) drugs
If your psoriasis is severe and topical treatments are no longer working, your doctor may suggest stronger drugs that work across the body to suppress immune system or cell turnover, depending on its type and severity as well as any related comorbidities such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure and medications you’re already taking. These decisions depend on several factors including severity of symptoms as well as personal preferences as well as potential comorbidities (like heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure) which might impact its dosage and impactful impact in relation to life psoriasis affectiveness as well as medications you’re currently taking that could influence its dosage and efficacy based on different parameters based on how psoriasis affects you and how much it affects you and life it impacts on you; these decisions depend on its effects and severity as well as any possible other medical comorbidities ( like heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure), other conditions that exist as well as medications taken for other conditions besides psoriasis effects such as other illnesses or any coexisting medical conditions like high blood pressure or any coexisting medical issues like high blood pressure medications being taken simultaneously or coexisting.
These medications may be taken orally as liquid or pill dosage forms or injected subcutaneously using a syringe and ready-to-use pen, including cyclosporine, methotrexate or biologics. Although they can help to reduce new lesions and improve your quality of life, their side effects include suppressing your immune system which could increase risk for infections as well as health conditions like cancer; additionally liver or kidney damage may result from their use.
Biologic medicines have proven highly successful for many with plaque psoriasis. Biologics can be administered subcutaneously using ready-to-use pens or syringes or given intravenously at your doctor’s office a few times each week, targeting specific parts of the immune system that cause inflammation and overproduction of cells; additionally they reduce its associated itching and rashiness while helping people live with it more comfortably.
Biologics may not be recommended for people suffering from pustular psoriasis, as this form is contagious. Given their less-than-ideal tolerability profile compared to oral steroids, they’re usually only considered when other treatments fail or you simply can’t tolerate them; otherwise they should only be considered when other options don’t work or you simply cannot tolerate them. Some biologics can relieve plaque psoriasis in 40-70% of people within 3-4 months while also alleviating joint pain caused by psoriatic arthritis.
