Psoriasis
By Dr Vijay
Vaishnav
http://www.drvaishnav.com/What is it? Psoriasis is a common, inflammatory disease of the skin.
What
causes it? Its cause is unknown, but it is genetically
determined. It is often familial, but does not appear to be inherited in
any regular dominant, sex-linked or recessive way. The disease has been
found to be of greater frequency in men than in women. It is less common
in African and Asian groups.What
are the symptoms? Well-defined red scaling patches on the extensor
surface of the body, especially the knees, elbows and the scalp,
characterize this disease. Each patch has a well-demarcated margin and
is raised above the skin surface. The affected skin is a variable shade
of red and the surface is often thrown up into large silvery scales. The nails
may also show various changes like “thimble-pitting”, separation or
deformities of the nail plate, brownish-black discoloration etc.Psoriasis is a
life long disorder that is subjected to unpredictable remissions and
relapses.Can
homoeopathy help? The following drugs are important
aids in the treatment of psoriasis:Lycopodium
It is suited to persons who are
mentally keen, but of weak muscular power. They are apprehensive and
afraid to be alone. They are extremely sensitive and little things annoy
them. Typically, the patient appears emaciated (he is thin and
withered), and full of gas. The right side of the body is peculiarly
affected and all the complaints seem to increase in the evening,
especially between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Skin diseases are often associated
with urinary, gastric or liver disorders. The skin becomes thick and
indurated. There is violent itching and the skin may show cracks and
fissures. It is dry and shrunken. The abdomen is bloated (especially the
lower part), and feels full immediately after a meal. There is dyspepsia
due to fermentable food like cabbages, peas and beans. They like to eat
sweet things and enjoy warm food and drinks.Arsenicum
iodatum The skin is dry and itches. There is a scaling
of the skin, and large scales fall off leaving a raw surface with an
exudation. Sometimes the beard region is affected which itches and
causes an oozing of a watery fluid.Kali
arsenicosum There is an intolerable itching of the skin
which is worse from warmth, walking and especially undressing. The skin
is dry and scaly; it appears wilted. There are fissures in the bends of
the elbows and the knees. The patient is generally nervous, restless and
anemic and worse from every change in the weather.Kali
sulphuricum is a Biochemic remedy which is useful for the
scaling of the skin as seen in Psoriasis. All ailments are accompanied
by excessive desquamation. The scales are large and yellow in color.Natrum
muriaticum is
useful in patients with a greasy skin. There are dry and crusty
eruptions, especially on the margin of the hair and the bends of joints.
The skin appears raw, red and inflamed. The psoriasis may follow grief,
disappointment, anger or fright. The person is depressed and does not
take kindly to consolation and sympathy. He may be prone to attacks of
migraine, usually affecting the left side of the head. The symptoms are
made worse from warmth, mental exertion, 10 a.m., and relieved in the
open air and from bathing with cold water. Exposure to the sun also
aggravates the skin complaints.A detailed history followed by
constitutional treatment by a good and qualified homoeopath is necessary
to treat psoriasis. It is not advisable to resort to self-medication for
any disease. The above mentioned drugs are just a few of the remedies
for psoriasis and are mentioned solely to create awareness about the
efficacy of homoeopathy in this disease.
Dr.
Vijay & Daxa Vaishnav 4 Indra
Dhanush North Avenue, Santa Cruz (West) Mumbai,
400054
Copyright © Dr. Vijay & Daxa Vaishnav 2000