Treating Winter Psoriasis the Natural and Inexpensive Way

Psoriasis is a difficult, irritating and, often, debilitating skin disorder. It is recognized by its white, raised scaly patches on the skin. It is thought to be genetic, and usually starts to show up during young adulthood. It can erupt suddenly. First the patch of itching on the forearm, and then the scales appear, along with flaky skin that can make victims seek isolation rather than allow their skin disorder to be embarrassingly noticed by others. Often, people struggle with this disease for many years before the find the treatment that works adequately for them. But this does not have to be. Even though there are some excellent conventional treatments out there, not all regularly prescribed steroid creams can stop the itching and pain. Below is a list of some natural treatments that have provided great relief for a good many psoriasis sufferers.

1) Common Sense - The most important aspect to natural psoriasis treatment is to use common sense. When you are suffering from psoriasis, you are suffering from severely dry skin. So don't dry it out even more! When you are in the middle of a psoriasis attack, take frequent long baths, soaking your skin in warm (NOT HOT) water for, at least, 45 minutes or until the water runs cold. If psoriasis mostly affects the face, put a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the face before showering, as to protect the particularly sensitive facial skin from the burn of extremely hot water. Only pat yourself damp/dry, but do not completely dry. Immediately, before you are even dry enough to put clothing on, generously apply a therapeutic cream or ointment, allowing it to soak into the skin slowly. But NEVER use a scented lotion. Lotions, especially those with scents, can actually encourage more itching and possible infection. So avoid lotions whenever possible.

2) Shampoos and Soaps - Using a shampoo with with tar coal and avoiding harsh or scented soaps can also help, especially, for an effected scalp.

3) Do not scrub! -It is the same as scratching. Not good for inflamed skin.

4) Sunshine - Getting out into the sun for 15 minutes a day can help to significantly lessen the red patches on the skin.

5) Homeopathy and Naturopathy - Mercurius is a homeopathic treatment that has shown great success in the treatment of Psoriasis, and creams from the aloe vera plant can offer great soothing relief. Aloe vera is also a great immune booster, and its juice can be consumed, up to two ounces a day, for those who suffer from chronic disease like psoriasis.

6) Liver Protection - In some cases, psoriasis points to a problem with the liver, so it is best to avoid those substances that will make it harder for the liver to filter toxins. Coffee, alcohol and animal proteins should be avoided. Instead, psoriasis suffers should consume a lot of fatty fish like mackerel and salmon. If you do not like fish, taking Fish Oil supplements can have the same effect. Fish oil itself is an excellent treatment for skin problems, even for acne or rosacea.

7) Avoid Stress - It has long been accepted, by both conventional and alternative medicine, that psoriasis (like many illnesses) is exacerbated by stress, and since the winter is packed with high stress holidays, it is infinitely important that the psoriasis sufferer learn to manage stress well. One effective and tangible way to do this is to keep a "stress/peace log", detailing in a notebook those things which bring a small or large amount of stress. One can then be able to even note when unknown stresses are about to arise and learn effective ways to avoid them. Keep irritating people and situations as far away as possible, and remember that healing yourself is a gift to others, as it provides you with more time to spend with family and friends during the often drying months of winter.

8) Use a moist humidifier - Dry skin will be instantly soothed by a little bit of humidity in your house. Anything to combat the especially dry surroundings created by wood stoves, electric or coal heat will be a psoriasis sufferer's saving grace.

Psoriasis is debilitating, but it does not have to be. Much of recovery is up to the will and determination of the sufferer.