Editor's note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published on December 4, 2017.
To those who do not have psoriasis, it may seem like a minor condition that is a little unsightly and a little irritating. However, it can actually be a long-term skin condition, evidenced by patches of skin anywhere on the body that are not only scaly and irritated, but also swollen and painful. It can also lead to other, more serious problems.
Today, more than 7.5 million people in the United States suffer from this chronic condition.One It is caused by a buildup of cells not only on the surface but also deeper, often causing joint pain due to psoriatic arthritis. Furthermore, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and even depression have also been linked to psoriasis.
Conventional treatments for psoriasis range from topical, over-the-counter creams and ointments to intravenous, tablet or liquid oral medications, depending on the type and severity. These include biologic response modifiers, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and retinoids, each with their own side effects.
Interestingly, half of those who tried these treatments reported no success of any kind. Emedicine also covers photochemical therapy known as PUVA (psoralen and ultraviolet A radiation). This is a common technique used for psoriasis patients and is an example of the types of side effects people may experience.
“According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) guidelines, PUVA may provide long-term relief, but in Caucasians, long-term use of PUVA may increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and malignant melanoma.”2
Psoriasis treatment is expensive. For example, in 2013, the annual cost of psoriasis in the United States was approximately $112 billion.three According to Psoriasis.org,4 This condition can cost up to $135 billion. Psoriasis can develop at any time, usually between the ages of 30 and 50, and is influenced by the immune system, genes, environment, and perhaps a combination of all of these factors.
Here’s a study showing that aloe vera is a safer and more effective protocol for treating psoriasis than established treatments. A 2012 university study5 Aloe vera gel has been shown to be 81% effective in relieving psoriasis symptoms.
Types of psoriasis
There are generally five types of psoriasis, some milder than others. The types are:
• Reverse psoriasis – Early detection is important to identify the source of the inflammation, which is important to prevent joint damage from worsening. The lesions are smooth and shiny and are usually found in skin folds around the armpits, groin area, buttocks, under the breasts, and around the genitals.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis — This type is inflammatory, so it can affect the rest of the body and turn bright red. Some say it is due to an imbalance in body chemistry. It can be flaky, painful, itchy, swollen due to fluid retention, and it can cause problems with body temperature regulation.
However, there are many other possible causes, including discontinuation of treatment, systemic use of cortisone or steroids, severe sunburn, stress, infections, and use of allergy medications that cause Kovner's phenomenon (the tendency for psoriasis to appear in places where there is injury).
• Plaque psoriasis – By far the most common of all types of psoriasis, it is characterized by raised, inflamed lesions that appear red, scaly, sometimes turning white or silvery, and appear mainly on the patient's knees, elbows, scalp, and lower back.
• Mucinous psoriasis – This type is often found in children or adolescents and is characterized by small red spots on the skin rather than hard spots. Triggers include skin injuries, sunburn, bacterial or viral upper respiratory infections, excessive alcohol consumption, or prescription medications.
• Pustular psoriasis – As the name suggests, this type causes small white blisters containing pus, often surrounded by red skin, and usually appear in the same area, such as the hands, feet, or entire body, depending on the individual.
Aloe Vera – Old and New Remedies for Treating Skin Diseases
Aloe vera is a succulent plant that thrives in tropical regions around the world and has been used for thousands of years for its soothing properties, especially for skin ailments such as burns, rashes, cuts, and abrasions.
Those who support the medicinal use of this plant used trade routes such as the spice route that crossed Africa, India, the Middle East, and South America, and stretched as far north as the southern United States. Scientists count more than 500 species of this unique plant with thorny, mottled leaves. The aloe plant consists of four layers.6
- The shell is a strong, protective layer.
- Sap is a bitter liquid layer that helps protect the plant from animals.
- The mucilage (gel) inside the leaf
- Inner gel
This gel contains most of the healing compounds, including essential amino acids, antioxidants, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and many lesser-known but essential compounds that the body needs but cannot produce. Perhaps most importantly, wound healing comes from the fact that aloe vera is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antibiotic and antimicrobial. And that’s just a short list.
Aloe vera gel is an adaptogen, meaning it also contains plant sterols and other phenolic compounds that help you cope with physical, emotional, and environmental stress.
Use Aloe Vera for Psoriasis and Other Skin Problems
Part of the discomfort of psoriasis is that the skin can crack. In terms of pain, it can be comparable to getting 12 paper cuts in one spot. However, a 2015 review of several studies found that7 Aloe vera has shown promise in treating this painful condition and other skin conditions, including:
- Wound healing – Properties associated with a compound called glucomannan help promote wound healing and skin cell growth.
- Skin Hydration — It always feels better to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated, and aloe vera gel does just that. One study8 It has been shown to be effective even with a single application. However, with continued use, the moisturizing effect tends to decrease.
- Reduce inflammation – A 2008 study,9 Although aloe vera has not been specifically studied for its role in treating psoriasis, studies have shown that the gel is more effective than a placebo in treating skin conditions including UV-induced erythema and redness caused by vasodilation.
- Collagen production – Studies have shown that aloe vera can help produce more collagen, keeping your skin firm and elastic.
Today's Medical News10 You can buy aloe vera gel at most health food stores and pharmacies, but it is said that buying the plant is just as easy and effective. If you choose a commercial product, make sure you buy a quality product. Lawsuits have been filed against big companies like Target and Walmart because some of their private label aloe vera products were found to not contain aloe vera at all.
If you grow it yourself, you will always have fresh aloe vera on hand, even if you get a cut, scratch, or psoriasis flare-up. Break or cut off a small part of the leaf and cut off one edge, like opening a book, to expose the gel inside. The gel can be applied directly to the affected area of skin up to three times a day.
If you're looking to buy a topical aloe vera cream, some experts recommend a 0.5% aloe content, but we wonder why anyone would advise using such a low concentration of aloe vera when the actual gel extracted from the plant works just fine.
This shows that while many health advocates believe that adding some (or less) natural ingredients to expensive topical creams is beneficial, this is only true for the seller, not the buyer.
Precautions for Aloe Vera
Aloe vera capsules or tablets can be dangerous due to side effects such as diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, and even liver damage, reports AloePlant.info.11 Be warned. There is also a risk of miscarriage or birth defects for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, children under 12, people with liver problems (which can affect blood sugar levels), or those preparing for surgery. And according to Healthline, some people are extremely allergic to aloe vera.
“Before covering larger areas, do a patch test on a small, inconspicuous area of skin and wait to see if you experience any adverse reactions. Topical aloe vera is safe for most people with psoriasis to use, except those who are allergic to it.
If you experience an allergic reaction to aloe vera gel, stop using it immediately and check the affected area to see if the rash or inflammation goes away. Some people may be at higher risk for allergic reactions to aloe vera than others. This includes people who are allergic to plants in the lily family (garlic, onions, tulips).”12
Other Natural Psoriasis Treatments
Cold, dry weather can trigger an outbreak. Keeping your skin optimally hydrated can help alleviate symptoms. Also, drink plenty of water to keep your urine light straw-colored, hydrate from the inside out, and consume high-quality animal-based omega-3 fats.
The best sources of omega-3 are marine fats such as krill oil or fish oil. Plant-based sources of omega-3 do not provide the clinical benefits needed to reduce inflammation and swelling in the skin. However, omega-3 fats are still polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), so be careful not to consume too much, as excessive intake can be problematic.
Also, reduce exposure to harsh soaps and avoid over-bathing, which can dry out your skin. When washing your skin, especially in winter, use very mild soaps to avoid stripping your skin of its moisture.
Avoiding processed sugars can help normalize insulin levels and reduce inflammatory conditions, including skin inflammation. You may not realize it, but the health and quality of your skin is closely linked to the health of your gut.
In addition to these tips, Medical News Today13 We also list several other traditional and homeopathic treatment strategies for psoriasis, some of which may be helpful when used with aloe vera.
Capsaicin relieves psoriasis pain by blocking pain receptors.14 |
Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce inflammation and relieve pain and swelling. |
Adding oats to a bath or making a paste may help relieve symptoms. |
Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) cream may help relieve psoriatic skin irritation, but should only be used topically.15 |
Adding Epsom salt to a warm bath can help reduce joint pain and inflammation because of its magnesium content. |
Turmeric has been shown to alleviate psoriasis symptoms by altering gene expression when added to foods or supplements.16 |
Ginger may help relieve inflamed joints.17 Even for osteoarthritis and psoriasis |
To treat dry patches of the scalp due to psoriasis, mixing apple cider vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio may help. |
Another study found that using aloe vera along with coconut oil and olive oil may be a good way to treat psoriasis, as coconut oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and acts as an emollient.18
Aloe vera oil, on the other hand, can be used as an essential oil, as a massage oil to relieve pain and inflammation, and in aromatherapy and other skin care treatments. There is evidence that when combined with bitter cucumber, it can help lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
