Psoriasis is a skin condition identified by visible flaking and scaling of the skin, followed by itching and a burning sensation. Psoriasis can affect different body parts, mainly the scalp, elbows, toes, genitals, knees, armpits, and hands.
Ayurvedic philosophy states that the condition is caused by impurities in the blood linked to psychological factors. According to Ayurveda, psoriasis is caused by an imbalance in all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) to variable degrees, but mostly Vata and Kapha.
The Vata dosha is primarily responsible for skin discomfort, dryness, and scaling. Pitta vitiation creates a burning sensation, redness, inflammation, and other symptoms, whereas Kapha vitiation causes rashes, itching, discharge, skin thickening, and other symptoms. The participation of Dosha in each patient is carefully analyzed based on these symptoms, which is especially significant in Ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of psoriasis can vary from person to person depending upon the type of psoriasis they are suffering from. But the most common symptoms are:
- Plaques and scaly skin.
- Rashes on the skin.
- Itchiness and redness.
- Light black, brown, or white patches on the skin.
- Soreness around patches.
- Burning sensation.
- Dry or cracked skin.
- Anxiety & discomfort.
- Pain and inflammation in the joints.
- Burning sensation.
- Thick/pitted nails.
Common types of Psoriasis are:
- Psoriasis vulgaris – Psoriasis vulgaris is the most common form of psoriasis. It causes patches of scaly, inflamed skin and can occur across the body.
- Plaque psoriasis – Plaques can appear anywhere on the body, although they most often appear on the scalp, knees, elbows, and torso. Plaque psoriasis often accompanies nail psoriasis which may look like discoloration, pitting, or separation of the nail from the nail bed.
- Guttate psoriasis – This is a form of acute psoriasis seen as a shower of small, pink-red, scaly ‘raindrops’ that has fallen over the body. This mainly affects children and young adults. It is the second most common form of psoriasis in children after chronic plaque psoriasis.
- Inverse psoriasis – This is a form of psoriasis that occurs in skin folds, such as in the armpits and under the breasts. It is an immune-mediated inflammatory skin condition that causes itchy, scaly plaques to appear.
- Pustular psoriasis – Pustular psoriasis is a form of psoriasis that looks like scaly, discolored patches of skin with fluid-filled blisters or pustules.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis – This is an uncommon, aggressive, inflammatory form of psoriasis. Symptoms include a peeling rash across the entire surface of the body.
- Scalp psoriasis – This causes thick, rough, scaly, dry, discolored plaques to develop on your scalp and the skin around your scalp
- Nail psoriasis – Nail psoriasis changes your toenails and fingernails look. They may get thick, develop pinprick holes and change color or shape.
- Psoriatic arthritis – Psoriatic arthritis can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in any joint in the body, but it often affects the knees, ankles, hands, and feet
- Oral psoriasis – Oral psoriasis can cause patches, spots, lesions, and sores on the tongue, cheeks, gums, or lips. These spots can appear paler or darker than surrounding tissues
How Does Ayurveda Help Manage Psoriasis?
Although the root cause of the disease is yet to be identified, in Ayurvedic Treatment for Psoriasis according to traditional Ayurveda, the vitiation of Vata and Kapha causes psoriasis. As per Ayurvedic principles, Vata and Kapha are the two basic energies that uphold the balance of our body equilibrium. Strong genetic proneness, sun deprivation, and intense streptococcal infection on the upper respiratory tract can badly worse psoriasis.
Uneven and unhealthy food habits, consumption of foodstuffs in the wrong combination (For example dairy products with fish or chicken), too much intake of yogurt, black gram, seafood, sour or salted foodstuffs, etc. can trigger psoriasis-inducing pathogenesis. Other catalysts that cause psoriasis include stress, alcohol, and tobacco consumption
Psoriasis can be effectively treated through Panchakarma Therapies like Vamana, Virechana, Rakta Mokshna, etc which include complete detoxification of the body, and successful elimination of harmful toxins from the body fluids. In chronic cases of psoriasis, where the condition has been dominant for many years, the practitioner may recommend repeated detoxification sessions. Certain Ayurveda therapies also help in alleviating the symptoms like:
Takradhara: This is a method of pouring a liquid that is made by cooking medicinal herbs in buttermilk. This is later rubbed over the forehead in rhythmic motion in order to stimulate the pituitary gland. It also helps in reducing pitta imbalances that trigger skin disorders.
Abhyangam: This is done to increase blood circulation and eliminate toxins from the body.
Basti treatment: It refers to the methodical cleansing of the colon with Ayurvedic herbal concoctions that help in the effective detoxification of the body.
Pathya (Do’s):
- Practice exercise daily.
- Consume healthier food.
- Losing weight helps keep hormones in check.
- Practice Yoga and Meditation.
- Regularly do Pranayama and breathing exercises.
- Consume old rice, barley, green gram, and bitter vegetables.
Apathya (Don’t):-
- Quit Smoking
- Avoid Junk, sticky, packaged, preserved food or coffee beverages
- Avoid Sour, salty, heat-producing items like pepper, etc.- curd, milk, jaggery, the meat of marshy animals, sesame seeds, black gram is contraindicated
- Alcoholic liquor should be avoided
- Move away from sedentary lifestyles
- Excess sleep for the day, and eating straight after dinner should be avoided.
- Keep away from stress
Take Away
At Ayurclinic, we offer holistic treatment for various skin disorders and health conditions. Since Ayurveda recommends a holistic approach to managing this condition, it requires a combination of Ayurvedic medicinal supplements, diet, Yoga, and Ayurveda therapies. We have the expertise and experienced Ayurveda practitioners to help you get the correct diagnosis and the right guidance to manage this condition.
If you or anyone dear to you is suffering from psoriasis, get in touch with us today. Book an appointment with our experienced doctor who can suggest an effective Ayurvedic Treatment plan for Psoriasis treatment.
