Psoriasis: Living well and Healthy

Author: Wayne Mcdonald

Psoriasis is a non-contagious, lifelong skin disease. According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis.

There are five types of psoriasis.

#1-Plaque psoriasis - Most common form of the disease

#2-Guttate psoriasis - Appears as small red spots on the skin

#3-Inverse psoriasis - Occurs in armpits, groin and skin folds

#4-Pustular psoriasis - White blisters surrounded by red skin

#5-Erythrodermic psoriasis - Intense redness over large areas

Plaque psoriasis appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale. Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body such as the scalp, the face, the hands and even the nails.

Treatment Overview

At this time there is no cure for Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. There are many different types of treatment that can reduce, or nearly stop, the symptoms of psoriasis. No single treatment works for everyone and some people use a combination of treatments.

Here are five tips for treating the symptoms of psoriasis (see our disclaimer at the bottom of this article).

TIP#1---Caring for your Scalp

For my dry and tight scalp I use Alberto VO5 Oasis shampoo and conditioner. It takes care of the psoriasis on my scalp, leaving it well moisturized that I don't have to put mineral oil on my scalp overnight. It also minimizes psoriasis scalp flakes.

TIP#2---Dealing with Itching

Today, out of desperation, I tried Lanacane on my hands right after a Narrow Band Light treatment. A couple of hours passed. The rest of my guttate psoriasis drove me wild! My hands?? Not at all!! I then bathed in the Aveeno Oatmeal bath mix. and applied, to my wet body, Burts Bees Apricot Kernel Baby Oil. But, most of all, I was super impressed with the Lanacane. It worked for me. I am just newly diagnosed and had no clue this itching could be so severe. Gayle, WA

TIP#3---Herbs and Dietary Supplements

I have had guttate psoriasis for 34 years and it always fluctuates between being good and bad based on stress, weather, etc... I have gone through years of creams, light treatments and avoidance altogether until a friend told me about Omega 3-6-9 gel caps with flax, borage and fish oil. My skin has improved markedly and I no longer treat myself with UVB light treatments on a regular basis!

TIP#4---Homemade oatmeal bath

I grind about 3/4 of a cup of regular dry oatmeal in a blender, then pour it into a clean knee-high nylon stocking. Run bath water through the stocking. When you're done filling the tub, knot the stocking at the top and use the remains for a "loofah." This helps keep my skin soft. I follow with Aveeno moisturizing oil lotion.

TIP#5---Scale Removal Tips and Products

I saw how well my son's cradle cap treatment worked on his scalp, I decided to try it on my face and ears. It worked like a charm! It is Gentle Naturals cradle cap treatment by Oragel. It has a pleasant scent, and is moisturizing as well. I apply it about 1/2 hour before my shower and use a washcloth to gently massage the skin.

Source: National Psoriasis Foundation/USA

Although there is no cure for psoriasis, there are treatments that can reduce, or nearly stop, the symptoms of psoriasis. Work with your doctor, read articles about psoriasis, and join a support group. Soon --- You will be Living Well With Psoriasis.

Disclaimer: The information presented is only for discussion. Check with your doctor before beginning any new treatment. And always make sure your doctor is aware of any natural or herbal product (including vitamins and supplements) you are using, as some may interact with prescription medications. Results and personal experiences will vary from person to person.

Copyright (C) 2007 Wayne McDonald

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/psoriasis-living-well-and-healthy-273745.html

About the Author: Get the Facts. Psoriasis Resources and Links, Psoriasis Articles, Psoriasis Treatments and Natural Remedies, plus Tips to Living well with psoriasis at http://www.psoriasistlc.com/

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Using Honey to Heal Infections

By: Frank Buonanotte

Honey has been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of medical conditions such as wounds, burns, skin ulcers and scrapes. Now researchers are discovering strong antimicrobial properties in a special type of honey which is made by honeybees that gather nectar from a particular flower, indigenous to New Zealand. This special honey is called "Manuka Honey" and it is now being used as a main ingredient in various health care products on account of its incredible ability to heal.

Even though honey was used as a medicine thousands of years ago, it lost its popularity as a wound dressing when antibiotics were invented during World War II. However, new research is bringing this natural remedy back into the contemporary medical use, especially with the increase in Staph infections and findings of antibiotic-resistant strains bacteria.

Manuka Honey helps wounds in several ways. Its thickness provides a protective barrier around the wound. The hydrogen peroxide it contains is released slowly, killing bacteria that may exist in the wound. Manuka Honey also reduces inflammation and speeds up the growth of healthy tissue. It even makes wounds smell better. Scientists believe this could be because when the bacteria in wounds eat the sugar that's in the honey, they give off sweeter smelling gases. Patients that use Manuka Honey dressings on their wounds report that they experience less pain, leaking of wound fluid and scarring.

The special bacteria-killing properties found in Manuka Honey comes from the nectar of the flowers on the tea tree (Leptospermum) which grows wild in New Zealand. This antibacterial component has become known as the "Unique Manuka Factor" or more commonly known as UMF. Manuka Honey has been proven in clinical studies to destroy MRSA and heal staph infections where antibiotics have failed. This is gaining increased interest within the medical community as more cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria plague our hospitals and communities. Manuka Honey has worked in very desperate cases where nothing else has.

To make Manuka Honey, beekeepers set their hives close to tea trees so the bees will gather their nectar. Since the Manuka tree is indigenous to New Zealand and certain parts of Australia, this special type of honey is becoming quite a commodity.

Studies so far have found no negative side effects to using Manuka Honey for medical purposes either internally or topically on the skin. One U.S. manufacturer called Honeymark International uses Manuka Honey in all their health care products and is now developing a line of cosmetic products containing Manuka Honey, due to be released later this year. "Honeymark currently has products to treat conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, infected wounds, arthritis, ringworm, athlete's foot, etc.," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Shortly we'll be introducing a Shampoo, Conditioner, Moisturizer, Liquid Hand Soap, Antiseptic Spray, Sanitizing Hand Gel and an Anti-Aging Serum, all containing Manuka Honey."


For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com