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What is psoriasis?

Updated: Oct 31

Put down the steroid cream, there is a natural way to heal.


Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes the rapid growth of skin cells. This buildup of cells scaling on the skin’s surface.


Psoriatic scales are whitish-silver and develop in thick, red patches. Sometimes the patches can crack and bleed.



Symptoms of psoriasis


  • Red, raised, inflamed patches of skin

  • White-sliver scales or plagues on the red patches

  • Dry skin that may crack and maybe bleed

  • Soreness around patches

  • Itching and burning sensations around patches (many people do not feel itchy)

  • Painful, swollen joint or other areas of the body


Typically it develops on joints, such as elbows and knees.


It may also develop anywhere on the body, including hands, feet, neck, scalp, face and genitals.


Common triggers for psoriasis


  • Stress

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Injury to the skin, such as a cut or a severe sunburn

  • Heavy alcohol consumption

  • Smoking

  • Medication

  • Infection

  • Vitamin D deficiency

  • Chinese Medicine for Psoriasis


The reason in Chinese medicine theory for psoriasis are:


  1. Heat in the blood: the skin lesions are more fresh red, very itchy, feverish feeling, patient usually is irritable, dry mouth, constipation, yellow urine

  2. Blood deficiency: the psoriatic scales looks more pale red, dry skin, pale tongue body

  3. Blood stagnation: the skin lesions are dull red, sore, thick plages and hard to clear, patient with purple tongue body.



When you choose Chinese medicine to help with psoriasis, your practitioner will have a consultation with you for the whole health assessment and then distinguish the type of the psoriasis in Chinese medicine. In cases of psoriasis expected treatment can be 6 months to 1 year depending on the status of the body.


Here are some diet suggestions for psoriasis.


Suggested Foods


Grapefruit (clear heat and cool blood)

Winter melon

Spinach

Broccoli

Cabbage

Boi choi

Cucumber

Bean sprout

Celery

Carrot (rich with Vitamin A)

White radish (cooling in nature)

Eggplant (cool the blood, clear itchiness)

Potato (clear heat, reduce inflammation)

Watermelon

Pineapple

Pears (moisture the skin)

Figs (reduce pain)

Goji berry


Avoid:


Alcohol

Spicy food (chili)

Seafood (reduce the amount of intake)

Too much curry

Too much lamb (heat in nature)

Coffee

Cheese

Milk

Gluten/Wheat


In my experience, using a combination of western and eastern medicines, diet therapy, acupuncture and cupping to manage psoriasis has the best results.



Created by Kelsey Bru

Registered Acupuncturist + TCM Herbalist

Doctorate of Traditional Chinese Medicine

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