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What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an auto-immune skin disease that most commonly manifests on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, or joints as red, itchy silvery scales. It can range from a few spots of dandruff-like scales to major silvery scales on the skin. It tends to relapse after a few weeks or months and is more likely to affect individuals with family history of similar skin conditions.

It is a common long-term disease that can be treated on the basis of the site and surface area of the skin, the thickness of plaques and scales and if there is involvement of arthritic joints or not.

How does psoriasis develop?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that develops due to a combination of genetic, immune system, and environmental factors. Here’s a breakdown of how it develops:

1. Immune System Malfunction

• Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells.

• In psoriasis, T-cells (a type of white blood cell) become overactive and trigger inflammation.

• This causes the skin to produce new cells too quickly—in days instead of weeks.

2. Genetic Predisposition

• Psoriasis often runs in families.

• Certain genes increase the likelihood of immune dysregulation and skin cell overproduction.

• Not everyone with the genes develops psoriasis—it usually needs an environmental “trigger.”

3. Environmental Triggers

These can initiate or worsen psoriasis in genetically predisposed people:

What Happens in the Skin?

1. Immune response → inflammation.

2. Skin cells start multiplying 10x faster.

3. Old cells don’t shed fast enough → buildup.

4. Visible plaques: thick, red, scaly patches on skin (most common form is plaque psoriasis).

Is Psoriasis contagious?

“The Heartbreak of Psoriasis.’’ Psoriasis for most patients is more emotionally than physically disabling. Psoriasis erodes the self image and forces the victim into a life of concealment and self- consciousness as there’s a lot of stigma around the disease. But actually it is not acquired by contact with an infected person. People cannot catch the condition by brushing up against someone who has psoriasis. It doesnot spread by kissing, swimming or having sex.
Thus due to the social stigma, patients may avoid activities , including sunbathing( which is the very activity that can clear the disease), for fear of being discovered . Thus it is not contagious and cannot spread from one person to another.

What are the types of psoriasis?

1. Plaque Psoriasis (Psoriasis Vulgaris)

• Most common type (about 80–90% of cases).

• Symptoms:

  • Raised, red patches covered with silvery-white scales.

  • Often itchy or painful.

  • Common on elbows, knees, scalp, lower back.

2. Guttate Psoriasis

• Often triggered by infections, especially strep throat.

• Symptoms:

  • Small, red, drop-like spots.

  • Usually appears on torso, arms, or legs.

  • More common in children and young adults.

3. Inverse Psoriasis (Flexural Psoriasis)

• Found in skin folds (e.g., armpits, groin, under breasts).

• Symptoms:

  • Smooth, red, shiny patches.

  • No scales due to moisture and friction.

  • Often sore, painful, and irritated.

4. Pustular Psoriasis

• Rare and serious form.

• Symptoms:

  • White pustules (blisters of non-infectious pus) on red skin.

  • Can be localized (hands/feet) or generalized (widespread and serious).

  • May come with fever, chills, fatigue (especially in generalized form).

5. Erythrodermic Psoriasis

• Most severe and rare form; can be life-threatening.

• Symptoms:

  • Widespread, fiery red skin that peels in sheets.

  • Severe itching, burning, and pain.

  • Often accompanied by fever, dehydration, and systemic illness.

  • Requires immediate medical attention.

6. Nail Psoriasis

• Affects fingernails and toenails.

• Symptoms:

  • Pitting (tiny dents in the nail).

  • Discoloration or thickening.

  • Separation of nail from nail bed (onycholysis).

  • Often misdiagnosed as a fungal infection.

7. Scalp Psoriasis

• Affects part or all of the scalp.

• Symptoms:

  • Thick, crusted scales.

  • Itching, burning, and flaking (can resemble dandruff).

  • Can extend beyond the hairline.

What are the causes of psoriasis?

Psoriasis stems from internal disharmony of the body in terms of disturbed immunity and genetic predisposition along with environmental triggers.

1. Internal factors:
   – Defective immune system
   – Genetics
2. External factors:

• Physical trauma including skin conditions (boils ,dermatitis , lichen planus , skin parasites and vitiligo) and skin trauma ( acupuncture , shaving, adhesive taping , chemical irritation, bites , tattoos and vaccinations )
• Certain medications like hypertension medication etc.
• Food allergens
• Triggering Factors
  Many people who are predisposed may be free of any symptoms for many years until the disease is triggered by:-
  – Infections like streptococcus infection of throat
  – Climate (Cold dry weather conditions )
  – Smoking
  – Stress
  – Alcohol consumption.

What are the signs and symptoms of psoriasis?

General Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis

1. Skin Lesions (Plaques)

• Raised, red patches of skin covered with silvery-white scales.

• Most common on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back.

• May be itchy, painful, or crack and bleed.

2. Flare-Ups and Remissions

• Symptoms often come and go.

• Flares can be triggered by stress, illness, or skin injury.

3. Dry, Cracked Skin

• Skin may crack and bleed, especially during a flare.

• Some areas may feel tight or sore.

4. Itching or Burning

• Itchiness is common, especially with scalp psoriasis.

• Some people report a burning or stinging sensation.

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

Psoriasis can be diagnosed through a Physical Exam Or Lab tests
Physical exam
The physician usually takes a look at the scales and eruption on your body to diagnose psoriasis, commonly on:-

• Scalp
• Ears
• Elbows
• Nails
• Belly button
• Knees
• Family history is also determined as psoriasis is generally hereditary
  Lab tests
  Biopsy – Small Piece of skin is removed and tested to make sure it isn’t any other severe medical condition. No other test confirms Psoriasis.

How homeopathy helps in managing the symptoms of psoriasis?

1. Holistic Approach

• Homeopathy considers the whole person, not just skin symptoms.

• Treatment is tailored to individual constitution, emotional state, triggers, and symptoms.

 2. Immune Modulation

• Homeopathic remedies aim to balance the overactive immune response thought to underlie psoriasis.

 3. Stress Management

• Since stress is a major trigger for psoriasis, homeopathic remedies are used to address emotional distress, indirectly helping flare-ups.

4. Safe for Long-Term Use

• Remedies are non-toxic and can often be used alongside conventional treatments.

Homeopathic medicines are natural medicines free from any side effects. Some of the homeopathic medicines which are helpful in the case of psoriasis are:

1. Graphites Naturalis

• The skin is dry and cracked.
• It is mainly given in scalp psoriasis.
• The scalp area is sensitive to touch with itching.
• Burning sensation mainly the top of the head.
• Rough, thick, and deformed nails.

2. Arsenic Album

• It is the best-suited medicine for silver scales.
• Dry, rough, red papular eruptions.
• Itching is aggravated by cold things.
• Pain on the affected skin areas after scratching.
• Restlessness.
• It also works well in cases of guttate Psoriasis.

3. Sulphur

• This medicine helps in cases with severe itching and burning in the eruptions.
• Patient scratching the skin until it bleeds.
• Burning sensation affected area.
• Skin is rough, scaly.
• The patient having a history of excessive use of ointments in the past.

4. Petroleum

• Petroleum is a very suitable medicine for deeply cracked eruptions of psoriasis.
• Burning sensation and intolerable itching is present on the affected skin.
• Bleeding is also present in the cracks.
• The skin of the affected area is intensely sore, painful, and hard.

5. Sepia

• This medicine is given when there is the presence of big oval lesions on the skin.
• There are shiny, whitish, and adhesive scales present on the papules. Itching
• Burning sensation after scratching.
• The eruptions are mainly present in the face, chest, back, arms and legs.