How To Treat Psoriasis

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a very common skin disorder.  It will appear on the body in the form of a red rash or plaques covered with overlapping scales of skin.  It can appear on the scalp, the back of wrists, elbows, knees, butt, ankles, or sites of trauma.  Psoriasis can also cause an inflammatory form of arthritis and affect the nails.

Causes of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is caused by a pileup of skin cells that have replicated much too fast.  They replicate 1000 times faster than normal skin.  The skin cells accumulate and appear on the body as scales.  This rapid replication is the result of a basic defect in skin cells.  There is no genetic control over the skin cells dividing.  This defect is an imbalance in the cellular control compounds:  cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP.  As of right now, there is no known reason for this happening.  Some scientists claim it does have a genetic relationship though.  You are more likely to have it if you have a relative who has it.

There are some basic lifestyle and nutritional choices that can cause or contribute to psoriasis.  Some people may not know it, but they have an issue with incomplete protein digestion.  Protein is not properly absorbed in the intestines, resulting in an elevated level of amino acids and polypeptides in the bowl.  When these are metabolized by bacteria, they become toxic compounds of polyamines.  High levels of polyamines have been linked to psoriasis.  They inhibit the formation of cyclic AMP, providing an improper balance.  The best way to prevent this from happening is to improve your body’s digestive process.

Another problem that may cause or worsen psoriasis is bowel toxemia.  A diet low in fiber is linked with high levels of toxins in the gut, which can lead to a heavy increase in cyclic GMP.  Fiber components bind toxins and promote their excretion out of the body, preventing their absorption.  So a diet high in fiber is recommended for psoriasis sufferers.  This can be done with eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.  You can also try taking sarsparilla extract, which will help eliminate bacteria endotoxins in the body.

Toxins can also be present in the liver, making psoriasis worse.  It is important that people suffering from psoriasis avoid anything with alcohol in it because it impairs liver function.  When the liver becomes overrun with toxins in the bowel or its ability to detoxify is lowered, then the blood will have an increased level of toxins flowing through, causing psoriasis spots to worsen.

Psoriasis Treatment

Treatment for psoriasis varies with severity.  Several of these options you will hear from your dermatologist, but they are not the best way to deal with psoriasis.  Many prescribed psoriasis medications work, but must be used daily and not stopped in order to keep working, which will add up financially.  Steroids have been used to treat psoriasis, but they can cause cutaneous atrophy and stretch marks, leaving potentially permanent scarring.  In the 1960’s, hydroxyerea was introduced, a product used to inhibit skin cell replication.  But it decreases levels of white blood cells and platelets and could lead to birth defects.  In the 90’s a product called Methotrexate was used, which would slow skin cell growth.  The problem was that it also slowed the growth of other cells in the body and caused liver damage.  Ultraviolet rays have been proven to improve psoriasis, so a laser treatment was introduced, but it can cause scarring and premature aging.  The best way to get the UV rays is to just be out in the sun.

Several of the medications out there for psoriasis can be helpful, but they are highly toxic and have harmful side effects to the body.  Simple lifestyle changes can work the same or better without the high finances and high toxicity of medications.  Nutritional treatment for psoriasis is therefore the most beneficial for the body’s overall well- being.

The psoriasis diet should be rich in fatty acids, or Vitamin F, and also fiber.  You should limit and/or eliminate your consumption of sugar, meat (especially pork), animal fats, and alcohol.  Glucose should be eliminated.  Also, Vitamin A and Zinc are essential for healthy skin and should be implemented into the diet as much as possible.

Being in the sun is very good medicine for psoriasis sufferers.  So is exercise.  Exercising in the sun is very beneficial because of the sweating that will happen.  It is an excellent way to rid the body of excess toxins and also reduce stress, which will cause psoriasis flare-ups.

Psoriasis Home Remedies

The best thing a person can do to help keep their psoriasis under control is what was just said above:  Be in the sun’s healing rays.  Sweat.  Try to reduce your stress level so flare-ups are fewer.  If being in the sun does not appeal to you, just try exercising at a gym or at home.  Or sit in a sauna.  You will sweat out the excess toxins that are in your body.

But for when those flare-ups happen, there are natural ways to help your skin that will not be as harmful as harsh medications.  If you do seek a topical treatment, find one that is based in Coal Tar.  You can also use some things you might find around the house.  It would be a great idea to have an aloe plant around the house.  Fresh aloe vera gel from the plant is very soothing and healing.  Apply to problem patches of skin any time and just leave it on to dry.  If you apply at night, wrap some gauze on top of where you applied the aloe gel.  This will help keep in the moisture and ensure absorption into the skin.  Another good product is “un-petroleum jelly”.  It works just as well as vaseline or regular petroleum jelly, if not better, and it is made from only pure plant oils and all natural waxes.  Bag Balm is a salve you can find at your local drug store.  It is used for chapped or irritated skin and many people swear by it.  Apply it at night and wrap the area with gauze.

If you have a bathtub, a bath is a perfect way to relax and reduce your stress.  First take a bath with sea salts or Epson salts.  The salts will remove the itchy flakes of skin.  Follow that with an oatmeal bath to soothe and moisturize your skin.

Dead Sea Salts products work very well for psoriasis relief.  The salts are both cleansing and detoxifying.  Bathing in dead sea salts several times a week will produce much relief and improvement for psoriasis.  It will pull toxins out of the body while cleansing the problem areas.  There are many different products containing Dead Sea Salts or you can buy just the salts in bulk and bathe in them.  It will be up to the individual to decide what works best for them.

Please try these psoriasis remedies before resorting to an over-the-counter medication.  Most medications recommended by doctors can do more harm than good.  For an example, please read my blog, “Skin Condition or Brain Condition?”

For more on healing psoriasis the natural way, please check out the book:

Healing Psoriasis – The Natural Approach by Dr. John Pagano

Acne

Acne Overview

Acne is a condition that has affected almost everybody at some point in their life, mainly in adolescence.  It can be brought on by a number of factors including, but not limited to:  diet, stress, medication, and poor colon health.  Pimples are formed when oil and dead cells get trapped in a pore and become inflamed.  This blockage occurs when there is a high production of keratin and sebum in the skin.  High testosterone levels will increase this production, so acne is most common in males during puberty.  There are two forms of acne – superficial acne and cystic acne.  Acne can occur in the form of whiteheads or blackheads or a red inflammation.  They occur predominantly on the face, but can appear on the back, chest, and shoulders.

There are many ways to combat acne.  There are over the counter medications you can purchase, but there are side effects.  Most of the medications use benzoyl peroxide.  You have to use it daily and it causes dry skin, redness, and peeling.  Another ointment is tretinoin, which is the most often used acne medication.  It acts to improve acne by chemically burning the skin.  There are other options.  Antibiotics are also an option, but excessive use could lead to candidiasis.  Nutrition can be both a preventative technique as well as a therapeutic technique in combating acne.  The best way to treat acne is the natural way through diet and acne home remedies.

Dietary Suggestions

There are a few ways you may want to change your diet that will help diminish your acne.  You should really limit food with a high fat content.  Instead, find food that has a high protein content.  A high protein diet will help by lowering testosterone conversion.

As for salt and sugar – some people have a sensitivity to iodine.  So iodized salt should be avoided, as it will aggravate acne.  Try sea salt instead!  Anything with concentrated or refined sugars should be limited in the diet.  There are many healthy sugar substitutes that will not cause a flare up of acne.  Try Stevia or Xylitol, or just unrefined sugars.

Some foods should be avoided all together.  Milk, milk products, margarine and shortening all contain trans-fatty acids, which are very bad for the skin.  Milk drinking should be limited also because of its high hormone content.  They should be avoided as much as possible.  Try soaking some almonds overnight and then blending them up for some fresh almond milk.  You can also add some vanilla or cinnamon to add in some flavor.  Also, any fried oils should be avoided.

There are also certain vitamins and minerals that can be implemented into the diet that will aide in getting rid of acne.  They include Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Zinc.

Vitamin A is needed for the health of our outer skin and our body’s inner lining.  It reduces sebum production and keratin build up, so acne will be less frequent.  You can take Vitamin A in supplement form, although it is not recommended for women pregnant or nursing.  In changing your diet, you can add some foods that are rich in Vitamin A.  Such foods include sweet potatos, carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe, broccoli, apricots, winter squash, peaches, asparagus, kale, spinach, and tomato juice.

Vitamin E helps with the function and protection of Vitamin A in the body.  It interacts with selenium, which is an important antioxidant trace mineral who’s enzyme function prevents acne inflammation.  Food sources for Vitamin E include dry soy beans, dry lima beans, what germ oil, soybean oil, corn oil, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pecans, and fresh raw spinach.  Vitamin E is also available in supplement form.

Zinc is an essential nutrient for maintaining healthy skin.  It helps Vitamin A function properly.  Zinc properly metabolizes testosterone, so there is no build up.  Maintaining optimal zinc levels is the best way to treat acne.  It also promotes wound healing, immune system activities, inflammation control, and tissue regeneration.  Seafood is an excellent source for zinc.  You can also get zinc from lambchops, pork, whole wheat grains, root vegetables, and nuts.

A supplement of Vitamin B6 is recommended for women who experience PMS.  It will help with controlling acne caused by PMS disorder.  Also, Pantothenic acid, Vitamin B5, helps fat metabolize.  High doses can help dimish acne with no side effects.

Home Remedies: Acne

There are many home remedies for acne you can try.  If you just want to stay away from harsh medications, just look for a topical treatment that is based in tea tree oil.  Tea tree oil has good skin penetration, but will not irritate the skin at all.  It contains antiseptic and antifungal properties, making it the ideal topical treatment for acne.  Another topical treatment you can try, which you can find at your local health foods store, is Bentonite Clay.  It is a mask treatment that will work wonders.  I have Bentonite Detox, which is the clay in a form meant for ingestion, but I have dabbed it on pimples before and they diminish quite quickly!

Avocados make a great home remedy for acne.  They contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin B complex.  Avocados also have strong antibacterial and antifungal properties.  Make a paste of avocado pulp and apply it to your skin.  It will soothe and moisturize!

There are some different concoctions you can put together to make an acne remedy.  Most of these things you will find around your kitchen!  You can make a simple paste of salt and vinegar.  Rub it on your acne and wash it off after twenty to thirty minutes.  It may sting, but rubbing fresh garlic on your pimples will help take care of them.

Cinnamon powder is good for making an acne natural remedy.  Mix some cinnamon powder with some honey.  Apply to your pimples right before bed. In the morning, wash your face with warm water.  You can also make a mixture of 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and apply to acne.

To sum everything up, acne is a problem that effects many people.  But we need to take care of our skin and body as well as our acne problem.  Antibiotics and harsh over the counter medications dont have to be the answer.  We can take care of our bodies from the inside with a slight change in diet.  And try homemade acne remedies that will not harm our skin.  If you have your own homemade remedy for acne, please share with us!

Headaches/Migraines

What causes Migraines/Headaches?

Migraines are a neurological condition that lasts anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. It consists of a unilateral, pulsating pain ranging from your shoulders and neck, to the top of your head. Some side effects you may experience include visual disturbance, nausea, and vomiting. Headaches are more common and the pain is more centralized in a specific area of the head. Headaches are not a condition themselves, but rather a symptom of an underlying health condition.

Causes of Migraines and Headaches

There are five main causes of a migraine or headache. They include toxins, allergies, deficiencies, misalignments or imbalances, and stress. Environmental allergens that could cause a headache or migraine include: chemicals from a carpet, perfumes, dust or mold, pet dander, cleaning products, smoke, and freon gas emitted from an air conditioner. Think about your surroundings when you have gotten a headache. If you can figure out what could be giving you a headache, it may be easily avoidable in the future.

Misalignment of some vertebrae in your neck will put some pressure on nerves and cause a headache. Also, a misalignment of your teeth will cause tension in your jaw, causing TMJ, and a headache may be a symptom from that. Imbalances can be hormonal, stemming from a number of glands, including the thyroid, parathyroid, pituitary, thymus, thymus gonadals, pineal, pancreas, or adrenals.

Deficiencies can be caused by poor absorption by the body, poor digestion, and lack of nutrients such as Vitamins B6, B3, and E and minerals zinc, iron, potassium, sodium, calcium, and cholesterol. A side effect to these deficiencies could be a headache.

Toxins come on the forms of dietary toxins, environmental toxins, and auto-intoxication. Auto-intoxication is when your eliminating systems are not functioning properly and a build up is caused. This build up becomes poisonous to your body. There are many additives you will find in food that could prove to be toxic to your body. Some people’s systems build up a low tolerance and are not as affected by these toxins, but it still has an effect on the body. Other people, with more sensitive systems, will be highly effected if consuming these toxic food additives. They include aspartame, which is often labeled Nutra-Sweet and is found most commonly in diet sodas, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), aluminum, nitrates, hormones injected into some meat products, food preservatives, and food colorings. If your diet contains a high dosage of any of these and you experience chronic headaches, stop consuming them and see how it affects your body. These are toxic to everybody and should not be consumed, especially in high dosages.

Stress is a common cause of a headache. Stress can cause blood vessels to be restricted, pressure on your nerves, and poor circulation in the body, all of which can cause a lack of oxygen to the brain. Symptoms of this would include mental fatigue, dizziness, and poor memory. Stress can also cause an increase in acid production which will aggravate low levels of sodium and calcium in the body, possibly causing a deficiency in those levels.

Chronic headaches may also be caused by cysts, aneurysms, or a tumor. It is important to see a doctor if you have chronic headaches, to eliminate these as a cause.

Medical Options for Migraines or Headaches

Some people find relief from headaches through acupuncture. The most common way to relieve a headache medicinally is through pain-relievers such as aspirin or acetaminophen. These are proven to be effective, but can have negative side effects. Aspirin can irritate the stomach and in excessive or long term dosage, it can cause damage to the liver and kidney. It also increases blood flow, which can irritate an ulcer. Acetaminophen can cause severe liver damage when taken in high dosages. If a person consumes a lot of alcohol on a regular basis, it can cause liver damage even when taken in low doses. It is highly recommended that children and teenager do not take either one of these pain-relievers. They have been linked to Reye’s Syndrome, a neurological disease that can lead to a coma and even death.

Natural Alternatives for Headaches and Migraines

If your head is pounding or aching as a result of drinking too much alcohol the night before, here are a few home remedies to help ease the pain. Drink some peppermint tea and add some organic honey. It will help ease your headache and begin the re-hydration process. You can also simply soak a towel in ice-cold water and wrap it around your forehead. Try peeling a whole head of garlic in a pan with one and half cups of red wine. Bring it to a boil, then let simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and drink the liquid slowly.

Oddly enough, eating a crust of stale brown bread with butter and marmalade can be very effective in curing headaches! If you have cabbage in the house, try putting a warm cabbage leaf compress on your head. A poultice of cucumber or raw potatoes places on the brow can relieve a headache caused by too much sun. If your headache is caused by hypertension, eat lots of garlic, that will help lower blood pressure.

Sinus headaches respond best to steam inhalations. Try the essential oils of pine, eucalyptus, rosemary, or thyme, either on their own or in combination. Apply a hot compress of plain water to the forehead. You can also infuse the water with lavender or peppermint oils. My favorite combination is lavender, rosemary and peppermint. Lie down and breathe in the aroma, making sure to keep the compress hot.

Feverfew is the main herb proven to have an effect on migraines. Summer the fresh leaf in olive oil and use it to massage the temples. Also try making a tea from the herb. If you cannot get feverfew, try two parts peppermint leaves and one part rosemary leaves and let them steep in hot water for about ten minutes. Also known to help migraines is eating a bowl of canned tomatoes simmered in basil and served with a dash of vinegar.

To prevent migraines, a daily drink made from fresh ginger root has been shown to be almost as effective as powerful prescription drugs. During early warning signs of an oncoming migraine, add ginger oil and almond oil together and massage onto your temples. Or try soaking your feet in a foot bath that has either fresh ginger or peppermint added, or their essential oil. The bath will draw the blood away from the head to the heat and provide some relief.

These are some home remedies to uncommon headaches or migraines. If you have chronic migraines or headaches, it is recommended you see a doctor.

Pink Eye Home Remedies

What is Pink Eye

Pink Eye is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines the eye. Small blood vessels in your eye become more prominent, causing your eyes to look very red and irritated. You experience redness and itching in one or both of your eyes, as well as have a discharge from your eye. This pussy discharge has the ability to “paste” your eye shut after a night’s rest. Your eye lids may become swollen as well.

How do you get Pink Eye

You can get conjunctivitis from getting a chemical splash or a foreign object in your eye. When you immediately flush it with water or a cleaner, your eyes become red and irritated and discharge a mucus like substance.

You may also get conjunctivitis from a virus or bacteria. Both these types are highly contagious and are sometimes associated with the common cold. Viral conjunctivitis can affect anybody and usually produces a watery or mucous discharge from one or both eyes. Bacterial conjunctivitis most commonly occurs in children, but can affect anybody. It produces a thicker, yellowish green discharge from one or both eyes and is sometimes associated with a respiratory infection or sore throat.

Another cause is from allergies, such as pollen. This causes extreme itching, watering of the eyes, and a watery discharge. You may also experience some swelling of the eyelids.

Medical Solutions for Pink Eye

Viral conjunctivitis will not respond to any medicine, so your doctor will tell you to just let the virus run its course. But if it bacterial conjunctivitis, you may be prescribed antibiotics in the form of eye drops. Also, an eye ointment is sometimes used in small children, because it is easier to administer that way. You will be told to use the medicine for a number of days and it must be followed exactly to prevent a recurrence of the infection. Allergic conjunctivitis can be treated with eye drops of different types that include antihistamines, decongestants, mast cell stabilizers, steroids, or anti-inflammatory drops.

If you wear contact lenses, it is best to throw away your current pair, as well as the container they are being kept in. Also, it is suggested to not use your lenses again until your eyes have completely healed. Because it is highly contagious, any bacteria causing the infection could be contained in your lenses, and cause a recurrence.

Pink Eye Home Remedies

Colloidal Silver is a very effective treatment for pink eye and can be found at your local health food store in the form of eye drops .

Another common home remedy is to make some green tea, drain the bag, and then place the tea bag on the infected eye. Chamomile tea can also be used in the same way. Along with this, you can also try to make a mixture of the tea you squeezed out, with a little bit of salt and honey. Allow the salt and honey to dissolve, then add a few drops to the infected eye before you place the tea bag over it. Honey is a great antibiotic and the salt is an astringent. You can use the leftover solution over the course of the next few days, using it about four to five times a day.

If you have some Neosporin around the house, trying applying some to just your eyelashes with a Q-tip before you go to bed at night.

Here’s an odd one for you: Breast Milk. Breast milk is full of antibodies and amino acids that work wonders for an infection. Just squirt a few drops into the infected eye every few hours and it will clear up! Several people swear by this!

Another popular remedy is a water and vinegar pink eye eyewash. One you can do is to make a mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar and distilled water. Use a very small amount of the Vinegar, about 1/10 of the solution, and rinse your eye about three times a day for a few days.  Another wash includes filling a sink with warm water, add some salt and some vinegar, and submerge your face in the sink for as long as you can, blinking your eyes several times in the water.