Psoriasis - It works for me 09/14/09

It works for me 09/14/09

Source: NPF http://www.psoriasis.org (National Psoriasis Foundation)

Itchstuff

My brother-in-law had one of the worst cases of psoriasis I've ever seen, both legs, feet, arms, and elbows. He was miserable and it looked really bad.

He started using a herbal ointment called Itchstuff that he gets on line at Greenstuff2.com He swears by it and most of his psoriasis is gone. I think he has been using it for about 6 months, maybe a bit more, not sure.

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Buttermilk bath

I was diagnosed with psoriasis 6 years ago at the age of 32. I did seek treatment with a dermatologist, but had to stop due to the travel cost. After my fourth child was about two, I decided to start seeing another dermatologist who was closer to work. My dermatologist informed me that some psoriasis might actually be caused by yeast. I was treated for that type, and I cleared up. I had to stop treatment due to cost as my husband was no longer able to carry insurance on me due to a new job.

I recently remembered being told that taking a buttermilk bath helps with yeast. I decided to try this, as my psoriasis had returned and was extremely painful. 2 weeks ago, I began putting buttermilk in an empty shampoo bottle and using it as a body wash while in the shower. My psoriasis has cleared up well.

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Neem oil

My daughter has had psoriasis since she was four years old. I've tried everything from prescribed medications to alternative medicines. I wanted only to use homeopathic because of the side effects of the prescribed medications. I went back and forth with them all. Until my lactation consultant told me about a product called Neem. I went to a Web site called Neem Tree Farms and found a plethora of products for my daughter. Including soaps (unscented of course) and shampoos with out wax and sodium laurel sulfate. These products are all natural and some are organic. They mainly all contained Neem oil or cold pressed Neem oil. I apply Neem lotion to my daughter everyday. It has worked wonders and wards all kinds of biting bugs too. I even use it as a mosquito repellent. I use Xbalm during times that her psoriasis is flared and it helps calm her right away. I have also added fish oil to her diet.

Submitted: about one month ago by member

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Natural options

I developed full blown psoriatic arthritis when I turned 50 years old. To date, it has been the most horrible experience I ever want to go through ever. It has affected all of my joints and depleted the ligaments in both my knees � I had to have total knee replacements on both. Whenever the weather doesn�t cooperate, my hips, feet, ankles, hands, wrists, shoulders and even knees swell with inflammation causing me stiffness and pain. In addition to my psoriatic arthritis, I have psoriasis on my scalp. I tried what the doctors have suggested as far as cream, RX shampoos, etc. but these did not work for me.

I started using shampoos that are naturally based and I have found a lot of relief. At the present, I use Selsun Blue Naturals, Jason�s Aloe Vera shampoo and conditioner, and my favorite is Pantene�s new series of Pro-V called Moisture Balance shampoo and Moisture Balance conditioner. I have found that I need to switch off every two to three weeks as the effectiveness wears off and that the psoriasis cranks back up to high gear.

Psoriasis also affects my facial skin � I have found that using a gentle soap like Castile Soap or Dead Sea Mud Soap works extremely well at keeping the skin clear and calm. I also have Dead Sea Mud that I use as a mask for my face and anywhere the psoriasis is affecting me. The minerals in the mud seem to soothe my skin, muscles, and joints. You can purchases this online for a very reasonable price. These also can be purchased at better natural health food stores and some grocery stores.

I have also found a very good licensed Naturopathic doctor/pharmacist/nutritionist who is presently helping me by getting my body�s cells, organs, insides cleaned out and healthy through natural herbs and supplements. I am starting to feel much better with the natural method of healing than through conventional medicine. I found conventional medicines too harsh and abusive for my body and it affected my heart muscles and brain functioning more than I cared for. My body likes the natural way and I am sticking with the regime my new Naturopathic doctor is suggesting.

Oh, lastly but not least, I do 30 minutes of deep breathing meditation daily to ease my tension and calm my worrisome soul.

Submitted: about one month ago by Mary Jo Verbanick

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Clearing guttate psoriasis

My 10 year old son was diagnosed with guttate psoriasis several months ago. Four doctors (three of them being dermatologists) several creams, ointments, and painful/itchy months later we have found what works for me. Despite the urging of the doctors, we decided against using systemic medications. We treated naturally with results in less than two weeks. Months after getting a little relief from a 21 day course of antibiotics, his symptoms worsened and became extremely severe. After much research, I decided to treat my son for leaky gut syndrome.

Here is what we did: several Dead Sea salt baths and incorporated many dietary supplements (suggested by our acupuncturist). We are using Standard Process supplements.

Black Current seed oil - two capsules twice a day, we believe that this has been most helpful.
Mintran minerals - three tablets taken in the evening only
Livaplex -two capsules in the a.m. and then one at night
Zypan - one in the morning and one at night
Super EFF - one capsule in the morning and one at night
Zinc Liver Chelate - one in the morning
Nordic Naturals Junior Fish Oils - two in the morning -two at night.

This may sound like a lot, but; the results were almost immediate. Within two days there was a marked improvement. Less than two weeks later all the lesions are almost flat and white. Marked improvements on the scalp. No coal tar was needed.

We plan on burning my son's swim shirt this weekend,seven and a half months after his initial flare. Two weeks after starting the supplements.



Submitted: about two months ago by Carolyn (Gigi) Covington

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CPAP helped me!

I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis in 1999. It took a long time to get a diagnosis and these days, many dermatologists don�t bother with a condition they cannot cure.
My hands got infected and bled; I was in so much pain. I had to quit my job as a conference planner for an association because of the pain and stigma of people not wanting to shake my hand or work with me.

In 2003, I went to a pulmonary specialist for sleep disorders. My family was concerned that I was snoring and not breathing normally when asleep. I was always tired and even fell asleep while driving. After I started using my CPAP machine for six months, my hands cleared up. Honestly, my hands are fine and I feel so much better. I still have bouts with scalp psoriasis but I can live with that.

If this message can help one person who suffers, it would make me happy. Thanks for the support on-line and the stories from other sufferers who made the journey not so painful.

Submitted: about two months ago by S.S., Georgia

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Fish Oil Supplements

I have had psoriasis for over 30 years. It has fluctuated in seriousness. In recent years, living in northern New Mexico in a dry climate with lots of light at a high altitude, has helped to keep it under control. But there have always been stubborn places on legs, elbows, body spots that just wouldn't go away.

Two months ago I started taking 4,000 mg of fish oil daily for osteoarthritis (two in the morning and two in the evening). I just realized that the psoriasis is almost totally gone! - one dime-sized spot on body, and small (very small) patches on elbows.

Fish oil works for me! (by the way it has also helped with arthritis).

I believe it is important to buy the purest fish oil possible. A natural food store is a good place to find quality fish oil.


Submitted: about two months ago by Lorraine C.

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Onion Seed Oil

I used to have psoriasis on my scalp and legs. I began using a mixture of onion seed oil, also known as blackseed oil, and lime juice on my plaques. I apply it 2 times a day and have seen great changes in my plaques. In particular on my scalp. I apply the mixture to my scalp and then wait 20 to 30 minutes before washing it out. The best onion seed oil that I have found has been from Pakistan.

Submitted: about two months ago by Elizabeth