Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin. Globally, more than 125 million people suffer from it. It is more common in adults than in children.

Ayurveda refers to psoriasis as 'Kitibha Kushta'. There are effective treatments in Ayurveda for psoriasis. A typical treatment lasts between 21 and 28 days. For best results, you may need to repeat the treatment for three years.

Causes of psoriasis

As of now, we do not know enough about the cause of this disease. According to studies, however, this is a problem resulting from a malfunction of the immune system caused by T cells. As white blood cells, T cells play a crucial role in defending the body against harmful bacteria and viruses. However, if you have psoriasis, these T-cells attack the healthy tissues of your skin, resulting in damage to them. It occurs because they mistake healthy tissues for harmful external elements. 

Skin cells in our bodies are constantly replaced with new ones in order to maintain healthy skin. The process usually takes place every four weeks. In people with psoriasis, on the other hand, skin cells may change every two to five days. While we know that T-cells are the problem, what causes them to multiply so rapidly has yet to be discovered.

These skin cells move to the outermost surface of the skin. Here, they pile up and leave thick and scaly patches on the skin. It also causes the skin to be red and inflamed. These patches can appear anywhere. However, the most common areas are the scalp, knees, elbows, and around the lower back area. Sometimes, these patches heal and appear again after some time.

Factors that increase the risk of psoriasis

A number of risk factors exist, including 

• Family History: Approximately 30% of people with psoriasis have a close relative with the disease. A child who has a parent with psoriasis has a 10% chance of having it as well. Having both parents with psoriasis increases the risk by 50%.
• Injuries: Trauma to the skin via accidents, cuts, bug bites, sunburns, and even vaccines can be a cause. 
• Infections: People with HIV, strep throat, and other infections are at a higher risk of developing this disease. 
• Smoking and drinking: Both of these habits increase the chance of and even worsen the severity of the condition.
• Stress: When stress levels are high, the immune system is negatively affected, so the risk is higher.
• Obesity: People with too much body fat are more likely to develop psoriasis. There is a tendency for patches to appear in the folds and creases of the skin.
• Medications: Some medicines, such as lithium and antimalarial drugs, can also trigger the condition.

Signs and symptoms of psoriasis

Psoriasis symptoms can vary from person to person. They may even go away completely in many cases. Some of the common signs are

• Rashes or red patches on the skin
• Silver color scales on the skin patches
• Dry skin that may crack and bleed
• Itching and burning sensations in the skin
• Color changes in fingernails and toenails
• Crumbling nails, pitted nails
• Joints become painful, swollen and stiff

Ayurveda and psoriasis

As per Ayurveda, each and every one of us has three forces of energy inside us called doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). If these doshas are out of balance, they can lead to diseases. When Vata and Kapha are out of balance, psoriasis can develop. 

According to the Ayurvedic system of medicine, the following are the reasons for psoriasis.

• An unbalanced diet involves combining foods that are incompatible. Fish and milk together in one meal are an example of this.
• Consuming large quantities of food at irregular intervals.
• Eating raw or uncooked food.
• Having a diet high in seafood and dairy products 
• Engaging in exercise or sexual activity immediately after eating.
• Drinking cold water soon after coming indoors during summer. 

The activities mentioned above produce harmful toxins. When these toxins accumulate in the body, patches will form. The skin becomes dry when Vata is out of balance. Uncontrolled Kapha can cause skin rashes and scales.

Ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis

The treatment begins with a complete cleansing of the body through Panchakarma procedures. A few of the most common procedures are Vamana (induced vomiting), Virechana (induced purging), and Rakthamoksham (bloodletting). The next step is to balance the doshas and strengthen the immune system with herbal medicine.

The Snehapana and Takradhara procedures are highly effective for improving metabolism and strengthening immunity. The practice of snehapana involves drinking medicated ghee for seven days. The act of Takradhara involves pouring medicated buttermilk over the forehead.

A critical part of the overall Ayurvedic treatment plan for Psoriasis is modifying your lifestyle and eating habits. Participation by the patient is crucial to the success of the treatment. It is important to follow the instructions given by the doctor.

Types of psoriasis

There are several types of psoriasis. The main ones are

1. Plaque psoriasis: It accounts for about 80% of all cases of psoriasis. The skin is affected by thick scales of red, inflamed patches. They can occur anywhere in the body, even in the soft tissues inside the mouth.
2. Guttate psoriasis: It occurs mostly in children and young adults. In this condition, small pink spots appear on the skin. The most common sites are the trunk, arms, legs, and scalp. 
3. Pustular psoriasis: This is a rare form of psoriasis. Skin will become red and tender, and soon pus-filled blisters will be seen. It generally develops very quickly.
4. Inverse psoriasis: This condition will have bright red, inflamed areas on the skin. These occur mainly in the armpits, groin, under the breast, and around the genitals. 
5. Erythrodermic psoriasis: It is the least common form of psoriasis. Large sections or even the entire body will have red rashes. It may look like a sunburn, but it is a serious condition. People need immediate medical attention for this condition.

Complications due to psoriasis

If you have psoriasis, it increases the risk of you developing other diseases such as

• Developing psoriatic arthritis which causes severe damage to the joints in the body
• The chances of developing Type 2 diabetes increase
• It can lead to eye problems like uveitis 
• Psoriasis patients are twice as likely to have a stroke or heart problems

Other treatment methods for psoriasis

There is no cure for psoriasis in modern medicine. There are three main types of treatment. All of these aim at managing the symptoms

1. Topical treatments: Applying ointments and creams to the skin can help reduce swelling and itching. The two most common effective ointments are corticosteroids and anthralin. They all have some side effects like skin thinning, irritation, etc. Long-term use of these creams can even lead to skin cancer. 

2. Light Therapy: This method uses both natural sunlight and artificial ultraviolet light. It exposes the skin to light for some time. The light kills the white blood cells that cause the patches. However, continuous exposure to light can harm the body.

3. Systemic medications: The doctor may give oral medicines if the stage is severe or if the body is not responding to other treatments. These medicines target the immune system and thus control the spread of psoriasis. However, these can also lead to infections and other problems as the immune system weakens. Some of the common medicines are retinoids, cyclosporine, and methotrexate.