Treating Psoriasis with Chinese Medicine

Psoriasis on the Elbow

Psoriasis is a serious chronic inflammatory skin disease which manifests as dry, thick and silver-scaled plaques that come off like dandruff. It affects the whole body often starting from the scalp to the trunk and limbs. A third of people with psoriasis will also develop psoriatic arthritis causing painful, stiff and swollen joints. It can last for years or even a lifetime without appropriate treatment.

Because this condition involves inflammation and hyper-proliferation (rapid overgrowth) of the epidermis, conventional treatments are immuno-suppressants, anti-inflammatories and steroid creams. They alleviate symptoms temporarily and may have serious side effects in long term use such as skin damage, high blood pressure, kidney problems and cancer. UV phototherapy is another option but also carries a risk of cutaneous malignancy, according to Sabine Schmitz in her book on treating psoriasis with Chinese herbal medicine. The doctor will need to carefully monitor the patient and weigh the costs and benefits of the drug.

Who Gets Psoriasis

Psoriasis affects all ages and both male and female. However, the prevalent group of people affected is youth and young adults. One study that involves 1616 patients has the worst ages between 11-30 affecting 67.75% of the group.

Psoriasis vs Eczema

Psoriasis and eczema can look alike in the early stage. They both cause red and itchy skin. However, the causes are different and so are the treatments. Therefore differentiating the two conditions is important.

Psoriasis

* caused by an abnormal immune response causing skin to proliferate (grow) rapidly.

* absence of vesiscles

* mild itching

* clear cut edges

* copious silvery white scaling

* first onset is later in life

* trigger factors are spicy food, stress, alcohol, cigarette smoking

* common location is the head, trunk and outer sides of limbs

* the most common Chinese medicine pattern is Heat and Blood Stagnation

Eczema

* caused by hypersensitive immune response to certain foods, allergens or bacteria and usually runs in family.

* presence of vesiscles

* intense itching

* unclear edges

* small amount of normal scaling

* first onset is often infancy

* trigger factors are spicy food, seafood, dust mites, pet fur, stress, dairy and sugar

* common location is inner sides of elbows and knees

* the most common Chinese medicine pattern is Dampness

TCM Treatments for Psoriasis

Oral herbs, topical herbs, treatment length, success rate

Chinese medicine treatment of psoriasis involves oral herbal decoction, oral granules and topical herbal cream. Chinese pattern identification of psoriasis most often includes Heat, Dryness, Liver Qi stagnation and Blood stagnation. Herbs are chosen according to these patterns. Some of the most common herbal ingredients are Sheng Di Huang, Chi Shao, Dan Shen, Tao Ren, Hong Hua, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Bai Xian Pi, Bi Ji Li, Tu Fu Ling, Bai Hua She She Cao and Zi Cao. These ingredients have anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferation and blood invigorating properties. Herbal decoction is the strongest form in terms of effectiveness. Improvement can be seen within a few weeks. Oral granules are the next strongest. It may take a few months to be effective. In the long run Chinese medicine can reduce the amount of conventional drugs and their side effects and produce lasting results.

Diet & Lifestyle Advice for Psoriasis

Although psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, diet and lifestyle seem to play a role in the ebb and flow of this condition.

Aggravating factors are:

• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Oily food
• Spicy food such as chilli, curry and pepper
• Shell fish such as prawns, crabs, lobsters
• Constipation
• Stress
• Upper respiratory infection such as tonsillitis, streptococcal throat infection

Relieving factors include

• Fresh vegetables and fruit
• Regular exercise
• Sunlight
• Relaxation

Psoriasis is a stubborn and distressing autoimmune disorder. Conventional medicine offers symptomatic solutions with a wide range of side effects. Together with a healthy diet and lifestyle, psoriasis can be managed well with Chinese medicine.