psoriasis

[moderngal]

Anyone know of a natural remedy for psoriasis? None of the prescriptions I've taken in the past are safe for nursing. I don't have a big outbreak, but enough that it bothers me. Still, I'll live with it rather than give up nursing.
Any ideas? I'm almost desperate!!

[artemis33]

I don't know *specifically* for psoriasis, but for any skin irritations - make sure to get plenty of essential fatty acids/ Omega3's in your diet (you could take flax oil, cod liver oil, fish oil, eat wild salmon or sardines, etc).

Stay very well hydrated.

Also stop using any harsh detergents or soaps. I read that goat's milk soap has a very close pH to human skin and is best. Definitely avoid SLS. Use jojoba oil (or another oil - like coconut oil - that is not petroleum based) on WET skin right out of the shower as a moisturizer. You want to seal in the moisture.

I usually get a bout of really dry skin when fall arrives and this system gets it back in shape.

Does psoriasis have a fungal element? I've forgotten - but if so make sure to treat that. I have a salve I use from a local herb store for fungal patches on the skin - you can check it out here to see the ingredients and find something similar if that is needed. It works great! I warm it in my hand before I apply it and sometimes also add a couple drops of tea tree oil. (I have no affiliation with that store BTW - they just happen to be near me and I love their products and shop there regularly )

Good luck - I hope some of this is helpful

[Spastica]

I vaguely remember reading about oatmeal and/or baking soda baths and using coconut oil for psoriasis. You may want to look up those terms along with psoriasis and see what others say.

[whitedoyle]

Taking notes

DD i6 has on her scalp. She refuses to use a dandruff type of shampoo though I have heard it can help. Ideas anyone?

[melissa17s]

Have you checked here http://www.psoriasis.org/treatment/?

[sedalbj]

subbing.

DH has it on his elbows mostly. I haven't tackled it yet (concentrating on natural dandruff remedies first, he can only handle one change at a time...)

[moderngal]

Thanks for all the info!! I think I'll try a couple of these things!!
Does anyone know if it would be ok to use fish oil supplements if I am allergic to seafood? My guess is no, just wondering though... fish oil seems to be commonly mentioned in all the things I have seen.

[amcal]

Salt bars (a type of soap) and emu oil salves are both great for psorisis and eczema.

[paganmum]

If you are allergic to seafood you should try flax seed oil. It comes in a gelcap form. I'm not taking anything at the moment but I'musually taking eithe fish oil or flaxseed. I've even gone so far at times as to add flax seeds and/or flax seed meal/flour to breads. flax seed flour/meal give bread a beautiful light brown/tan color and a nice mild nutty flavor.

Also for me I've found that my outbreaks are triggered by stress. I haven't found a med that works for me either. But dietary additions and occational temporary modifications seem to help alot. Right now I'm also trying the no-poo thing with my scalp since I am tired of either flaking like I have horrible dandruff (when I use shampoos with colors/perfumes/etc) or having Dh complain that he had to hold my arms down while I slept so that I wouldn't contantly scratch at my scalp in my sleep thus keeping him awake. I'm three days into it and my scalp has stopped itching (apple cider vibgar is *highly* recomended for adding to your bath if you are having a hard time with an outbreak it will help dry up oozie patches and stop the itching) and since I'm using the baking soda and diluted ACV on my face too I don't look like my face is either trying to fall off or explode. I'm thinking about expanding this little experiment and seeing if it will work on my eczema patches as well.

Long story short on the above ramble is that one thing I've heard is that keeping the ph levels balanced in areas of your skin that are effected should help a bunch in keeping things under control. the apple cider vinegar is good for that and I *think* baking soda is good for that use too.

I've heard good things about regular meditation and/or exercise if your trigger is stress.

If I can think of anything else I'll pass it on. I hope you get to feeling better.

[ericaz]

I can relate to the skin probs.
Have you considered dietary changes? Dairy and/or wheat can cause skin reactions such as eczema/psoriasis to flare.

Definitely increase your oil intake. If you can't take fish oil try flax and/or evening primrose. Both are safe when nursing.

Or you could try Uropathy.

[moderngal]

Also for me I've found that my outbreaks are triggered by stress. I haven't found a med that works for me either. But dietary additions and occational temporary modifications seem to help alot.

My outbreaks are almost always triggered by stress!! I could definitely manage my stress better, too. I do exercise, but not as often as I should and I am incredibly lazy when it comes doing something for myself.
I bought some flax seed supplements so I will give those a shot.

erica~ I don't really think this is diet related. I haven't changed my diet at all really except for trying to eat healthier.
I'll try the flax oil and pick up some evening primrose this weekend.

[naturalmaman]

DH has terrible psoriasis on his scalp and NOTHING prescribed ever worked---in fact it always made it worse. Ditto for dandruff type shampoos. The ONLY thing that soothes it so it is at least not crusty and bleeding is coconut oil or the moisturizing lotions made by www.tropicaltraditions.com . We don't understand psoriasis----it seems to be just impossible to get rid of and equally impossible to control, especially when under stress............too bad we can't afford to live on a relaxed tropical island for few years.......

[3boysmom]

naturalmaman~ does your dh ingest the coconut oil or rub it directly onto his psoriasis?

[naturalmaman]

He rubs it into his psoriasis. We also use it to cook with, but he only notices a difference if he rubs it in.

[firstwomantomars]

Originally Posted by naturalmaman

DH has terrible psoriasis on his scalp and NOTHING prescribed ever worked---in fact it always made it worse. Ditto for dandruff type shampoos. The ONLY thing that soothes it so it is at least not crusty and bleeding is coconut oil or the moisturizing lotions made by www.tropicaltraditions.com . We don't understand psoriasis----it seems to be just impossible to get rid of and equally impossible to control, especially when under stress............too bad we can't afford to live on a relaxed tropical island for few years.......

I grew up on a "relaxed tropical island" and that's where my psoriasis started!!!
I've never totally gotten rid of it, and stress is truly a factor for me - wish living there had worked

[pilllowhead]

Chickweed ointment. I find this is a help if not a cure.

[naturalmaman]

Originally Posted by firstwomantomars

I grew up on a "relaxed tropical island" and that's where my psoriasis started!!!
I've never totally gotten rid of it, and stress is truly a factor for me - wish living there had worked

But were you "relaxing" on that relaxed tropical isle........

[EENS]

My four year old has it on he EYE and a bit on her stomach. I've upped her CLO daily dose and I see a slight bit of an improvement, not one really worth writing home about, though. I am going to try the emu oil.