The  mere word psoriasis is enough to make you wrinkle up your face with disgust.

What does it mean?: It means; to itch.

What are the causes?It is multifactorial.There is positive family history and if both parents are affected, the child has greater chance of   developing it.

What are the symptoms? You need to seriously consider treatment if you have the following symptoms:

Where psoriasis is causing severe social or psychological problems such as sleeplessness, social exclusion and  reduced quality of life or self esteem.
 
An extensive rash making self management impractical.

Rash in a sensitive area such as face, hands, feet etc and with troublesome symptoms.

Rash leading to significant time off work or school.

Patients having associated arthropathy( a symptom along with psoriasis in some cases where there is muscular and bone involvement)..
 

What are the Exarcebating factors:

Drugs:nonsteroidal antiinflammatories, especially indomethacin, betablockers, lithium, ACE inhibitors, antimalarials and alcohol.

Stress
Some Throat infections
Smoking
Sunlight

Chronic psoriasis can develop at sites of skin trauma such as scars. Nail changes are seen in upto 50% of cases.

Scalp involvement maybe the sole manifestation of psoriasis, presenting as increased dandruff.If there is hairloss due to psoriasis it recovers after treatment.

It is important to explore how the disease affects the patient physically,psychologically, socially and economically, so that the treatment can be tailored to the individual.

It is important  to explain what psoriasis is, and assure the patient that although it is not yet curable, it is controllable.

Homeopathic treatments:The disease can be controlled and there is a good chance of cure rate, and high remission periods. It addresses the root cause of the disease, according to mind body axis. Medications are all oral, hence easy to take.There are absolutely no chances of side effects, except in some cases a temporary increase in the feeling of itching, which disappears by itself within a few hours to few days.