Psoriasis

🧕🏽 Patient:  I have dry, red, scaly patches on my skin. It itches. People stare. Is it some allergy? Will it ever go away?

👩‍⚕️ Dr. Subha:

"You’re not alone. What you're describing sounds like Psoriasis – and I’m here to help you understand it completely, not just treat the surface." 💛

🌿 What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is not an allergy. It’s an immune condition. Your immune system works too hard and creates skin cells too fast.

🧠 Normally, your skin cells renew every 28–30 days.

But in Psoriasis, they renew every 3–7 days!

Result? Extra layers of skin pile up → red, thick, itchy, scaly patches.

🔍 Is it Contagious?

❌ No. Psoriasis is not contagious.

You can’t “catch” it. You don’t get it from touching someone.

But yes – it can be lifelong and comes in flares.

🌿 Let's Look Deeper – Why Does It Happen?

👩‍⚕️ “Shall we explore both the Modern and Ayurvedic views? That way, we understand your body better.”

🧬 Modern Science Says...

Autoimmune disease – your immune system attacks healthy skin.

Genes + Triggers = Psoriasis

Family history?

Stress?

Infections (like strep throat)?

Injury to the skin?

Cold weather?

Certain medicines?

Yes, all these can trigger or worsen it.

🪔 Ayurveda Says...

In Ayurveda, Psoriasis is like Kitibha Kushta – a type of skin disorder due to:

Imbalance in Vata, Kapha, and Rakta dhatu

Weak digestion (Agni)

Improper food combinations (like curd + fish, or milk + salt)

Mental stress

Not cleansing the body naturally (no detox, skipping bowel movements)

🧑‍⚕️ “Your skin is the mirror of your Rakta (blood), Pitta (fire), and Manas (mind). When these are disturbed, skin shows it.”

🔍 Types of Psoriasis (Let’s Make It Simple)

1. Plaque Psoriasis: Thick, red patches with silvery scales (most common)

2. Guttate Psoriasis: Small drop-like red spots after infections

3. Inverse Psoriasis: Red shiny patches in body folds (like groin/armpit)

4. Pustular Psoriasis: Blisters filled with pus – painful

5. Erythrodermic Psoriasis: Full-body redness and peeling (emergency)

🧴 Symptoms You Might Notice

Itchy, burning, painful patches

White or silver scales

Dry, cracked skin that may bleed

Nail changes (pits, thick nails)

Joint pain (Psoriatic arthritis)

😔 Many patients say: "Doctor, my skin is hurting… but so is my confidence."

💊 Modern Treatment Options

Modern medicine is helpful to control symptoms. Ayurveda helps cleanse and balance the whantibbleeding

Topical:

Steroid creams

Vitamin D creams

Coal tar shampoo for scalp psoriasis

Internal:

Methotrexate, Cyclosporine (immunity controllers)

Biologics (for severe cases)

Light Therapy:

UVB / PUVA therapy (done under medical guidance)

🌿 Ayurvedic Management (From the Root Level)

🪔 Ayurveda doesn’t just treat skin — it balances your doshas, purifies the blood, and strengthens digestion & mind.

🧘 Panchakarma Therapies (after preparing the body):

1. Virechana – Purgation for liver and Rakta shuddhi

2. Takra Dhara – Buttermilk stream on forehead for mental calm & inflammation

3. Raktamokshana – Bloodletting in selected, chronic cases

4. Abhyanga + Swedana – Oil massage & sweat therapy to balance Vata & Kapha

🌿 Herbal & Internal Medicines (under guidance)

Gandhaka Rasayana – Rasayana + antimicrobial

Arogya Vardhini – Skin & liver support

Khadirarishta – Blood purification

Mahamanjistadi Kwatham – Anti-inflammatory

🧴 External Applications

Nalpamaradi Tailam – Brightens and calms inflammation

Jatyadi Tailam – Healing open cracks and bleeding 

Brihat dhantaphala Tailam

Neem & Turmeric Paste – Natural antibacterial

🥗 What to Eat & What to Avoid? (Interactive List)

✅ Eat These

🍀 Type 🍽️ Examples

Vegetables Bitter gourd, snake gourd, ash gourd, drumstick

Grains Red rice, little millet, barnyard millet

Fruits Pomegranate, apple, papaya (in moderation)

Fats Ghee (with turmeric), sesame oil

Spices Turmeric, coriander, cumin

Drinks Warm water, herbal teas (coriander or cumin)

🧂 Use rock salt or sendha namak instead of table salt.

❌ Avoid These

🚫 Food Type 🍽️ What to Skip

Fermented Idli, dosa, vinegar-based pickles (excess)

Sour dairy Curd (especially at night)

Meat combos Fish + milk, paneer + meat

Junk food Chips, spicy masala items, fast food

Cold items Ice creams, fridge water, cold drinks

Stress snacks Tea/coffee in excess, late-night snacking

🧠 Mind & Skin Connection – Don't Ignore It

🧘‍♀️ Psoriasis worsens with stress. Even if your skin improves, stress can bring it back.

🎯 Tips:

Daily 15 minutes of deep breathing / meditation

Journaling to release thoughts

Oil bath once a week

Sleep by 10 PM

Practice nasya and shiro abhyanga

“Psoriasis is a journey of inside-out healing. Your body is not punishing you. It is asking for care, balance, and attention.”

With Ayurveda’s deep understanding and modern science’s precision, we can calm the skin, clean the blood, and restore peace in your body and mind.