Plaque Psoriasis

What is Plaque Psoriasis?

It is the most common type of psoriasis affecting around 80% to 90% of psoriasis patients. Although, its response rate can vary from one person to another. In general, it can be described as an auto-immune condition that mainly causes dry, itchy, and raised patches, or called plaques. 


Major affected areas of the body: 

Not confined to one or two particular body parts, the patches, or plaques can affect any part of the body. However, the most common areas where such plaques are usually seen among patients are: 


  • Elbows
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  • Knees
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  • Lower back
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  • Scalp
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  • Trunk
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  • Limbs
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  • Feet soles
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  • Genitals


    • What does it look like?

    During the condition of Plaque psoriasis, the skin often turns dry and inflamed. The red or purplish discolored patches start to arise on the body. On these patches, whitish-silver or light-gray scales can also be seen. 

    Doubtlessly, immense pain and burning sensation are experienced on these patches. Additionally, they are also very discomforting even to look at. 


    Who gets the plaque psoriasis most and why?

    Although plaque psoriasis can affect anyone irrespective of age and gender, certain people are still more prone to this skin disease due to some pre-existing conditions. It mainly involves: 

  • If you or anyone in your family has a medical history of psoriasis.
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  • If you consume excessive medicines. The studies have found that medications such as beta-blockers, lithium, antimalarial drugs, imiquimod, and interferons, share a common link with psoriasis. 
  • If you are already dealing with some auto-immune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, or psoriatic arthritis. 
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  • If you take gluten, non-vegetarian diet, and excessive dairy products. 
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  • If you smoke or drink alcohol in immoderate quantities. 


    • Symptoms of Plaque psoriasis

  • Plaques: Dry, raised, and red patches.
  • Scales: Unpleasant, dry, thin, and silvery-white coating on such Plaques. 
  • Cracking and bleeding: In the case of chronic plaque psoriasis, the skin may even start to crack where bleeding out of it is also possible. 

    •  

    Causes of plaque psoriasis

    The exact single-defined cause for this type of psoriasis is not known yet. Yet it is considered that the faulty response of your immune system is the main cause of plaque psoriasis. 

    During this condition, the immune cells become overactive and start to produce molecules that trigger the rapid production of skin cells which are eventually seen on the skin in the form of Plaques. 


    Risk factors of plaque psoriasis

    • Genes 
    • Excessive intake of medicines
    • Gluten
    • Dairy products 
    • Non-vegetarian diet
    • Smoking & alcohol
    • Distress


    How to diagnose plaque psoriasis

    Although the symptoms of plaque psoriasis are already stated above, if you are experiencing any of these then consult a dermatologist, or skin specialist as soon as possible. 

    The doctor will examine your existing condition and may do a biopsy test to confirm whether you are suffering from plaque psoriasis, or not. If the test shows positive results, then the plaque psoriasis treatment will be provided accordingly. 


    Plaque Psoriasis Treatment in Ayurveda

    In Ayurvedic terminology, the reason behind this Kushtha (skin disease) manifestation is believed to be an imbalance in dhatus and doshas, mainly the Vata and Kapha Dosha. The following measures are generally used in Ayurvedic management of plaque psoriasis: 


    Ahaar Parivartana: 

    Emphasis is laid down on what is inside your system that’s causing reflection outside, or say on the skin. A complete avoidance of all junk food, non-vegetarian, gluten-rich items, and dairy products (except cow ghee) is recommended. 


    In an ideal diet for plaque psoriasis management, you can include fresh fruits, green leafy, vegetables, juices, soups, and kadhas. It will keep you a lot to keep your skin moisturized, and will also provide it with all essential nutrients, and oxidants that a healthy skin necessarily requires.


    Vihaar Parivartana: 

    Vihaara means lifestyle. It may include the routine you follow, what you do, what you eat, how you sleep, or say how you spend your day. Following a passive lifestyle works as an open invitation to multiple diseases including psoriasis.  


    Instead of lying on the bed all day, try to keep your body active by doing some physical activity. You may do yoga, exercises, Zumba, cycling, or if not these, even mild walking is satisfactory. 


    Apart from adding race to your psoriasis healing journey, this healthy lifestyle will also keep you relaxed, and far away from the risk of obesity.


    Rakta Shudhikarana: 

    Besides Vata Dosha and Kapha Dosha imbalance, the dushit rakta dhatu (when body tissues are excessive, or deficient), is also considered a prime causative factor for all types of psoriasis. 


    Herbal measures are used to purify the blood so that overall skin glory and health can be reclaimed. Aloe vera, guggulu, neem, garlic, onion, guduchi, and haridra are some potent herbs that are mainly utilized for this purpose. 


    Different measures are used while using these herbs, sometimes the kadhas are made for oral consumption, and sometimes they are advised to be chewed raw, or by adding them into routine meals. Even in some instances, the paste of these herbs are also applied to the psoriasis-affected areas. 


    Panchakarma kriyas:

    One prominent branch of the holistic healing approach consists of Panchakarma. The procedure contains multiple body-system detoxifying and rejuvenating therapies via which the harmful toxins are eliminated throughout the body and optimal health is reclaimed. For plaque psoriasis treatment, the involved karmas are:

    • Vamana karma: Vomiting is induced by using different types of rasas, mainly ghrit and tikta rasa. 
    • Virechana karma: Bowel movements are improved using natural laxatives, and a ghee-rich diet for the purpose of purgation. 

    Shamana chikitsa: It involves the oral and topical applications of herbs, and oil to rejuvenate the tissues, and alleviate psoriasis symptoms.

     

    FAQ's

     

    1. Is plaque psoriasis contagious?

    No! Not at all, it is not contagious at all.
    We have seen people trying to stay at a distance with psoriasis patients, fearing that they may get infected by this disease through physical contact, or transmission. But that’s not how it is. In fact, all types of psoriasis are non-contagious.

    2. Which ointment is best for plaque psoriasis?

    Ayurveda always gives you more than you expect. In fact, not confined to just one, or two ointments, there are multiple natural ointments available for Plaque psoriasis management. Some of these are Aloe vera gel, Cow’s ghee, tea tree oil, chamomile, virgin coconut oil, and bergamot oil.

    3. How to treat plaque psoriasis on the scalp?

    Simple- by choosing Ayurveda. For Ayurvedic treatment of scalp psoriasis, firstly the use of any chemical-based products is restricted. For baths, use sour curd, herbal shampoos, soaps, and moisturizers only. And that’s complementary, don’t forget to take your routine psoriasis medication.

    4. Is light therapy good for plaque psoriasis?

    Well, yes! To a certain extent, plaque psoriasis light therapy can be helpful for some patients. During the procedure, exposure to natural or artificial light is used as a measure to improve skin health and glory.

    5. What precautions a patient with plaque psoriasis should follow?

    A patient should keep in mind the following things along with his/her routine medications:

    • Do not wear tight clothes, they may stick to your patches and cause pain.
    • Don’t eat junk, gluten, non-veg, and excessive dairy products.
    • Avoid taking excessive stress, it can trigger your psoriasis.
    • Strictly avoid smoking and alcohol.
    • Don’t use any chemical-based soap, shampoo, or conditioner.