Is Psoriasis permanently curable in Homeopathy?

- Dr.Devendra Kumar Munta MD(Homeo)
Psoriasis is most distracting skin disease makes skin look ugly with scales and severe itching. Patients of Psoriasis search on internet for the treatment of psoriasis with variable queries. Many people have doubt about the curability of the disease. The answer for this is simple. Psoriasis is curable with Homeopathic medicines speedily and without side effects. In this article we will discuss about Psoriasis causes, symptoms and Homeopathic Treatment.

Psoriasis is a genetically determined disorder characterised by development of chronic, well-defined, scaly, erythematous plaques on the extensor aspect of the extremities, especially on the elbows and knees, trunk, back and scalp. Nail involvement is very frequent and often gives the clue to the diagnosis. Psoriasis can be localised or generalised. High variability and unpredictability is the hallmark of this chronic affliction. The estimated prevalence is 1.5% to 3% in the general population. There is wide ethnic and racial variation. It has a bimodal peak of incidence, at 16-22 years and 57-60 years. Female predominance is noted in the younger age group.1


Causes of Psoriasis: 
Basic defect:
There are two key pathophysiological aspects to the abnormalities in psoriatic plaques:
First, the keratinocytes hyperproliferate with a grossly increased mitotic index and an abnormal pattern of differentiation involving the retention of nuclei in the stratum corneum (in normal skin the dead stratum corneum cells do not have nuclei).
Second, there is a large inflammatory cell infiltrate comprising polymorphs, T cells and other inflammatory cells.

keratinocytes hyperproliferate Psoriasis

It is uncertain which of these characteristics is primary. Traditionally, psoriasis was viewed primarily as a disorder of cell turnover but in recent years there has been increased support for the hypothesis that the hyperproliferation may be secondary to the inflammatory infiltrate and that the increase in keratinocyte proliferation is a consequence of inflammatory cell mediators or signalling.

There is a large familial component to psoriasis. Formal estimates from twin studies suggest a hereditability of around 80%. In monozygotic twins perhaps one-third of pairs will be concordant for psoriasis. Put another way, two-thirds of monozygotic twins will not be concordant despite an apparently identical or near-identical genetic background.2

FACTORS CAUSING FLARE-UPS OF PSORIASIS: 

 Trauma 

 •When the condition is erupting, lesions appear in areas of skin damage such as scratches or surgical wounds (Kobnerphenomenon) 

 Infection 

 •β-haemolytic streptococcal throat infections often precede guttate psoriasis 

 Sunlight 

 •Rarely, UVR may worsen psoriasis 

 Drugs 

 •Antimalarials, β-adrenoceptor antagonists (β-blockers) and lithium may worsen psoriasis and the rash may 'rebound' after systemic corticosteroids or potent local corticosteroids are stopped 

 Emotion 

 •Anxiety precipitates some exacerbations 2

Pathological findings in Psoriasis:  
Skin biopsy shows acanthosis and parakeratosis, reflecting the increase in skin turnover. The granular layer is often absent. Polymorphonuclear abscesses may be seen in the upper epidermis. The epidermal rete ridges appear elongated and clubbed as they fold down into the dermis. Dermal changes include capillary dilatation surrounded by a mixed neutrophilic and lymphohistiocytic perivascular infiltrate.3

Clinical Findings in Psoriasis cases:

There are often no symptoms, but itching may occur and be severe. Favored sites include the scalp, elbows, knees, palms and soles, and nails. The lesions are red, sharply defined plaques covered with silvery scales. The glans penis and vulva may be affected. Occasionally, only the flexures (axillae, inguinal areas) are involved. Fine stippling ("pitting") in the nails is highly suggestive of psoriasis . Patients with psoriasis often have a pink or red intergluteal fold. Not all patients have findings in all locations, but the occurrence of a few may help make the diagnosis when other lesions are not typical. Some patients have mainly hand or foot dermatitis and only minimal findings elsewhere. There may be associated arthritis that is most commonly distal and oligoarticular, although the rheumatoid variety with a negative rheumatoid factor may occur. The psychosocial impact of psoriasis is a major factor in determining the treatment of the patient.
Image courtesy:http://www.discoverymedicine.com/Michael-P-Schon/files/2009/08/schon_27_fig1.jpg

How to differentiate psoriasis from other Skin Diseases:
The combination of red plaques with silvery scales on elbows and knees, with scaliness in the scalp or nail findings, is diagnostic. Psoriasis lesions are well demarcated and affect extensor surfaces—in contrast to atopic dermatitis, with poorly demarcated plaques in flexural distribution (see photograph). In body folds, scraping and culture for Candida and examination of scalp and nails will distinguish psoriasis from intertrigo and candidiasis (see photograph). Dystrophic changes in nails may simulate onychomycosis, but again, the general examination combined with a potassium hydroxide (KOH) or fungal culture will be valuable in diagnosis (see photograph). The cutaneous features of reactive arthritis (Reiter syndrome) mimic psoriasis.

General Treatment for Psoriasis:
There are many therapeutic options in psoriasis to be chosen according to the extent and the presence of other findings (for example, arthritis). Certain drugs, such as -blockers, antimalarials, statins, and lithium, may flare or worsen psoriasis. Even tiny doses of systemic corticosteroids given to patients with psoriasis may lead to severe rebound flares of their disease. Never use systemic corticosteroids to treat flares of psoriasis. In general, patients with moderate to severe psoriasis should be managed by or in conjunction with a dermatologist.4

Best treatment for Psoriasis:

Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathy is the best system of medicine which treats the cause of psoriasis. The exact mechanism How Homeopathic remedies work on psoriasis is not known. But there is enough clinical data evident in favor of cure for psoriasis quoted by Homeopathic Physicians all over the world.

Best Homeopathic Remedies for Psoriasis:
It is difficult to mention few remedy names for the treatment of Psoriasis because remedy must be selected based on Patients Constitution. Here are most frequently indicated remedies in case of Psoriatic symptoms.

Sulphur. [Sulph]
 It is one of the most reliable remedies in the cure of psoriasis. **Hydrocotyle. Great dryness and desquamation of the epidermis. Acne rosacea. Its special field is in psoriasis and Dearborn praises it in leprosy. The writer cured a case of inveterate psoriasis universale with this remedy. Dr. H.V. Halbert, of Chicago, considered **Thyroidine in the 3X or 30X potency as worthy a trial in psoriasis. He reports excellent results from its use. Indications are a dry and impoverished skin, cold hands and feet. Psoriasis is a pregrowth symptom of cancer. The condition of the skin should always be noted, being the great organ of elimination of poisons. **Borax was considered by Dr. McClatchey as curative of many cases of psoriasis, and indeed it corresponds to many symptoms of this disease. **Petroleum.

Sepia. [Sep]
 Psoriasis, annular type. Eruption shows bleeding points when scales are removed. **Baryta carbonica. Eczema on dorsa of hands, skin rough, dry and chapped. Herpetic eruptions. **Sepia is also a remedy in psoriasis.5

Skookum chuck [Skook]
 The salts of Medical Lake has cured many bad cases of eczema, psoriasis, and all manner of skin diseases. The 3x trituration is generally used. Give 3 or 4 tablets, twice a day, and continue treatment for weeks.6

Kali sulph [Kali-s]
      PSORIASIS. Several cases of this affection are reported as having been cured with this remedy. Great desquamation of the epidermis is a keynote indication.

Potassium Sulphate

Dryness of the skin from suppressed skin diseases. Dread of hot drinks. ECZEMA. Discharge of yellow, effete matter, eczema suddenly suppressed with other symptoms of this drug. ERUPTIONS. Suddenly receding through a chill or from other causes. Diseased condition of the nails, interrupted growth, skin scales freely on a sticky base. Sores on the skin, with yellow, watery secretion on limited portion, with peeling off of skin.


Homeopathic Remedies for Psoriasis from  Kent Repertory Of Our Homeopathic Materia Medica:

Skin; ERUPTIONS; 
Psoriasis : Alum., am-c., ambr., Ars-i., ars., aur., bor., bry., bufo., calc-s., calc., canth., carb-ac., chin., clem., cor-r., cupr., dulc., iod., iris., kali-ar., kali-br., kali-c., kali-p., kali-s., led., lob.,Lyc., mag-c., mang., merc-c., merc-i-r., merc., mez., nit-ac., nuph., petr., ph-ac., phos., Phyt., psor., puls., ran-b., rhus-t., sarr., sars., Sep., sil., sulph., tell., teucr., thuj.


diffusa : Ars-i., ars., calc., cic., clem., dulc., graph., lyc., merc-i-r., mez., mur-ac., rhus-t., sulph., thuj.
inveterata : Calc., carb-ac., clem., kali-ar., mang., merc., petr., puls., rhus-t., sep., sil., sulph.
syphilitic : Ars-i., ars., aur., cor-r., kali-br., Merc., nit-ac., Phyt., sars., thuj.7Links:
Resources on Psoriasis:

1. Psoriasis and Homeopathic Remedy Indications
2. Psoriasis syphilitica (diffusa, guttata of cornuta)

Record of Psoriasis cases Cured with Homeopathy:

1. Homeopathy treated Psoriasis from its root with Lycopodium 200c
2. Homeopathic action of Lycopodium 200c on Psoriasis.
3. Psoriasis case studies by Dr.Shah
4. Some Psoriasis Case Studies from British Homeopathic Association
5. Only Homeopathy Has A Cure For Psoriasis - Homeopathy World Community

Find Remedy for Psoriasis online From ABC Homeopathy


References and Credits:

1. Hr Jerajani-Dermatology-Papulosquamous Disorders-Section Xxi
2. Davidson-practice of medicine; skin disease; psoriasis and other erythematous scaly eruptions
3. Kumar & clark: clinical medicine 6e -skin disease papulo-squamous/inflammatory rashes
4. Current medical dx; tx; chapter 6. Dermatologic disorders
5. Practical Homoeopathic Therapeutics by Dewey W.A.- Condition - Skin Diseases
6. Therapeutic byways by Anshutz E.P.- Skin
7. http://www.homeoint.org/books/kentrep3/kent1315.htm#P1316