Know the Symptoms of Psoriasis

The symptoms of psoriasis occur when faulty signals in the immune system cause skin cells to regenerate every three to four days, instead of the usual 30-day cycle. The faulty signals in the immune system are the T cells (white blood cells) that play a major role in the internal process.

T cells naturally circulate throughout the body looking for antigens or foreign substances like a bacteria or a virus, which activates the T cell and initiates an immune response to neutralize the antigen.

In psoriasis, activated T cells end up in the skin causing extra skin cells to build up on the skin's surface, forming red, flaky, scaly lesions that can itch, crack, bleed, and be extremely painful affecting more than 5 million people.

What Causes the Symptoms of Psoriasis?

The cause of psoriasis has not been determined but there are many factors associated with it such as...

food allergies

metabolic problems

hypothyroidism

stress

faulty utilization of fat by the liver

buildup of toxins in the colon (large intestine)

According to Dr. Ray Peat and others, low thyroid function is associated with many skin problems, including the symptoms of psoriasis. When thyroid function is low, prolactin (protein hormone of the anterior lobe of the pituitary) increases.

Excess prolactin increases cell division. Sunlight is known to decrease prolactin formation, whereas darkness and stress can increase prolactin levels and this is why people who suffer from psoriasis frequently notice an improvement in their skin during the summer months.

Self-Help Tips For Combating the Symptoms of Psoriasis

A diet low in fried foods, processed foods, saturated fats (found in meat and dairy products), sugar, or white flour is important. Dr John Pagano, author of "Healing Psoriasis", found that in Germany there was a high incidence of psoriasis prior to World War II.

During the war, the disease nearly disappeared when certain foods, especially red meats, were in short supply. After the war, as the economy recovered and the food supply returned to pre-war standards psoriasis came back.

Supplying the body with essential fatty acids like flax, borage or fish oil aids in preventing dry skin, which is a possible link to the faulty utilization of fat.

Additional digestive enzymes can help with protein synthesis and to aid with proper digestion.

A good Multi-Mineral / Vitamin with vitamins B, A, E, C, and D helps to address any nutritional deficiencies, and supports the healing of skin tissue.

Colon cleansing is very important to promote the excretion of toxins. Some simple things you can do to promote regularity are...
- Make sure that you drink plenty of clean water (eight to ten eight ounce glasses per day). If you're constipated, drinking several cups of warm water in the morning on an empty stomach can help to get things moving again.
- Add extra fiber to your diet. Some examples are fruits, vegetables, oat bran, golden flax meal, apple pectin and psyllium husks.
To address the symptoms of psoriasis, cold pressed flaxseed, sesame or soybean oils can be applied topically.

Wishing You Good Health!
The Editors i-health-info.com

Leave Know the Symptoms of Psoriasis - return to health issues index

home