Natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet are not well known by those affected by the condition.
There are many more options available than what is commonly offered by your primary care physician or Dermatologist. Psoriasis is a common skin condition occurring in over 3 million people within the United States alone. The rash is caused by an abnormal immune response by white blood cells called T-lymphocytes and dendritic cells (1). In psoriasis, a high proliferation rate of skin cells occurs,, along with release of inflammatory substances such as cytokines. The following natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet are available to reduce redness, flaking, area involved, and thickening of the skin. Natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet are not well known by those affected by the condition.
Triggers for Psoriasis
Natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet include avoiding the triggers that increase the chances of a flare. These triggers include:
- cold or dry air
- anxiety and stress
- smoking
- alcohol use
- skin wounds
- infection
- medications including propanolol, indomethacin, quinidine, lithium, and malaria drugs such as Plaquenil
Hold the alcohol containing beverages to reduce the risk of psoriasis. A meta-analysis by Zhu KJ et al (5) including 15 case-control studies suggested that alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of psoriasis. Findings from the study showed that the odds of developing psoriasis was over 50% higher in alcohol drinkers than non-drinkers. Natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet might also include simply avoiding behaviors and substances that make psoriasis flare or cause it to become worse.
Vitamin D for Psoriasis
Those with psoriasis have noted an improvement of the condition in the Summer months due to higher amounts of exposure to sunlight which translates to higher levels of vitamin D. It is known that psoriasis rates are higher in populations further from the equator, and lower in those closer to the equator. Ultraviolet light is a useful standard treatment which is effective for psoriasis. Topical vitamin D treatments are known to improve psoriasis. The traditional medical establishment often uses both topical steroid creams and vitamin D analog creams together, as this combination is known to provide better control of psoriasis than any one of these agents alone. Psoriasis appears to be associated with low vitamin D levels, but the relationship is unclear (1).
Millsop JW et al (8) reviewed 9 trials which included vitamin D supplementation as one of the natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet as well as psoriatic arthritis. The authors found that vitamin D supplementation was correlated to improvement in psoriasis by 21-76% over a course of 3 months to 3 years. Optimizing your vitamin D level should therefore be considered as one of the natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet. To learn more about optimizing your vitamin D level please see vitamin D.
Pycnogenol® for Psoriasis of the Scalp, Elbows, Hands and Feet
A 12 week study which evaluated one of the natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet was conducted in 2015 by Belcaro G et al. The authors studied 73 patients either on standard psoriasis treatment by a doctor or standard treatment plus Pycnogenol®. The 48 patients taking this supplement at a dose of 50 mg by mouth three times daily (total of 150 mg daily), were note to have the following significant changes in their psoriasis in the Pycnogenol® group compared to the standard treatment group.
- Half of the amount of skin calus formation and hardening after 6 weeks.
- Exfoliating skin cells show higher degree of hydration
- Used less medication, spent about 30% less on medication, and had lower oxidative stress measured by a blood test.
- 20% lesser amounts of psoriasis overall
- Over 40% less skin hardening, redness, and flaking in the Pycnogenol® group compared to 21%, 28%, and 16% respectively in the standard treatment group
Aloe vera for Psoriasis
Topical Aloe vera is one of the traditionally known natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet.. Aloe was found to be effective in patients with psoriasis. Choonhakarn C et al (3) studied participants in a randomized, comparative, double-blind designed trial were treated with aloe vera cream (described as a 70% mucilage in the study) or 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide applied to the skin. The aloe mucilage group had a significantly greater reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) after eight weeks of treatment, than patients on 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide. The PASI score decreased by an average of 7.7 points in the aloe vera group and 6.6 points in the patients treated with TA. The change in disease-related quality of life scores did not differ significantly between groups.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial by Syed TA et al (4) assessed aloe as one of the natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet. A topical 0.5% hydrophilic aloe vera cream was applied 3 times daily for 5 consecutive days per week (maximum 4 weeks active treatment) was compared to placebo cream in 60 patients with mild to moderate chronic plaque-type psoriasis. Patients were followed-up for 12 months. The treatment was well tolerated by all the patients, with no adverse drug-related symptoms. By the end of the study, the Aloe vera extract cream had cured 25/30 patients (83.3%) compared to the placebo cure rate of 2/30 (6.6%). The rate of clearing of the psoriatic plaques was also significantly better with aloe vera (82.8%) than with placebo (7.7%).
Home Ultraviolet Light for Psoriasis of the Scalp, Elbows, Hands and Feet
If you consider artificial ultraviolet light as “natural,” home ultraviolet light might be considered among natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet. According to Bill Hendrick (6), an author at WebMD, “Psoriasis patients find home treatment less burdensome, equally safe and effective as UVB treatment in clinical settings.” Mr. Hendrick explained that psoriasis therapy was found to be equally effective in both the clinical treatment and the home settings in a study at University Medical Center Utrecht, the University of Groningen, and St. Antonius Hospital as cited in Web MD.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids for Psoriasis of the Scalp, Elbows, Hands and Feet
Omega 3 fatty acids in the form of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) may be one of the most effective natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet. Millsop JW et al (8) reviewed 15 trials done on the use of omega 3 fish oil for psoriasis with a wide range of doses between 360 mg to 8000 mg daily for DHA and 540 mg to 12000 grams daily for EPA. Out of these 15 trials, 13 showed at least a mild improvement in psoriasis, About 9 trials showed a moderate to excellent response in the severity of psoriasis.
Anti-inflammatory Diets
Anti-inflammatory diets such as the Mediterranean diet or Dr Weils’s anti-inflammatory diet may be useful to help control psoriasis as natural treatment for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet. Barrea L et al (9) determined that about 30% of psoriasis patients had a low rate of compliance to a Mediterranean diet but only 5% controls without psoriasis had a low rate of adherence to this diet. These diets contain foods that are important to help control inflammation such as fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, and tree nuts,
Turmeric with the Active Agent Curcumin for Psoriasis
Turmeric with it’s active ingredient curcumin may be an effective natural treatment for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet. Sarafian G, et al (11) performed a randomized double blind clinical trial in which a hydroalcoholic turmeric extract was applied to psoriasis. The study compared the treatment to a placebo on opposite sides of the body on the same subjects and found improvement in redness and itching after 9 weeks. Bright JJ (12) described that turmeric and it’s active ingredient curcumin has been shown in research to improve several markers of inflammation. More research is needed for using turmeric for this purpose but research is promising. Turmeric and curcumin has extensive research showing benefit in many diseases related to inflammation and autoimmune causes. See more information on turmeric.
Coconut Oil and Psoriasis Natural Treatment
The evidence for coconut oil ingestion or coconut oil for topical use is lacking. Coconut oil may be included as part of an anti-inflammatory diet, but coconut oil preparations have not been researched adequately as a natural treatment for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet. George SA et al (10) applied coconut oil topically to psoriasis prior to the use of ultraviolet light. The author found that coconut oil did not improve psoriasis more than the ultraviolet light alone.
Tea Tree Oil for Psoriasis
Tea tree oil has been used by reports in the past as one of the natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet. The evidence for tea tree oils’ effectiveness is lacking other than what is seen in anecdotal reports by those who have tried it. Tea tree oil contains terpinen-4-ol which is known to produce strong anti-inflammatory effects and may be attempted as a safe alternative to other traditional therapies (7). More research on tea tree oil for psoriasis is needed.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Psoriasis
Vinegar has been used by many according to online reports and is among the natural treatments for psoriasis of the scalp, elbows, hands and feet. There is no research performed showing evidence that it is effective or harmful for psoriasis. Many have had some success using it on the scalp or on their psoriasis lesions. It is typically placed on the area of psoriasis plaque at full strength or half strength for 20 minutes then rinsed off for 5 days per week. If vinegar is overused or ingested long term in high enough amounts, the acidity is known to cause dangerous consequences.