At Almasi Skincare we offer the best psoriasis treatment in Nairobi Kenya. This treatment combines the use of prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) products, diet, supplements and lifestyle modifications.
This effective treatment of psoriasis is very important since it lowers the risk of developing the diseases associated with psoriasis like heart, liver and kidney disease as well as mental health disorders.
Click on the link to learn about the Diseases Associated With Psoriasis
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects both men and women. It affects persons of all races though countries in Western Europe were found to have the most psoriasis.
Psoriasis Causes
The root cause of psoriasis is not fully understood. However, genes and the immune system play a role in its development. Psoriasis is categorized as an immune mediated inflammatory disease because cells from the immune system attack the skin cells. This results in an overproduction of skin cells which causes the scaly plaques on the skin.
Psoriasis Triggers
Psoriasis can be triggered by the following factors:
*Injury to the skin for example by cuts, bruises, scratches insect bites or sunburn. This is known as the Koebner phenomenon is thought to be the main trigger for psoriasis.
*Stress
*Infections like strep throat, bronchitis and earaches
*Medications like lithium, prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, ibuprofen, indomethacin, quinidine, beta blockers like propranolol and ACE inhibitors which are used to treat hypertension
*Weather especially cold, dry weather
*Tobacco
*Drinking alcohol excessively
*Obesity and being overweight increases a person’s risk of developing psoriasis. Psoriasis symptoms and psoriatic arthritis symptoms are also more severe in persons who are overweight or obese. Obesity also increases a person’s risk for developing some of the conditions associated with psoriasis like heart disease.
*Hormonal changes in women especially around puberty and menopause
Psoriasis Symptoms
The symptoms of psoriasis vary depending on the type of psoriasis. The most common type of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis and it is characterized by thickened skin covered by white scales. These often develop on the knees, and elbows.
Plaque Psoriasis
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Plantar Pustular Psoriasis
Psoriasis Diagnosis
A diagnosis of psoriasis is made after a doctor takes a medical history, examines the patients skin and does a skin biopsy. The skin biopsy test is the gold standard for psoriasis. There are not blood tests that can diagnose psoriasis.
Psoriasis Treatment in Nairobi Kenya
This treatment of psoriasis includes the use of prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) products, and lifestyle modifications. It is important to note that psoriasis is not 100% curable since there is no cure for psoriasis. However, the following measures can reduce its symptoms.
Prescription Medications for Psoriasis Treatment
Prescription medications used for psoriasis treatment include corticosteroid creams, calcineurin inhibitor creams, vitamin D analogue creams, phototherapy, antimetabolite tablets and biologics.
Corticosteroid Creams for Psoriasis Treatment
Corticosteroid creams used for psoriasis treatment in Nairobi Kenya include betamethasone and mometasone furoate. Combination creams with corticosteroids and other medications like salicylic acid are some of the best known cures of psoriasis.
Calcineurin Inhibitor Creams for Psoriasis Treatment
Calcineurin inhibitor creams used for psoriasis treatment include tacrolimus and pimecrolimus.
Vitamin D Analogues Creams for Psoriasis Treatment
Vitamin D analogue creams used for psoriasis treatment in Nairobi Kenya include calcipotriol. These can be combined with topical corticosteroids like betamethasone.
Medicated Creams for Psoriasis Treatment
Medicated creams used for psoriasis therapy include those that contain coal tar, dithranol and salicylic acid.
Phototherapy for Psoriasis Treatment
Phototherapy is the use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation for treatment. It is used to treat psoriasis as narrowband UVB, broadband UVB and photochemotherapy.
Systemic Tablets for Psoriasis Treatment
Tablets used for systemic therapy for psoriasis include methotrexate, ciclosporin, azathioprin, acitretin and mycophenolate.
Biologics for Psoriasis Treatment
Biologics (monoclonal antibodies) used for psoriasis treatment in Nairobi Kenya include tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors like infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept. Interleukin 12/23 antagonists like ustekinumab and interleukin 17 antagonists like secukinumab.
OTC Products for Psoriasis Treatment
OTC products used for psoriasis treatment include moisturizer, soaps and shampoos.
Moisturizers used for psoriasis include MG217 Coal Tar Ointment which contains 2% coal tar which reduces itching, scaling, dryness and the rapid cell growth associated with psoriasis.
Soaps used for psoriasis treatment include Psorax Soap which contains salicylic acid to remove the scales and reduce inflammation. It also contains coal tar which relieves the itching, scaling, dryness and rapid cell growth associated with psoriasis.
Self care for psoriasis measures include taking a warm bath and using cleansers like Cerave Psoriasis Cleanser which contains 2% salicylic acid and lactic acid to reduce the scaling and ceramides to help restore the skin’s barrier. It also contains urea and niacinamide. Home Health Psoriasis Scalp and Body Wash also contains 2% salicylic acid.
Lifestyle Modifications for Psoriasis Treatment
Lifestyle modifications are important for psoriasis treatment since they help a person avoid their psoriasis triggers and thus reduce psoriasis flare ups. These lifestyle measures include:
Stress Management
Managing stress is very important since studies have shown that reduction of stress levels has a positive effect on the course of psoriasis. Therefore, manage stress effectively by regularly practicing relaxation techniques like abdominal breathing and meditation. If you need help enroll in our Stress Management Workshops.
Avoid Skin Injuries
Avoid injuries to the skin like cuts and bruises. If the skin itches do not scratching it. Avoid insect bites by using bug repellants like Repel 100 Insect Repellent. In addition, apply sunscreen when going outside and stay indoors when the sun is hottest. Ensure that you also reduce the risk of getting psoriasis flare ups by avoiding tattoos and piercings.
Click on the link to learn about Sunburn Treatment
Stop Drinking Alcohol
Stop drinking alcohol excessively since it may reduce the effectiveness of the psoriasis medication. It may also increase your chances of developing serious side effects from some of the medications used to treat it.
Stop Smoking
Stop smoking and stop spending time with smokers because in addition to being one of the risk factors for developing psoriasis, smoking makes some psoriasis treatment medications like biologics less effective. Smoking is also a risk factor for developing some of the conditions associated with psoriasis like heart disease. To quit smoking join our Stop Smoking Program.
Loose Excess Weight
Loosing excess body weight is very important for psoriasis treatment because being overweight increases a person’s risk of developing psoriasis. Obesity also increases a person’s risk for developing some of the conditions associated with psoriasis like heart disease. Obesity also makes psoriasis symptoms and psoriatic arthritis symptoms more severe. A also study found that psoriasis symptoms improved in persons who lost weight by following a low-calorie diet and exercising. Loosing excess body weight also reduces the chances of developing the metabolic syndrome which is linked to psoriasis.
Click on the link for the Weight Loss Smoothies Recipes And Diet Plan
Click on the link to learn about the Mediterranean Diet which can help you lose weight
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Get Infections Treated Early
Develop the habit of consulting a doctor so that you can have any infections treated as soon as they develop.
Bask In The Sun
Lack of sunlight is one of the risk factors for developing psoriasis. Basking in the sun results in the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D under the influence of ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
Therefore bask in the sun since studies have shown a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in person’s with psoriasis.
Practice Good Skincare In Cold, Dry Weather
When the weather is cold and dry take very good care of your skin to prevent flare ups. Do this by taking short, lukewarm baths with gentle cleansers like Oilatum Soap and moisturize the skin immediately after with a fragrance-free cream like Emulsifying Ointment.
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Anti Psoriasis Diet
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease and following an anti-inflammatory diet can help relieve symptoms
Changing the diet in persons with psoriasis can improve skin lesions and reduce their risk of developing some of the conditions associated with psoriasis.
A study recommends that persons with psoriasis should consume omega 3 fatty acids rich foods. These include fatty fish like salmon, sardines and tuna, seafood, vegetable oils like rapeseed oil, linseed oil, walnut oil and nuts like walnuts. This study also recommends persons with psoriasis should avoid saturated fats from animals, trans fats like margarine, highly processed foods and confectionary products.
To learn more, click here to buy The Psoriasis Diet Book
Click here to buy The Psoriasis Diet Book
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FAQ
How to cure psoriasis permanently?
There is no cure for psoriasis. However, if you use prescription medications and follow the lifestyle modifications to reduce psoriasis triggers, psoriasis can go away. Note that when psoriasis goes away after treatment, the person is said to be in remission and this can last from 1 month to 1 year.
What is the meaning of psoriasis?
Psoriasis is the name of diseases that affects the skin and causes raised, scaly patches. When it is not treated effectively it also affects other organs in the body like the joints, kidneys, heart, eyes and lungs.
Visit our Almasi Skincare Clinic today for excellent psoriasis treatment in Nairobi Kenya.