What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, disfiguring auto-immune skin disorder that affects as much as 3 percent of the world’s population (Pereira, 2012, p. 260). There are several types of psoriasis. This website will focus on the treatment of plaque psoriasis, also referred to as psoriasis vulgaris, which accounts for more than 85 percent of psoriasis cases (Aldeen, Psoriasis: a challenging multidisciplinary task, 2011, p. 1366).
What are the Options?
Conventional treatment options offer relief to patients when applied or consumed as suggested. However, it is estimated that 40 percent of psoriasis patients do not adhere to their recommended treatment regimens because they are time-consuming, messy, and unpleasant to use (Maguire, Exploring adherence issues in psoriasis care, 2011, p. 549). Additionally, conventional systematic treatments cannot be taken on a continuous basis due to their adverse effects and high toxicity levels (Traub & Marshall, 2007, p. 323). Traditional systemic psoriasis medications are meant for short-term use (Herrier, 2011, p. 797). Discontinuity of a treatment regimen weakens the effectiveness of disease management. This complex disorder requires a variety of treatment options that complement each other to ensure continuity of care for psoriasis patients. Effective treatment is a major obstacle in the management of psoriasis, in part because the disease is a multidimensional condition that involves the immune system, genetics, and the environment (Pereira, 2012, p. 260). This website provides information regarding evidence-based complementary treatment options for psoriasis management.
What is Holistic Management?
Due to the complexity of this disorder, the most successful approach to management of psoriasis involves a holistic approach that addresses all components of the disease. Holistic care is defined as "relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts. Holistic medicine attempts to treat both the mind and the body" (Webster-Merriam, 2012).
To address the physiological component of care, the Help My Skin tab provides information regarding dietary, herbal, and topical psoriasis treatment. To address the psychological component of care, this Help My Soul tab suggests stress management techniques and support groups. For questions regarding the studies referenced in this website, please use the Ask a Registered Nurse tab.
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To address the physiological component of care, the Help My Skin tab provides information regarding dietary, herbal, and topical psoriasis treatment. To address the psychological component of care, this Help My Soul tab suggests stress management techniques and support groups. For questions regarding the studies referenced in this website, please use the Ask a Registered Nurse tab.
Explore and Enjoy...