Psoriasis is a chronic dermatosis in which red, inflamed patches appear on the skin with constant scaling ( psoriatic plaques). The disease can develop at different rates, showing plaques on any part of the body. However, most often the disease affects the elbow joints, scalp, knee joints, lower back. There are many reasons and conditions favorable for the development of psoriasis. These are any physical damage to the skin, chemical burns, changes in hormonal levels, a strong decrease in immunity or stress, etc.
Psoriasis treatment also depends on many factors. Only a professional doctor should prescribe it. It is necessary to carefully apply potent agents during the progressive stage (the time of the appearance and growth of new plaques), so as not to provoke an even greater exacerbation. The main treatment is best done while the growth of the rash stops at the stationary or regressive stage of the disease. Folk remedies can be used in the treatment of psoriasis, but only after consultation with a specialist and only in combination with the main treatment.
Amazing Natural Cures
In the effective treatment of psoriasis, birch tar is indispensable (due to its natural antiseptic, wound-healing properties) . Psoriasis is not an infectious disease, but in some cases it appears or worsens for the first time after an infection. Sometimes the disease can be complicated by an attached fungal infection or streptococcal purulent skin lesions. Having in its composition a huge amount of useful substances, tar relieves the general condition of the patient, relieves itching and inflammation of the skin. In addition, special substances contained in wood tar are able to regulate the growth of cells with damaged DNA, thereby slowing down the growth of psoriatic plaques.
For treatment, tar is used both in pure form and with a small dose of concentration in the composition of shampoos and creams. For a stronger effect, birch tar is mixed with sulfur or salicylic acid. This ointment is used for the most severe forms of the disease. Heals tar birch psoriasis rather quickly. Already in the first week, the skin is noticeably cleared of crusts, by the end of the second week, a significant decrease in peeling and inflammation is noticeable, the time until complete healing depends on the stage of psoriasis and the individual characteristics of the patient’s body.
Recipes and rules for the treatment of tar
To avoid irritation on the skin or exacerbation of the disease, it is better to start treatment with fat-based and weaker composition, where the tar components are less active than in water-based preparations. Sometimes, when the compositions are applied to the lesions, a short-term burning sensation appears. However, such sensations are repeated only in the first few times of using tar preparations.
1. Pure tar is rubbed into psoriatic plaques with a hard natural brush (with a concentration of no more than 5% – unrefined or up to 10% – cleaned). For better tolerance, up to 2% boric acid can be immediately added to the tar. It is necessary to wash off the ointment no earlier than after 30 minutes. Daily use is recommended. After removing tar residues, lubricate the affected areas with an indifferent ointment (boric, salicylic acid, or any other lanolin-based ointment).
2. In case of an old disease, to soften the skin, first take a medicinal bath with herbs and oils, lasting about half an hour, and then apply tar to the skin areas affected by psoriasis. Repeat the procedure until the plaque softens.
3. It is very easy to prepare homemade ointments, which include birch tar. For example, an ointment of this composition will cure psoriasis : mix 3 tablespoons of honey with 1 egg white, castor oil and tar, 2 tablespoons each.
Attention! Tar increases the sensitivity of the skin to light and heat, so it is highly undesirable to stay in the sun for a long time during treatment. It is not recommended to use tar and tar compositions for the treatment of psoriasis at a progressive stage. It is completely forbidden to use it in case of severe exacerbation of the disease, as well as psoriatic erythroderma.