The most important thing to grasp about external (topical) applications is that all of them are merely palliative. As effective as some of them are in soothing the inflamed skin of psoriasis, they do not get to the root cause of the disease. The oils and ointments make the skin more pliable, rendering it less prone to splitting and cracking, which is a major problem for many psoriasis sufferers. Removal of scales and less new scaling seem to be a fringe benefit of using these creams and oils. Personally, I believe they aid in healing the surface cells by acting therapeutically on the lesions as if they were wounds.
No one can deny that both the sun and ultraviolet-light treatments have often helped alleviate surface lesions and have kept some sufferers clear for several months. An equal number, however, have experienced the pain and discouragement of the return of their lesions, often worse than before. The obvious reason for their return is that the root cause of the disease is not affected by surface applications.
The following measures are suggested for the purpose of soothing the surface areas and alleviating at least some of the distressing symptoms, particularly itching. Although they will not address the root cause of the condition, they can offer comfort while the basic internal cause is being corrected.
• An olive oil-peanut oil mixture
• Castor oil
• Cuticura soap, ointment, and shampoo
• Resinol
• Vaseline (white) and the new Vaseline cocoa butter, Baker’s p&S Liquid, Ray’s Ointment (for the hairline)
• Vitamin E
• Epsom or Dead Sea salts baths
• Fume and/or steam baths, wet sauna
• Sunlight and ultraviolet light
• Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) baths and Aveeno baths
• Witch hazel, Lisrerine, Glyco-Thymoline sitz bath for the genital area
• Electrical stimulation and ultrasound (professionally applied)
• Olive oil-tincture of myrrh massage
• Hydrophilic ointment
• Physiotherapy at home
• Pure, organic coconut oil
Olive Oil-Peanut Oil Mixture
Get a free trial of Dermasis psoriasis cream. and Read the Quick Action Plan to cure psoriasisA mixture of equal parts olive oil and peanut oil is one of the most soothing applications. (Peanut oil is not to be used externally if there is an allergy to peanuts.) It can be massaged into individual lesions or over the entire body, and it helps prevent the cracking of dried lesions. This mixture is most useful in the winter, when the humidity indoors is low due to artificial heat. It is also the best application for the scalp when a viselike feeling grips the head, and lesions characterized by a white, snow-capped appearance as well as lumps are seen or felt all over the scalp.
I suggest the use of the olive oil-peanut oil mixture more than any other external oil application at home because, as mentioned, it helps heal the surface cells, enhances the skin’s pliability, and is relatively easy to clean when applied to the scalp.
If the lesions are thick and disfiguring throughout the torso, I advise my patients to massage the mixture well into the lesions and then place a plastic bag, such as those used by dry cleaners, over the torso. Openings are cut for the head and the arms, and the bag is cut to waist length and then worn underneath pajamas. In the morning, the plastic bag is removed and discarded. Plastic bags can be used on the thighs or the legs as well, but not at the same time as on the torso .. There must be enough body surface exposed to the air for the skin to breathe efficiently. Under no circumstances should plastic bags or plastic wrap be used on children, since this may accidentally cause strangulation or suffocation.
Two or three bag treatments a week are usually sufficient, even in the most severe cases. Naturally, as the condition improves, this type of application can be cut down until it is no longer necessary. A similar application may be used for the arms, particularly the elbows; the only difference being that plastic wrap is used Instead of the bags to seal off the skin. I have found this method to be a good substitute for the more elaborate occlusion suits used by some psoriatics, The plastic bags or wrap are simply discarded after use and cost very little.
Some patients have problems using plastic wrap or bags directly on the skin. They find it hot, sweaty, and generally uncomfortable. Instead they wear white cotton gloves or socks on the hands or feet after massaging them with the olive oil-peanut oil mixture or castor oil. For large areas such as the back, the chest, or the abdomen, they rub the oils in deeply, allow them to be absorbed for a few minutes, then put on a white cotton overshirt or sweatshirt and retire for the night. Frankly, I prefer this to the age-old method of using plastic or rubber wrapping directly over the oil, For one thing, it is much more comfortable. Cloth also allows the skin to breathe and is less restrictive. The difference, however, is obvious; cotton garments are not disposable. Laundering the garments after use must be made part of [he routine. Many patients feel that the advantages of using white cotton garments, without the plastic wrap, far outweigh the inconvenience of laundering. White cotton also does not contain dyes characteristic of color clothing that may irritate the skin.
A good tip when washing the oil-stained clothing is to add a cup of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to the water during the wash cycle to help remove the oil. Needless to say the wash load should contain only the clothes used for this purpose, even if it means accumulating them in their own hamper for a few days before laundering. Realize that there will always be a certain amount of staining of the clothing Or linens, no matter how carefully they are washed, so patients should not use their best garments or linens for this purpose. The only drawback in applying the olive oil-peanut oil mixture is that you may smell a bit like a salad! Although I prefer the unscented version, there is on the market an olive oil-peanut oil mixture with a lovely almond scent that makes all the difference.
Castor Oil
Castor oil has more benefits than most people realize. Not only is it a natural cathartic when taken internally, but castor oil is a most effective topical application for several conditions not typically associated with its use. I have successfully used it on warts and sprains and strains in athletic injuries, and even on myself when I had a kidney stone attack.
In psoriasis cases, castor oil should be viewed as a topical application to be used particularly on heavy, circumscribed lesions. The castor oil should be “cold-pressed, AA-VSP,” which is available through Baar Products and the Heritage Store. The best use of the oil is to gently rub a liberal amount into the lesions and leave it on overnight or at least for several hours. Because of its viscosity (thickness), it is not used as a scalp treatment or for massaging the body in general, as it would be rather difficult to remove. On smaller, circumscribed areas, however, it can be most effective.
There are certain combinations that increase the usefulness of the oil. Castor oil rubbed into a lesion, followed immediately by Resinol applied right over the oil, helps relieve itching of the lesion. Rubbing a paste made from castor oil combined with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) into thick, scaly heels or other heavily encrusted lesions has shown remarkable results in most patients. If the skin is cracked, however, this combination may prove to be somewhat caustic and should not be used until the skin has healed over. In such cases, the olive oil-peanut oil mixture or plain castor oil, without the baking soda, is used instead. Other soothing applications are Vaseline cocoa butter and/or coconut oiL
Cuticura Soap, Ointment, and Shampoo
Cuticura soap, ointment, and shampoo are among the oldest bath products available. This soap is widely used in cases of psoriasis when following my regimen. As mentioned earlier, the only time it is not used is if the sufferer has an allergic reaction to one of its ingredients, which is rarely the case. Cuticura ointment has been very effective on large patches of psoriasis, particularly common vulgaris, which are wel circumscribed and raised above the surface of the skin (acanthosis). It can be used alone or in combination with castor oil. A plastic wrapping over the lesion is needed to prevent soiling of clothing or linens, as this compound is capable of heavy staining and discoloration. Cuticura shampoo is often effective on the scalp but may have to be ordered from a local druggist or through Baar Products.
Resinol
Resinol is recommended to prevent itching. As mentioned earlier, I have found it quite helpful in combination with castor oil in the event that Curicura ointment is unavailable. Many anti-itch products are on the market these days, and I advise people to use whatever seems to help.
Vaseline, Baker’s P&S liquid, and Ray’s Ointment
Three products that can be used along the hairline, on small, circumscribed lesions of the scalp, and behind the ears are Vaseline, Baker’s P&S Liquid, and Ray’s Ointment. Although quite different in their makeup, they all have repeatedly proven to be helpful when used in these areas.
Epsom and Dead Sea Salts Baths
An Epsom salts bath is one of the most beneficial, cleansing procedures readily available to most patients. The water should be comfortably hot and the tub filled enough so the patient’s entire body, up to the neck, can be immersed. The water should contain about four pounds of Epsom salts. To use only a cup or two would not be very effective in most cases of psoriasis, In the case of Dead Sea salts, a cup and a half is all that is necessary in a tub of comfortably hot water.
You should remain in the tub for about twenty or thirty minutes and reheating the water periodically as it cools. It is best to keep the water temperature between 106 and 108 degrees Fahrenheit, but keep it at what feels comfortable to you, If possible, these baths should be taken at least twice a week, followed with a good olive oil – peanut oil massage before retiring for the night.
There are precautions, however, that must be observed. Epsom salts baths should not be taken if:
• There is a heart or blood-pressure problem.
• The skin is cracked or is so sensitive that the salts cause a painful burning sensation.
• The person is alone (in case of dizziness or faintness),
• There is no one available to help a person into or out of the tub should he or she be geriatric or severely arthritic.
The key word is caution. Be sensible; don’t be in a hurry, An Epsom salts bath should be one of the most soothing, gentle cleansing procedures experienced by the psoriatic. My patients make it so when I insist that they take the necessary precautions.
Fume and/or Steam Baths and Wet Sauna
It is listed here because it may also be classified as an external application. In essence, the fume or steam bath may be thought of as an external application that aids internal cleansing.
Sunlight and Ultraviolet Light
Natural sunlight is the best form of ultraviolet light for the psoriatic, but with two stipulations: never be exposed to the point of getting sunburned, and never sunbathe between the hours of 11″:00 .A.M. and 3:00 P.M. These precautions apply to everyone, psoriatic or not, when you take into account the warnings astronomers have issued in recent years about increased sunspot activity and the alarming destruction of our Earth’s protective ozone layer. More sunspot activity means more radioactive light coming into our atmosphere, leading to a higher incidence of skin cancer. So don’t attempt to soak up too many rays in one sitting, even outside the midday hours.
Since some people are more sensitive to the sun’s rays than others are, we cannot say exactly how much is too much. Ten minutes could have little effect on one person and scald another. If a sunscreen is used in a lotion, it should have an SPF of at least 15 and be placed on areas that have ‘no lesions. There is also a decided difference between ten minutes in the sun on northern beaches, such as those of the North Atlantic seaboard, and ten minutes in the tropical sun, such as in the Caribbean. Gradual exposure is the safest way. Only time and experience can tell you what is right for you, but if it is a question of coming out of the sun sooner or later, make it sooner.
If the skin does become burned, I advise the application of GlycoThymoline, apple cider vinegar diluted in watet,ot any of the known sunburn lotions that have proven to be helpful. Although apple cider vinegar diluted in water has been used successfully, I would not use it on open lesions. On areas where there are no lesions, it may prove to be a godsend. It is best to try it 00 small areas first and observe the reaction .. As always, caution is advised, as some individuals may react unfavorably.
The most important thing is to exercise common sense. People particularly sensitive to the sun should avoid exposing their skin to it. However, ultraviolet light from the sun can still benefit psoriarics if they wear lightweight clothing. Even if patients are not especially sensitive to the sun, they should be careful not to overexpose themselves and should choose carefully the hours of the day to sunbathe. In general, swimming in clean salt water followed by moderate exposure to the sun is the most beneficial external treatment available to the psoriatic.
Artificial Ultraviolet Light
Surprisingly, the external application of ultraviolet light has played a relatively minor role in the clearing of my patients’ psoriasis. For those who had an ultraviolet light home unit long use is not discouraged as long as it was prescribed by a dermatologist who gave proper instructions. Even under these conditions there can be dangers. On several occasions, the overuse of a patient’s home unit caused a most severe reaction, marked by swollen eyelids, hypersensitive skin, and swollen lips, which took several days to overcome.
Although tanning salons continue to gain in popularity throughout the United Scates, the dangers involved should be clearly recognized. One article stared that the position of the AMA was that there is no known medical benefit from cosmetic tanning.
The AMA’s science council cited a recent study concluding that high-intensity, ultraviolet radiation emitted by even the newest and safest devices, has no known beneficial effects to human health and is potentially dangerous. It said short-term and longterm. exposure can cause changes in the skin, compromising its ability to ward off disease, causing it to degenerate and making it more likely to produce tumors.
Psoriatics and anyone else influenced by the public craze for tanning should take heed of these warnings.
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) and Aveeno Baths
General itching, or pruritus, is one of the most irritating problems the psoriatic has to face, especially during the early stages of therapy. The one thing a patient must never do is scratch! The result will only be increased irritation, bleeding, possible infection, and the formation of new psoriatic lesions.
In many cases, about one pound of baking soda in a tub of comfortably hot water is very effective in relieving the itch. At times, two pounds in a tub of water. It may not work in every case, but it is inexpensive and certainly worth a try. Another product is Aveeno, which has an oatmeal base and is added to the tub of water. Results have been generally encouraging. This product is available in any drugstore, The idea is to find what works best for each patient and use it.
A paste of sodium bicarbonate and apple cider vinegar often relieves the itch in circumscribed areas. It is most interesting that at least one patient called to inform me of his almost immediate relief of generalized itching when he put one teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in a glass of water and drank it. Within a few minutes after he drank the water, the itch that was torturing him subsided. Undoubtedly, a shift in the chemistry of his body took place, the sodium bicarbonate rendering it more alkaline, or at least neutralizing the acidity throughout his system. Whatever the reason, the procedure was harmless but highly effective and may be helpful in some patients when generalized itching occurs.
Witch Hazel, Listerine, and Glyco-Thymoline
Witch hazel is a useful addition to the fume bath for psoriarics, as mentioned earlier: a tablespoon of Witch hazel is placed in half a pint of water, which is used in the steam cabinet. In addition to helping to remove toxins, witch hazel placed in the water of a fume bath provides another benefit- relief from itching. Sometimes, when all else fails, applying it directly to the irritated area proves helpful. It is applied with a cotton ball, or if there are no open cracks in the skin, the witch hazel can be applied directly with the fingers or the palm of ehe hand.
Lisrerine, the popular throat antiseptic, is used primarily on areas of the scalp when itching is a problem. It is used by simply dabbing it on small lesions or diluting in warm water (about 20 percent Listerine to 80 percent water, making one quart) and using it as a general rinse following a shampoo.
Glyco- Thymoline is a red, alkaline mouthwash that has been on the market for many years. It may be ordered from a local druggist or from the suppliers listed in appendix D. It, too, is applied directly to the skin to relieve itching or sunburn or is diluted and used as a final rinse after a shampoo. Glyco- Thymoline has also been suggested as an alkalizer and intestinal antiseptic when taken internally. Most patients take just four or five drops in a glass ‘Of water before bedtime. It has been described in the Cayce material as an alimentary canal purifier, most desirable to the psoriatic, especially for those suffering from psoriatic arthritis. Patients usually take it five nights out of the week.
Psoriasis or Eczema of the Genital Area
Psoriatic lesions andlor the rash of eczema on the genitals are probably the most irritating, uncomfortable, and tormenting annoyance a person can experience. We have found the use of a small sitz bath using Glyco-Thymoline or Lavoris (both mouthwashes) most helpful as an external application. Depending on the size of the person, a small basin of lukewarm water, about three-quarters full, is placed in an empty bathtub. About a cup of Glyco-Thymoline or Lavoris is added to the water. One then squats down in the basin, soaking the entire genital area for about ten or fifteen minutes. (Geriatric patients may need help with this.) Then the patient stands and pats the area dry, without rinsing. About fifteen to twenty minutes later, the patient may shower.
Electrical Stimulation and Ultrasound
The electrical stimulation I refer to here comes from a physiotherapy unit, a muscle stimulator, which is applied only by a physician to the primary areas of the spine directly involved in psoriasis, namely, the third cervical; the sixth, seventh, and ninth dorsal; and the fourth lumbar vertebrae.
By applying small electrical pads to these specific areas, impulses may stimulate the nerve roots emanating from between these vertebrae, helping to ensure nerve flow to the glandular and internal organs that are involved. It is gentle in application, relaxing, and generally may help the overall picture. This therapy, along with spinal adjustments and deep massage along the spine, is the best natural method that can help ensure normal nerve flow to the internal organs as well as the skin itself.
Studies show that using ultrasound to heat the body (controlled hyperthermia) helps clear the skin of psoriasis. This form of treatment is based simply on evidence that heat appears to benefit psoriasis sufferers, as psoriasis generally improves in the summer and gets worse in the winter. This therapy seems to work best on small, confined lesions.
Use of ultrasound in cases involving psoriasis of the palms is very beneficial.
At times, the skin of the palms can become so thick with scales, stiffness, and cracking that it resembles elephant skin. The ultrasound, used with the patient’s hands submerged in a basin of warm water, helps soften the heavily callused palms, allowing subsequent oil/electric mitt home treatment to be more effective. This type of therapy should also be administered only by a physician or a trained physician’s assistant. It is mentioned here only for the benefit of those doctors who have access to an ultrasound unit but may not be aware of its effectiveness in such cases. Vaseline cocoa butter massaged into the hands, which are then placed into white gym socks and left overnight, is also very helpful.
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