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Definition

It is a skin condition featuring dull red or salmon pink, oval patches covered with silvery scales.

Accompanying signs & symptoms

Dull red or salmon pink and oval patches covered with silvery scales, heat and itchy sensations of the skin. Mainly appeared on elbows, knees and other joints areas.

Possible Causes

Poor diet. Excessive intake of deep-fried, oily and greasy foods. 
Stress
Poor lifestyle

Physiological Mechanisms

From the Chinese medicine's point of view, psoriasis is a condition that is closely associated to the individuals' lifestyle, diets as well as his/her stress levels. Individuals who have suffered from stress, who favour spicy foods, take away and alcohol, and who prefer cigarette smoking and caffeine drinks are more likely to suffer from psoriasis than those with a healthy and regular lifestyle.

As when the body is under severe emotional or physical stress, it produces vast amount of stress related hormones such as corticosteroids (cortisol) and adrenalines, which in the long term may have suppressed their "normal" immune responses and triggers immune dysfunctions or faulty immune reactions.

Treatment Modalities

Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine

Mechanism of action of the herbs used

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treats the condition by doing the following:
Herbs contain alkaloids and have good antibiotic actions to purge and eliminate the accumulated "toxins" out of the body
Reduce the levels of stress hormones such as adrenaline and corticosteroids
Calm the person and promote emotional wellbeing
Reduce stress and anxiety
Regulate faulty immune responses
Reduce inflammation

Health Advice

Reducing the intake of caffeine and cigarette smoking
Eat a balance diet
Establishing a regular eating habit
Encouraging moderate, regular and outdoor exercises

References

Longman concise medical dictionary, 1994

Chinese-English Manual of Common-Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ou Ming, 1995

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