Battling ITCHY Psoriasis Skin? Try THIS

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted April 24, 2023

Nothing can drive you crazier than an itch.

Sure, there ARE worse things in the world. But an itch that won’t go away can have a HUGELY negative impact on your quality of life.

If you scratch in public, the looks you get make you want to head home. And if the itch strikes at night, you can kiss a good night’s sleep goodbye.

But if you have psoriasis, I’m preaching to the choir. You ALREADY know the limits this condition can put on your life!

So BEFORE you claw your skin off, I want to share some psoriasis-relief hacks to ERASE that maddening itch.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to mistakenly destroy healthy skin cells. Around two percent of the population in the United States has the disease.

Typically, it takes around a month for healthy, normal skin to shed and regenerate. When you have psoriasis, there’s a far more rapid turnover of cells.

These cells often pile up on top of one another. The dry, flaky “scales” that build up on the skin, as a result, can be incredibly itchy.

And folks who deal with chronic itchiness like this often fall victim to the itch-scratch-itch cycle.

Put simply… the more you scratch, the more you itch.

And this cycle is MORE than just annoying. You can quite literally scratch your skin raw, opening you up to infections.

The MOST effective treatment I’ve seen for psoriasis is an elimination diet. It DOES take some commitment and work, which some people find challenging. But it’s quite effective.

Start by eating unprocessed meats and small amounts of fruits and vegetables, such as avocados, squash, and berries. Nuts, beans (including coffee), dairy products, and eggs are all off-limits.

After two to three weeks you should see improvements in the rash and itch. You can then reintroduce foods one at a time to see if any specific one causes your symptoms to return.

Some other things that can help with the rash and itch include:

• Stress relief. Studies show psoriasis flare-ups are often linked to stress. So, taking steps to dial down your stress level can relieve flare-ups. Try hypnosis, meditation, prayer, or anything else that allows YOU to relax.
• Herbal creams. Some folks find herbal creams designed to relieve the itch work quite well. You might need to try several until you find one that works. Oregon grape, aloe, and vitamin B12 are all good ingredients to look for.
• Maintaining good digestive hygiene. Your gut is where your immune system is activated and may be the source of the cross-reaction causing your body to attack itself. Keep your gut healthy by eating cultured dairy products like kefir and yogurt. Cultured vegetables such as sauerkraut and fermented, non-pasteurized pickles are among my favorite probiotic foods because they provide beneficial bacteria for the digestive tract.
• Skin-supporting vitamins. Vitamins A, E, and zinc are vital vitamins for skin health. Make sure you’re getting enough of them.

You likely have been given the advice to avoid hot showers. Most psoriasis sufferers are. But in my experience, many folks with psoriasis BENEFIT from them.

You see, a molecule in your skin called “substance P” causes you to itch. When you expose your rash to hot water, you release substance P.

That might sound counterintuitive at first. But the payoff is huge. Since it takes a while for substance P to regenerate, you’ll be itch-free for hours afterward.

I usually recommend a hot shower focusing the water directly on the rash right before going to bed. This can give you a few hours of relatively itch-free slumber.

However, some folks find hot showers are too drying for their skin. If this is true for you, drop them.

P.S. Researchers has uncovered a potent oil you can apply directly to your skin, making eczema and psoriasis VANISH. And you’ll never believe what it is. CLICK HERE to find out.

Source:

“Pruritus in psoriasis: An update.” Eur J Pain. 2016 Jan;20(1):41-6. doi: 10.1002/ejp.768. Epub 2015 Sep 28. PMID: 26415584.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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