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According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. It often appears between the ages of 15 and 25, but can develop at any age. Psoriasis treatments aim to interrupt the cycle that increases production of skin cells, thereby reducing inflammation and plaque formation. A new feature on MayoClinic.com focuses on psoriasis treatment options, including topical treatments, light therapy (phototherapy) and oral medications.Psoriasis is a common skin disease that affects the life cycle of skin cells. Normally, new cells take about a month to move from the lowest skin layer where they’re produced, to the outermost layer where they die and flake off. With psoriasis, the entire life cycle takes only days. As a result, cells build up rapidly, forming thick silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches that are sometimes painful.

Topical Treatments:
Used alone, creams and ointments applied to skin can effectively treat mild to moderate psoriasis. When skin disease is more severe, creams are likely to be combined with oral medications or phototherapy.

Light Therapy (Phototherapy):
As the name suggests, this psoriasis treatment uses natural or artificial light. The simplest and easiest form of phototherapy involves exposing the skin to controlled amounts of natural sunlight. Other forms of light therapy include using artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) light, either alone or in combination with medications.

Oral Medications:
Severe psoriasis, or psoriasis that resists other types of treatment, may be treated with oral or injected drugs. Because of severe side effects, some of these medications are used for brief periods and may be alternated with other forms of treatment.

Additionally, Mayo Clinic offers tips on psoriasis self-care. For more information, visit MayoClinic.com.

The tamanu nut has been treating skin conditions for centuries and now with more modern research has proven to treat acne, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. Read Natural News.com’s story on “An Exotic Nut Oil That Heals the Skin When Applied Topically” to learn more.

A readily available mineral, aloe vera can be used both topically and taken internally to achieve surprising results. Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial making it so versatile that any individual with healthy or unhealthy skin can benefit from it.

Taken directly from the aloe vera plant the mineral is 96 percent water with the remaining four percent made up of minerals, essential oils, enzymes, and amino acids, among other things. Apply aloe directly to your skin to achieve the following results:

Disinfect scrapes and cuts Relieve abrasion pain Alleviate sting from any burn, including a sunburn To hydrate and soften the skin Condition your hair Accelerate cell growth Fungal condition treatment

To keep your skin hydrated longer during the day, apply a layer of aloe before you moisturize. In fact, aloe is so hydrating that psoriasis suffers apply aloe to remedy scaly, dry skin. Although it can sting even the most sensitive skin, some sufferers of eczema find aloe vera gentle enough to use on their skin as well.

The purest form of aloe is most beneficial, but there are many skin products like cosmetics and moisturizers that contain a small percentage of aloe such as Kneipp Bath and Shower Gel Aloe Vera. Bottled aloe vera is available at a reasonable price, but aloe plants themselves can also be inexpensive.

It’s not just your skin that aloe vera is good for. One in 100 people suffer from mouth ulcers and a recent study proved that aloe healed them. Aloe vera, additionally, can be consumed in the form of juice to treat colds, nerves, hypertension, and especially digestive problems like gas, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcers. Consuming aloe for more than two weeks at a time will deplete potassium levels.