Useful Guidelines for Psoriasis Care and Treatment

This information runs to several pages. The information on this page was contributed by Barbara J. Hickey, acting as the local chapter of the Canadian Psoriasis Association with many thanks. Their Address is: CPF 1306 Wellington St., Suite 500A Ottawa, Ontario KIY 3B2 Canada

Acceptable Diet	Non Acceptable Diet
What to Do	What NOT to Do

ACCEPTABLE DIET:

SPICES AND CONDIMENTS:rosemary, oregano, thyme, marjoram, laurel, ginger, basil, red peppers, cardamon,saffron, capers, onions, garlic, parsley, chives, tomato pulp, fruit vinegars, homemade mayonnaise.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: cider, fruit wine, beer, whiskey, gin, rum, vodka, fruit brandies

NUT, OILS, SHORTENINGS: almonds, coconut, pistachios, cashews, sunflower oil, olive oil, corn oil, soybean oil, butter, sunflower margarine, coco butter.

FOODS, fruits than contain grapes and grape juices, fresh vegetables, fish pastes, fish, bread, yogurt, butter and almond cakes, coconut based products. almond nougat.

CITRUS FRUITS: fruit pulps, fresh juices

NOT ACCEPTABLE DIET:

SPICES AND CONDIMENTS: pepper, cloves, cumin, anise, cinnamon,paprika, mustard, pimento, nutmeg, commercial mayonnaise, ketchup, tabasco sauce, bouillon cubes and gravies, wine vinegar, herb vinegar, candied orange, lemon peel, curry, commercial condiments, pastry aromas, worchestershire sauce.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: all red and white wines, sparkling wines, champagnes, brandy, cognac, sherry, cinzano, vermouth, port, samos, all egg and nut based liqueurs, grand marnier, Cointreau.

NUTS: hazelnuts, walnuts, walnut pastry aroma,

PEANUTS, peanut oil, peanut butter.

FOOD: prepared meats, sausages, pre-spiced meats, most cold cuts and pates. spice cakes, pickles, pickled spices and peppers, nut-based pastries, chocolate-based products.

CITRUS FRUITS: fruit peels, orange marmalade,prepared juices, grapefruit, limes, lemon, lemonade, bitter lemons.

DO'S

1. Do keep a positive attitude towards your condition. It will clear up, you just have to find the treatment that's best for you. Remember your Psoriasis is uniquely your own and what works for some might not work for others. If you work with your Doctor it may take time but together you will find a treatment out there that is good for you alone.

2. Do remember that there are many remedies advertised in newspapers, pamphlets, word of mouth and door to door, but unless they can give you absolute proof that this is a "cure" don't touch it as it can make your psoriasis worse. ALWAYS consult your dermatologist before starting a "cure" let him monitor it for you. Sometimes those cures work for some people but sometime they do not.

3. Do avoid stress as much as possible, both mental or physical.

4. Do find out all you can about your condition from a. your physician, b. your dermatologist, c. the library, d. a Psoriasis Foundation.

5. Do remember that Psoriasis is not a disease. You cannot catch it nor can you give it. It is a hereditary genetic skin condition.

6. Do learn how to properly apply your external medications.

7. Do talk about your condition to relatives and friends. Let them know that you have it (in a general way). Show visible areas to friends and tell them about it. The more people who know about it, the more acceptable it will become.

8. Do wear cottons next to your skin as much as possible, it is a natural fibre and can absorb sweat, secretions and greasy lotions. Loose clothing is advisable when your psoriasis is in its most painful cycle.

9. Do be kind to yourself, forget pity, wallowing in it is a waste of time, accomplishes nothing and you still have Psoriasis. Get a hobby, go to a movie, take a walk, get yourself breakfast in bed or better still, get someone else to do it for you.

10. Do remember you are not alone. There are more than 8 eight million Psoriasis sufferers in North America alone!! All you have to do is make a friend of one or two and you can chat all day.

11. Do remember that Psoriasis isn't an allergy, but if you do have allergies, care must be taken as an attach can affect your Psoriasis.

12. Do remember that the more people understand about Psoriasis the more they will accept it.

13. Do remember that although there is no positive proof that diet affects Psoriasis, the Swiss Psoriasis Foundation has printed a list of food that is acceptable and non acceptable which is included above for your information.

14. Do you know that there are drugs that can worsen Psoriasis? I am reprinting this article from the American National Psoriasis Foundation, December 1988. Drugs that can worsen Psoriasis. TETRACYCLINES, CAPTOPRIL, CHLORTHALIDONE, GEMFIBROZIL Some people's Psoriasis may worsen after taking tetracyclines. A Bulgarian study of 113 patients who were treated with tetracyclines showed that 10 experienced marked worsening of their Psoriasis while taking them and in five patients Psoriasis was precipitated after the administration of tetracycline therapy. The authors of the study suggested that tetracyclines be avoided in patients with Psoriasis and in healthy persons with a genetic predisposition for the disorder(i.e. positive family history). Other recently published medical articles report observations of worsening Psoriasis in patients who took captopril, a blood pressure medication. Also, there were reports of a worsening of Psoriasis following the use of chlorthalidone, a antihyporlipidemic agent. Other medications that are known to have the potential to worsen Psoriasis are beta-blocking agents (blood pressure medications) lithium (to treat manic depression) indomethacin (a non-storoidal, anti-flammatory medication commonly used in arthritis, and anti-malarials.

15. Do try to bathe daily, in a tub for 20 minutes in water that is not too hot but as cool as you can tolerate comfortably. This helps to descale and moisturize your skin. Water is the only way to hydrate your skin. The trick is to seal the moisture in. Within three minutes of patting yourself dry apply your oil or vaseline to seal the moisture in. If possible, apply them while you are still wet, its a bit tricky but can be done.

16. Do use a mild soap, not one with detergent or deodorants or too much alkaline. DOVE, CARESS, NEUTROGENA, pure and natural aloes and lanolins are good also.

17. When washing your hair use a shampoo mild enough to use daily and don't rub your head to dry it, instead pat it dry.

18. Do apply moisturizing creams all over liberally. Do use sunscreens in the summer, Sunlight can be beneficial but sunburn can be devastating. Use caution when exposing yourself to the sun as some medications can make your skin photosensitive. Consult your dermotologist before prolonged exposure to the suns rays.

19. Do you know that October has been declared as Psoriasis awareness month. This was declared on a national basis for the whole of Canada.

20. Do you know that STREP THROAT can cause an outbreak of Psoriasis, consult your doctor immediately when you feel the onset of a sore throat.

21. Do reduce the effects of tar products staining your clothing by letting the product air dry before putting on your clothes.

22. Tar products can have a drying effect on the skin so apply some kind of emollient to the skin like vaseline, or lotions such as KERI, on top of the tar product after it dries.

DONT'S

1. Do not despair or let yourself get down in the dumps about your condition. This can make it worse and often does.

2. Do not be ashamed or try to hide your condition because you feel its "ugly" it isn't and you aren't.

3. Do not be afraid to put on a swim suit or shorts. If you tell your friends about it they will like you for who you are, not what you look like.

4. Do not rub creams or lotions on your skin. Apply them with soft slow strokes in the direction that your hair grows.

5. Do not wear nylon, polyester, synthetics next to your skin, it prevents the skin from breathing and does not absorb sweat, lotions or secretions.

6. Do not swim in heavily chlorinated pools, as this can irritate your Psoriasis.

7. Do not let your skin become dry in the winter, since this could make your Psoriasis worse, and often does. A home humidifier can help. Keeping the skin moist during this time helps a great deal.

8. Do not let your skin become scratched or injured in any way even a mosquito bite can cause a flare up. When you have an itch you tend to scratch. DON'T SCRATCH

9. Do not expose your skin to harsh chemicals, wear rubber gloves. Harsh chemicals include dish detergents. Always wear cotton gloves under the rubber glove and only leave them on for twenty minutes at a time.

10. Do not forget Psoriasis is a genetically transmitted illness. In other words, if your grandmother had it, then for sure someone else in your family, either has it or will have it. It will benefit you in the long run to find out as much information as possible about your condition.

11. Do not wash your clothes in heavy detergents, such as TIDE, unless your use very little. read the instructions on soap containers carefully, and use less soap than called for. Best to use Ivory snow, rinse twice and in second rinse put one half cup of vinegar. If possible hang clothes outside to dry. Again harsh chemicals and detergents can worsen and irritate Psoriasis, such as bleaches, heavy chlorination and fabric softeners!!

These do's and dont's won't cure your Psoriasis, but will help you to cope with it. They do help and can be of assistance to you in your fight with this skin condition.

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