We all know that long-term use of cortisone (steroids) can lead to osteoporosis, Cushing’s syndrome, obesity, diabetes, etc. But many people still treat their psoriasis by applying steroid ointments. Steroids ointments may bring some relief within the first weeks of treatment, but this is only on the surface. Using steroids for psoriasis treatments worsens the condition and leads to side effects like stretch marks, acne (pimples), thinning of the skin, and more. This article discusses why you should never use steroid creams or ointment for treating psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a common skin disorder affecting 2-3% of all adults in India. The word ‘psoriasis’ is derived from Greek, meaning ‘itching condition.’ Psoriasis causes redness and irritation on different parts of the body. The most common areas where psoriasis occurs include knees, elbows, lower back, and scalp. Stiffness felt in the joints is an important feature.
Psoriasis can affect people of any age, including children, but it appears more frequently in adults aged between 15-40 years. Generally, this skin disorder is not an inherited problem; however, if your parents or sibling has psoriasis, you are at high risk of developing this disease (if other factors like stress, etc., are present). Most often, psoriasis appears without any known reason (idiopathic) or due to an injury. There is no scientific evidence that psoriasis is contagious (that you can spread this disease to other people or that they can catch it from you).
Psoriasis causes redness, swelling, and irritation over the affected areas. The skin develops sores (often called plaques) raised above the surrounding skin level (this condition is called Psoriatic plaque).
These lesions may be very itchy, but scratching instead will worsen the condition by breaking down newly formed scales and making the lesion bleed. These lesions also often have a silvery-white appearance because of a protein called ‘psoriasin.’ You must consult a doctor if your Psoriasis affects your everyday life, such as interfering with your ability to walk or work.
There are various types of psoriasis: plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, etc. The most common type of psoriasis is called plaque psoriasis. The sores usually develop on the skin of the elbows, knees, lower spine, or scalp.
Steroid medicines (such as Prednisone) are used to treat psoriasis by lowering the immune system’s response, which is responsible for causing redness and irritation over the affected areas. Steroids can also help reduce inflammation that occurs due to this condition.
Doctors often prescribe steroids as a psoriasis treatment because they are fast-acting and relieve the symptoms within a week. In addition to this, you can also apply steroid ointments directly to the skin lesions (whereas for internal use of steroids, you need to take them with food).
Yes, long-term usage of steroids does lead to skin changes that are similar to psoriasis. These changes include redness, thinning of the skin, stretch marks, etc., which are common side effects of steroid treatment.
Prolonged use of steroids leads to many other problems like acne (pimples), thinning of the skin, increased risk for infections, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis (bone fragility), Cushing’s syndrome, obesity, etc., The most important complication is ‘Cushing’s Syndrome’ wherein you develop symptoms like high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels. This condition can also increase your risk of getting cardiovascular diseases in the future.
If you have been taking steroids for a long time, it is recommended to choose other options for your treatment. In addition, if your symptoms are not improving even after one month of using steroid creams or ointments, then it is wise to visit a dermatologist. If you give up using steroids too early without consulting a doctor, then the chances of relapse increase.
Though steroids seem like an effective way to control psoriasis, there are various reasons why you should avoid using these medications. These problems include:
1) Steroids have no role in treating the underlying cause of psoriasis. An infection or injury does not cause psoriasis, so steroids will never cure it
2) It’s difficult to stop using steroids once you start. Similarly, depending on the strength of steroid medicine used for treatment, your blood sugars might go up significantly (called ‘Hyperglycemia’), and you may even gain weight
3) Steroids can cause stretch marks and thinning skin
4) When used over a more extended period, these medicines can cause other health problems like osteoporosis (weakening of bones), hypertension (high blood pressure), physical and mental fatigue, and much more
5) The harmful effects of steroid tablets are prolonged, so if taken for a long time, they may also increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures, obesity, etc.
6) There are newer and better treatments available for psoriasis (as prescribed by your doctor); so you should not depend on steroids
7) Steroids can also cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, etc., which will reduce the intake of medicines required to treat psoriasis itself!
You can go for alternative treatment options, such as
PUVA therapy is the combination of Psoralen (a drug that helps light-sensitive skin) and ultraviolet radiation (UVA rays), which are given along with oral medications like methoxsalen. This treatment is also called ‘photochemotherapy.’
Biologics:Â Biologics are newer forms of medicines, which can help control psoriasis better than steroids. Though they may take time to show effect, you will be able to see your symptoms almost disappearing within days after starting on this medication regimen.
Phototherapy:Â Phototherapy involves exposing your body parts affected by psoriasis to sunlight or artificial lights. Ultraviolet B rays can help slow down the growth of cells that cause psoriasis on your skin surface, but you need to use sunscreens to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation.
Narrowband UVB phototherapy:Â This phototherapy is the most preferred treatment option for psoriasis as it requires short visits.
As seen, there are many reasons why you should avoid using steroids to treat your psoriasis. Instead of taking steroids, use PUVA therapy or narrowband UVB phototherapy to control your condition better. No matter what treatment you choose, make sure you start this therapy only after discussing it with your dermatologist.
It is always advisable to try natural remedies for psoriasis. Too many steroids can lead to skin problems like eczema and psoriasis, so it is best to avoid them. Though there are many medications available in the market, which contain herbal extracts (tried and tested by our ancestors) to treat psoriasis, make sure that you take only those medicines prescribed by your doctor. This will help protect you from side effects, as well as ensure quick healing of symptoms.
Don’t forget to take the advice of an expert before starting on any medication or treatment program. Here are some natural treatments you can consider for psoriasis:
Homeopathic medicines have more benefits than steroids and other drugs. These medicines contain natural ingredients that help improve immunity and reduce psoriatic flares on their own without any side effects.
You must consult the best homeopathic doctor who understands your condition well, performs a complete physical examination to understand your problem in detail before prescribing medicine for your treatment.
It is better to avoid harmful steroid-based ointments or injections as most of these are not prescribed by an experienced dermatologist, which may lead to post-injection effects.
The most effective way of avoiding all these is to use Homeopathy for treating Psoriasis. Visit our clinic with medical reports if possible. We have successfully treated many cases of Psoriasis with remitting results. Use homeopathic medicines under the guidance of an expert homeopathy doctor.
Arsenic album:Â Arsenic album is a great way to reduce itching and redness caused by psoriasis. The best thing about this remedy is that it also cures the underlying cause of psoriasis, which helps in getting rid of this disease.
Thuja occidentalis:Â This medicine is prescribed for people having thick and scaly skin patches. Also, it reduces scaling associated with psoriasis.
Sulphur:Â Sulphur works well in case you have red patches on your body covered with silvery scales. It can also cure thickened patches on your elbows and knees.
Sanicula Aqua:Â If you have psoriasis with frequent skin infections, then you must use this medicine. It is highly beneficial in case of itchiness and redness caused by psoriasis.
Calcarea carbonic:Â This is one of the most common remedies for psoriasis. Calcareacarbonica can be used in various forms like ointments, tablets, or homeopathic globules to cure your disease.
Kreosoteum:Â If you have thick red patches on your body that do not heal even after applying any ointment, try using creosote. The best part about this medicine is that it gets rid of the underlying cause of psoriasis without causing any side effects.
There are many more homeopathic medicines used for psoriasis treatment. You can book an appointment through OHO Homeopathy and take proper homeopathic remedies from the best-experienced homeopathy doctor.
In addition to this, you can also use some essential tips for avoiding psoriasis flare-ups. They are:
Book an appointment now through OHO Homeopathy for more details!
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