Byline: Gary S Sy, MD

AS your skin is worn away, new cells are produced beneath the surface and replace it. In psoriasis, the normal rate of cell production is speeded up in some areas, and skin cells pile up faster than they can be shed. It is an autoimmune disease involving activation

Slightly raised, red-silvery, scaly patches occur commonly over the elbows, legs, and on the scalp. Less commonly, patches appear under the armpits and breasts, on the genitals, and around the anus. When psoriasis occurs on your hands and feet, it is usually in the form of raised areas with painful cracks or little blisters filled with white fluid. In some cases, your nails become thickened, pitted, and separated from the skin beneath.

Psoriasis tends to run in the families and is more common in men. It appears most commonly between the age of 10 and 30. An outbreak of psoriasis is often triggered by emotional stress, climate change, infections, dry skin, allergic contact dermatitis, food allergies, damage to the skin, a period of generally poor health, and some medications beta blockers (a type of medication frequently prescribed for heart disease and high blood pressure) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use for arthritic pains. In most cases, it does not affect general health. In older people and the very young, however, psoriasis may cause serious distress if the condition is severe and widespread, and if it is not treated.

What should be done?

Many people learn to live with mild forms of psoriasis. In time, you may become familiar with your particular form of the disorder, and you may be able to identify the factors that trigger an outbreak and learn to prevent it.

But if you have a severe case, or if it is causing you serious discomfort or distress, consult your physician.

What is the treatment?

Self-help:

* Maintain good general health: Balanced diet, adequate rest and exercise.

* Eat a diet that is composed of 50% raw foods and includes plenty of fruits, grains and vegetables.

* Get plenty of dietary fibers.

* Maintain a normal body weight. Psoriasis occurs often in skin creases or folds.

* Avoid scratching, rubbing, or picking at the patches of psoriasis.

* Bathe daily to soak off the scales. Avoid hot water or harsh soap.

* Keep your skin moist.

* Use soaps, shampoos, and ointments containing coal tar or salicylic acid.

* Expose your skin to moderate sunlight, but avoid sunburn.

Supplement recommendations:

* Beta-carotene: decreased intake has been associated with psoriasis. Take 5,000 I.U. twice daily.

* Use fish oil, flaxseed oil, or primrose oil supplements. They contain ingredients that interfere with the production and storage of arachidonic acid (AA), a natural substance that promotes inflammatory response and makes the lesions of psoriasis turn red and swell. Red meat and dairy products contain AA. Avoid these foods.

* Virgin Coconut Oil (Prosource) can be applied at affected areas. It helps in conditioning the skin and hair and provides moisture to dry skin. As a supplement, virgin coconut oil can be taken orally. Daily intake of 2 tablespoonfuls can help improve the immune system and increases resistances to infections.

* Zinc 50-100 mg: protein metabolism depends on zinc. Protein is needed for healing.

* Selenium 100 mcg; a powerful antioxidant.

* Vitamin B complex: 50 mg thrice a day. Necessary for all cellular functions, anti-stress vitamin that helps maintain healthy skin.

* Vitamin C: 2,000 to 10,000 mg daily. Important for the formation of collagen and skin tissue, and for enhancing immune system.

* Vitamin E: 400-1,200 I>U< daily. Neutralize free radicals that damage the skin.

Professional help:

If self-care remedies dont help, consult a physician. Your physician might recommend cortisone-type creams (steroid) or various forms of phototherapy. It involves a combination of medications and ultraviolet light. The choice of treatment depends on how severe your condition may be and also on how well your psoriasis responds to these various treatments.

Another treatment that may work for you is the anticancer drug methotrexate, which slows down cell division. Each of these treatments requires close supervision and monitoring by a dermatologist to minimize the risk of possible side effects.

Remember:

For most people who have it, psoriasis is a longterm condition, and there is no permanent cure. The condition usually reappears throughout a persons life with varying degrees of severity, although treatment is usually successful in clearing up any individual outbreaks that may occur.

(Dr. Gary S. Sy, M.D. is the Medical Director of Life Extension Medical Center located at The Garden Plaza Hotel (formerly Swiss Inn Hotel) 1370 General Luna St., Paco, Manila. He is a Diplomate in Gerontology and Geriatrics, advocates Diet-nutritional Therapy, and conducts free seminar every Friday about agerelated health problems. For more details please call telephone numbers: 400-42-05 or 522-48-35 local 315. E-mail address: lifeextension_drgarysy@yahoo.com. Please tune in at DZRH 666 khz "Operation Tulong" every Friday at 10 p.m. and DZMM 630 khz "Gabay sa Kalusugan on Radio" every Sunday at 11 a.m.-12 noon.)