Erythrodermic Psoriasis: Life Threatening but Treatable

Erythrodermic psoriasis is an extreme inflammatory type of psoriasis that may affect any area of the skin. It is not uncommon that this disease covers a major portion of the skin. It is possible that this disease is associated with anyone who has pustular psoriasis or plaque psoriasis, and may sometimes be complications of these illnesses, or, in some few instances, the first manifestation of psoriasis. The symptoms reflect a reddening and shedding of the skin, which accompanies very severe and painful itching. Even though this disease is rare, there are some who develop major complications with this disease.

Patients who are affected with this type of psoriasis are advised to see a doctor immediately. A physician can diagnose the disease just by looking at the affected area. One should not take this skin disease lightly. Erythrodermic psoriasis is serious, and it can cause a

Known triggers of erythodermic psoriasis include abrupt withdrawal of treatment with systemic steroids (Prednisone or Predisolone); an allergic, drug-induced rash that brings on the Koebner response (a tendency for psoriasis to appear on the site of skin injuries); and severe sunburn.

Other triggers are:

Severe cases of erythrodermic psoriasis require supportive care from a hospital, which may include intravenous fluids and the regulation of body temperature.

Initial treatment usually includes medium-potency topical steroids and moisturizers, combined with wet dressings, oatmeal baths and bed rest.

Antibiotics may also be used if skin is infected, or the skin disease has manifested due to infection somewhere else in the body. Careful attention is paid to restoring and maintaining fluids in the body.

In addition, methotrexate , Soriatane or cyclosporine are frequently required to bring severe cases under control.

Use of systemic steroids for erythrodermic psoriasis is controversial, and if used, they should be tapered off very slowly. Stopping them suddenly can trigger a flare of psoriasis.

Topical coal tar preparations and phototherapy are not recommended treatments of erythrodermic psoriasis in its earliest stage because these might just worsen the inflammation, but they may be used when the intitial redness has subsided.

At the onset of erythrodermic psoriasis , it may be best to use a medium potency steroid cream , moisturizers, cool wet dressing, resting in bed and an oatmeal bath to stop the itching.

Nutritional intake should be monitored carefully, and patient should have lots of rest and maintain body fluid.

Using herbal products and natural remedies will provide a milder way to treat erythrodermic psoriasis, but these should be used only after having consulted a dermatologist. Natural herbal remedies do help to alleviate most skin conditions, and this type of psoriasis is no exception. Especially homoeopathic and herbal remedies however should be used with great care, as they may create healing crises and thereby a worsening of the condition. This is highly undesirable. This skin condition may be life threatening, so trying herbal remedies for healing of this disease should be done only under medical supervision.

Among the natural treatments available, special blends of essential oils are considered very good. They may work wonders, and usually don't create healing crises.

Try using topical moisturizers that soothe the skin. Your best option will be Tamanu Oil. It has anti inflammatory and anti infectious action, as well as being a good moisturizer. It will soothe and greatly ameliorate the condition.

Another natural methods of treatment is herbal remedies.

What treatment you select will depend on how severe the skin condition is and how sensitive your skin is to different medications. If the disease has spread to cover large areas, the topical treatment may be impractical, as it will be difficult to cover the whole area. Herbal remedies and essential oils may then be useful and help to get the condition under control. This treatment may be very good on its own, or as a support for the doctors treatment. To use it without supervision for erythrodermic psoriasis may not be your first choice, as the condition may worsen initially.

Severe cases would call for all three strategies; tamanu oil providing topical, moisturizing, anti inflammatory treatment, and essential oils and herbal remedies representing the systemic treatment. Thus one may treate the disease both internally and externally with excellent, effective remedies.

The herbal medicine Skin Dr. is known to bring all psoriatic skin manifestations to silence for long periods. The same is true for essential oils.

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