Psoriasis is a persistent skin condition characterized by redness, scaliness, and itchiness, often accompanied by silvery scales. Sometimes, you can also see pitting of nails in psoriasis.
Psoriasis can cause changes in the appearance of your nails, such as the development of pits. The pits are usually very small, less than 1 mm in diameter, around the size of a pinhead. However, on rare occasions, considerably larger depressions and even isolated punch-out portions are visible.
If you have psoriasis and you notice nail pitting with/without pain/brownish discolouration/nail separating from the nail bed, chances are, the psoriasis has now progressed from the skin to the nails. This is usually the second stage of psoriasis. It may affect the joints if not controlled immediately, leading to psoriatic arthritis!
Is there any treatment for psoriasis?
Ayurvedic medication can alleviate your symptoms since psoriasis is a chronic ailment with limited treatment options. According to a few studies, people with psoriasis may benefit from Ayurvedic treatment.
Ayurvedically, psoriasis affects the blood, muscles, lymph, and the skin. The primary line of treatment is improving the digestive fire (Agni), administering herbs suited to the patient to open up the channels, and doing cleanses like Virechana to purify the body.
Things you must avoid if you have psoriasis
According to Ayurvedic experts, the cause of psoriasis is an imbalance of Vata and Kapha Doshas. Toxins (Ama), stress and overindulgence in foods such as seafood, yoghurt, and salty meals.
Therefore, if you have psoriasis, reduce the following as much as possible:
- Excessive consumption of tomatoes
- Heavy foods like milk, wheat and oily foods
- Mixing hot and cold foods
- Raw and uncooked foods
- Curd/yoghurt
- Eating food when the previous meal is not fully digested.
If you are noticing pitting of nails in psoriasis, consult an Ayurvedic doctor immediately. With Ayurveda, you can heal completely, without even consuming strong medications.