For many of us, psoriasis is a word that we can seldom spell, and are even less likely to be able to pronounce, however psoriasis is estimated to affect as many as 8 million people in the US alone, with over 120 million people estimated to suffer from it worldwide.
In this blog, we are going to take you through everything you need to know about psoriasis, and, if you suffer from this chronic autoimmune condition, we will give you some tips on how to manage it too.
 "My husband has psoriasis and he doesn't itch anymore since using the Purity soap for almost 4 weeks." - Diane L. |
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin condition that is characterized by patches of thick, red, scaly skin. These patches often appear on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but they can appear almost anywhere on the body.
The thick silvery white patches caused by skin cells growing too quickly can be itchy and painful, and while not contagious in any way can impact a person’s quality of life and self-confidence.
"The Castile soap, which my husband orders for me, has cleared up my psoriasis. Nothing else has ever helped." - Karol |
How Do You Get Psoriasis?
The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it is believed to be related to an overactive immune system. In people with psoriasis, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, causing them to grow too quickly. This rapid cell growth results in the thick scaly patches that epitomize psoriasis.
Can Psoriasis be Cured?
Currently, there is no known cure for psoriasis. However, many treatments can help manage the symptoms of psoriasis and improve the quality of life for people with the condition.
"It's great stuff!! My husband had psoriasis on his neck and around his ear. We only ordered the Unscented Shampoo soap one time, and he started using it. Now he only has just a very small spot left!" - Laurie J. |
The best treatment option will invariably differ from person to person, depending on the severity of the psoriasis and the individual's diet, routine and preference.
What Causes Psoriasis Flare-ups?
While a lot of the science around psoriasis is still being explored, there are some known factors that can trigger psoriasis flare-ups. Some of these include:
- Stress: Studies show that emotional stress can exacerbate psoriasis symptoms. The exact reason why is largely unknown, but it is believed to be linked to the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, which controls the body’s reaction to stress and the stress hormone cortisol.
- Injuries: Cuts, scrapes and burns can all trigger psoriasis flare-ups at the site of the injury. Trauma to your skin can bring about a flare-up often referred to as Koebner’s phenomenon. Sufferers of psoriasis are also believed to be more susceptible to skin infections where skin is broken.
- Medications: Certain medications, including beta-blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and lithium can sometimes trigger an exacerbation of psoriasis. This is, in part, believed to be because beta-blockers increase phosphorylation in T cells, which has relevance to intracellular levels of calcium.
- Weather: Cold and/or dry weather can worsen psoriasis symptoms because the cold and dry climate extracts moisture from the skin, which is already at a premium for people with psoriasis.
 "This Laundry Soap literally gets everything out. Especially if it’s organic in nature. There is no odor to it and my husband's psoriasis on his legs has cleared up. It leaves the sheets and towels soft." - Gay G. |
What is the Difference between Hyperpigmentation and Psoriasis?
While hyperpigmentation, like psoriasis, is a condition that impacts the skin, its appearance and causes are rather different.
Hyperpigmentation is characterized by patches of dark skin and is often caused by excessive melanin production. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is commonly associated with silvery white skin patches caused by an autoimmune response.
How Can You Manage Psoriasis?
Psoriasis, while not contagious, is a degenerative condition that if left untreated, will worsen over time. Some of the best ways to manage psoriasis include:
- Topical Medications: Creams and ointments can help to reduce the inflammation associated with psoriasis.
- Light Therapy: Exposure to ultraviolet light (UV light) can help slow down the growth of skin cells.
- Lifestyle changes: Stress management techniques, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can help to reduce psoriasis symptoms.
"OMG I wanted to let you know that we got our Tea Tree soaps and my son and I have both tried them. My son has a severe outbreak of plaque psoriasis this winter - he only used it twice and his skin is already calming down.... It's amazing!!! And I do have some psoriasis here and there and I've used the soap and it's already disappearing." - Deborah M. |
How Can Goat Milk Soap help Psoriasis Symptoms?
Goat milk soap is one of the best topical methods to help you manage the symptoms of psoriasis. This is because it holds the key benefits for the body, and more accurately the skin, that are needed to ease the impacts of this skin condition.
"Loving the Tea Tree Luffa. I have plaque psoriasis and have been using the Tea Tree soap (which I love too) and decided to step it up a notch with the luffa. It works wonders on the scales." - Catherine E. |
- Moisturizing Properties: Goat milk is naturally rich in fats and proteins such as agglutinins that can help hydrate and soothe dry, irritated and psoriasis-impacted skin.
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Studies suggest that goat milk may have anti-inflammatory properties, which could help reduce the redness, swelling and itching associated with psoriasis.
- Lactic Acid: Goat milk contains lactic acid, a mild alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that can help to exfoliate the skin and remove dead cells. Studies suggest that AHAs, like lactic acid, can reduce the appearance of the silvery scales that appear on psoriasis-impacted skin.
 "Nothing was working for my psoriasis, and just after using the Unscented lotion and the Purity soap for 2 days, my skin isn't nearly as itchy!" - Colette J. |
Whether you have suffered from psoriasis for a long time, or developed it very recently, it is important that you work with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan to help you manage your psoriasis. But goat milk soap is a well-researched support to healthy skin and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Many of our customers have provided us with excellent feedback about how our goat milk soaps helped their psoriasis-impacted skin. If you try it, please let us know how it works for you!