Psoriatic attacks can be stimulated by anxiety, illness, drugs, poison ivy or oak, skin damage (such as cuts, lacerations, surgery and sunburn), food allergies, nutrient deficiencies and several infections, bacterial or viral in origin. The true cause is unknown.

A good rule of thumb is that, if you itch today, then you ate something yesterday that your skin cannot tolerate.

• Eat a varied diet of whole foods. Keep a diary. This will help you discover which foods irritate your skin.
• Rotate foods, eliminating wheat and associated wheat products for several months.
• Add: garlic, onions, parsley, olive oil, ground up flaxseeds, olives, whole grain pastas as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Consume foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring or purhase a high quality (impurities removed) fish oil supplement.
• Orally each day on a rotating basis, take one tablespoon of a natural oil, such as olive and flaxseed (dark bottles).
• Increase intake of pure water.
• Citrus fruits may aggravate psoriasis in some individuals.
• Avoid all alcohol, nuts (except almonds), aromatic spices (mustard, pepper, curry, etc.)

Aromatherapy:

• Aromatherapy can be of some help. Beware of inexpensive therapeutic oils. They can sometimes do more harm than good especially when dealing with skin.

Hydrotherapy:

• During acute phases soak for 45 minutes (for profound relaxation effect) daily, in a neutral bath (body temperature) which half a pound or more of sea salt has been dissolved (pat dry).
• Topical Treatment: apply seawater to skin with cotton several times daily. Top that with pure aloe vera gel, fresh from the plant.

Juice therapy:

• Wolfberry, Apple and carrot, beet and carrot, blueberry. Remember no citrus.

Mind body therapy:

• Deep breathing exercises, meditation or any stress reduction techniques.

Let me know how it works for you.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and is not meant to diagnose or treat illness. The author, publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage suffered by individuals as a result of following advice in this article.

CJM LeBlanc Healthworks, 342 Main Street, Suite 121, Shediac, N.B. E4P 2E7, Tel: 506 533-8885, fax: 532-8644, e-mail: charlotteleb@rogers.com, web site: www.wellness-healthworks.com

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