Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition characterized by patches of red, inflamed skin with silvery scales. It affects millions of people worldwide, causing discomfort, pain, and emotional distress.
Psoriasis in Chinese is 白疕 (Bai Bi), also known as 牛皮癣 (Niu Pi Xian) or 银屑病 (Yin Xie Bing).
What Causes Psoriasis? Common Triggers and Risk Factors
Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin condition that causes skin cells to build up more quickly than normal, resulting in thick, scaly patches. It can affect different areas of the body, including the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.
Although the exact cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, genetics and immune-system activity play important roles. Certain factors, such as stress, infections, skin injuries, and some medications, may trigger symptoms or worsen existing psoriasis. Identifying and managing individual triggers can be an important part of long-term psoriasis care.
1. Immune System Activity and Genetics Dysfunction:
Psoriasis develops when the immune system becomes overactive, leading to inflammation and faster-than-normal skin cell production. Genetics also play an important role, and people with a family history of psoriasis may have a higher risk of developing the condition. However, psoriasis can also occur in people without a family history.
2. Environmental Triggers:
Several environmental and lifestyle factors may trigger psoriasis flare-ups or make existing symptoms worse. Common triggers include:
- Stress: Emotional or physical stress may contribute to flare-ups.
- Infections: Certain infections, particularly strep throat, can trigger some forms of psoriasis.
- Skin injuries: Cuts, scratches, sunburns, and other skin injuries may cause new psoriasis patches to develop.
- Medications: Certain medications can trigger or worsen psoriasis in some people.
- Smoking and alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are associated with more severe psoriasis symptoms.
Triggers vary from person to person. Recognizing individual triggers and working with a healthcare professional can help patients manage their condition more effectively.
3.Hormonal Changes:
Hormonal changes may influence psoriasis symptoms in some individuals. Changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can sometimes affect the frequency or severity of flare-ups. However, these effects vary from person to person, and hormonal changes do not necessarily worsen psoriasis for everyone.
Types of Psoriasis:
- Blood Heat (血热证) : skin lesions that are red in colour, often in dot-like pattern, dry lips and throat, constipation
- Blood dryness (血虚风燥证) : skin lesions that are pale red in colour, often in a patchy pattern, skin lesions are dry and will crack and bleed
- Blood stasis (血瘀证) : skin lesions that are dark red in colour, often thick
- Dampness (湿毒蕴积证) : skin lesions that are red in colour, often wet, found usually in areas of the body where there are folds; joints feel sore and swollen, and heaviness in the lower limbs
How TCM can help?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used for centuries to support overall health and address a variety of skin-related concerns. In TCM, psoriasis is evaluated based on each patient’s individual symptoms and patterns of imbalance.
Acupuncture may be used as a complementary therapy to help manage stress, promote relaxation, and support overall well-being. Because stress can trigger psoriasis flare-ups in some individuals, stress management may be a helpful part of a comprehensive care plan.
Chinese herbal medicine is another component of TCM. Herbal formulas are traditionally selected based on an individual’s symptoms and overall health. Although some preliminary studies have investigated acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapies for psoriasis, more high-quality research is needed to establish their effectiveness and safety.
At Acupuncture Herbal Wellness Center in Louisville, KY, we provide individualized acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine services. Our treatments may complement conventional dermatological care, but they are not a replacement for prescribed psoriasis treatments.
1.Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body. It is commonly used to support relaxation, manage stress, and address certain types of discomfort.
For individuals living with psoriasis, acupuncture may be considered as part of a complementary wellness plan, particularly when stress contributes to flare-ups. Although preliminary research has explored acupuncture for psoriasis, there is currently insufficient high-quality evidence to confirm that it reliably reduces psoriasis lesions or controls the underlying condition.
Acupuncture should be used alongside, rather than instead of, appropriate dermatological care.
2.Herbal Medicine:
Chinese Herbal Medicine is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Herbal formulas are traditionally selected according to each individual’s symptoms, medical history, and overall health.
Some studies have explored the potential benefits of Chinese herbal medicine for psoriasis. However, research findings remain limited, and more high-quality studies are needed to determine which formulas are effective and safe.
Chinese herbal formulas may contain multiple ingredients and can interact with prescription medications or cause side effects. For this reason, herbal treatment should be guided by a qualified practitioner who considers the patient’s medical history and current medications.
At Acupuncture Herbal Wellness Center in Louisville, KY, we offer individualized Chinese herbal consultations as part of our traditional Chinese medicine services. Herbal medicine may be considered as a complementary approach, but it should not replace treatment recommended by a dermatologist.
Living With Psoriasis: A Personalized Approach to Wellness
Living with psoriasis can be challenging, especially when flare-ups affect your comfort, confidence, and daily activities. Although there is no cure for psoriasis, appropriate medical care and lifestyle adjustments can help many people manage their symptoms.
At Acupuncture Herbal Wellness Center in Louisville, KY, we understand that every patient’s health needs are different. Our acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine services focus on individualized care, stress management, and overall well-being.
If you’re living with psoriasis and are interested in exploring complementary wellness options, we’re here to help you understand how acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine may fit into your existing healthcare plan.
Contact Acupuncture Herbal Wellness Center today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our services.