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Psoriasis - alternative to steroid creams
Can you suggest something for psoriasis? I was using steroid creams which sometimes worked until I fell pregnant last year. I am still breastfeeding and so need an alternative. At the moment, I am using baby oil but my scalp, forehead, abdomen and left shin are badly affected.
There is good evidence that taking fish oils really can help manage psoriasis. In a two-month trial where patients suffering from chronic psoriasis took the equivalent of 1.8mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); which is one of the active agents in fish oil, reported significant improvement in both scaling and itching although not in the size of the psoriasis patches. (In recent independent testing of levels of pollutants, Seven Seas’ cod liver oil, which is widely on sale, out-ranked other brands as being the least polluted brand.)
For a topical cream to replace the steroids you cannot now use, try aloe vera. In trials where 60 patients with mild to moderate symptoms were using either aloe vera or a placebo cream, the aloe treament produced not only a better improvement in symptoms but one that lasted for almost a year once the treatment stopped. Use Natural Life’s new organic aloe vera gel which costs £3.99 for 50ml. Mail order on 01932-221354.
Once you stop breastfeeding, you would also benefit from taking a good liver cleansing agent such as milk thistle which becomes even more potent when bound to a compound called phosphatidylcholine - a key component of cell membranes which appears to help the body better absorb the silymarin which is the active agent in this herb. If you cannot find this in your local healthstore, mail order Maximum Milk Thistle from the Nutricentre (0800-587 2290) where 90 capsules cost £39.95 and take as directed on the packet.