Thursday, November 3, 2011

Ever think of making your own soap for psoriasis?

To answer the question myself, yes, I've been thinking about it for sometime, but of course kept putting it off.  Like myself you can find these things by reading, searching, and reading more. What I'm about to post I found on Livestrong.com, by Ana Cassis.

Ingredients

10 Drops - Tea Tree Oil
35 Drops - Lavender Oil
1/2 cup -   Aloe Vera Gel
2 tsp. - Root of Oregon Grap
2 tsp. - Comfrey Root
3 oz -        Liquid Castile Soap
Root of oregon grape (called Mahonia Aquifolum) it has anti inflammatory and antiseptic.

Items Needed
A 1 quart mason jar w/lid
Cheese Cloth
Boiling water
 
Preperation
Add herbs to quart mason jar
add boiling water
close jar tightly and let herbs steep for 4 to 8 hours overnight to make herbal infusion strong.
Strain out plant material using cheesecloth.
Mix (1) cup of herbal infusion with liquid Castile soap and Aloe Vera Gel. (aloe has naturally 4.3 PH which helps treat skin disorders as well as protect from the sun).
Pour mixture into a squeeze bottle and add tea tree oil and lavender essential oils.
Cap squeeze bottle and shake it well in order to mix ingredients with the soap.
Store some of your soap in the refrigerator if you don't plan to use it for 3 to 4 weeks.
*****SHAKE SOAP BEFORE EACH USE*****

I'll be making my soap this weekend. I've noticed since the weather has begun to change I'm experiencing itching and more skin growth. I've also started taking my vitamin supplements everyday again. I'd decided during the summer to take them every other day or every 2 day's, that's how much my skin had cleared up.

I'll be looking for more things to pass along to you which will include treatment for your scalp as well.

Good Luck and see you again soon.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Remember having Psoriasis skin is sensitive skin.....

Your skin is extremely sensitive when dealing with Psoriasis. I'm sure you already know this as I do but I took a trip to the grocery store w/out the glasses, lol, bad, bad mistake. Just because it's green doesn't mean it's the anti bacterial dish washing liquid. So be careful, be very careful, because when you are wondering why your hands are itching to the point your ready to rip the skin off and your trying to wonder why, then you go to wash your hands with that very soap, realize the smell, you take a good look at it realizing you've made a terrible error. Right, it's the original scented dish washing liquid.

So be very careful and make sure you have on those blasted glasses next time you go to the store.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Psoriasis and the Sun

The sun, you may have heard or have already encountered the UV treatments for Psoriasis. In these economic times I asked myself Why buy a machine, go into the office for treatment when there's a perfectly good sun in the sky? Non what so ever, therefore here is my suggestion and what I've done, yep I went outside and just sat in the sun for about 15 minutes in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Some of you may have those high privacy fences and can go out into the backyard and bare all to the sun, especially if you have it as I do all over your body. Swim Suits come in handy for this specific treatment. What to do for the colder day's? then you may want to try the purchase of UV machines or go into the office. I myself as many others may not have the means to do so, but we do what we can.

Again I suggest no longer than 15 minutes you don't want sun burn on top of everything else.

Take care until next time and Good Luck

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

PSORIASIS AND YOUR SCALP

Scalp Care

First let me say that my scalp is covered totally by psoriasis therefore I may have mentioned I've shaved my head. I already had the wigs since the psoriasis stopped my hair from growing, not to mention the fact that when I washed my hair it would come out in clumps.You scalp must stay moisturized and oiled to prevent unsightly flakes on clothing and uncontrollable itching.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
After washing your hair using your choice of shampoo I suggest you do a Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse. Perhaps you've heard this or read it somewhere but haven't gotten around to trying it. As with everything else I tell you to research before trying and only do if you feel comfortable after doing research.

Tools
Measuring Cup

Ingredients
Apple Cider Vinegar

Fill cup (measuring) up to 0.5 of apple cider vinegar and rest with water. Poor over your head and message into scalp. I let it sit to the count of 50, rinse with cool water then apply solution again. Again message into scalp, let sit for a count of 50, then a final rinse with cool water.

I do this every other day for 2 weeks, then break for a week or so then start over.


Continued Scalp Care
Mixed into Hair Grease
Hair Grease I use (Blue Magic Coconut oil hair conditioner)

1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
3 drops of African honey
5 drops of Tea Tree Oil
5 drops of Patchouli Oil
Mix it together and your good to go.I use this mixture at least 3 to 4 times a day

Oils Used Alone
Tea Tree Oil, Vitamin E oil, Patchouli Oil, Virgin Olive Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, Unrefined melted Shea Butter or Shea Butter Oil.

I use the Vitamin E Oil or Tea Tree Oil alone the most.

Hot Oil Treatment
I use (African Roy ale) Hot Six, this is a really great oil it can be used for scalp, body, nails, hair or bath.

Rub into palm of hand if you don't have a lot of hair, okay, if hair is 3inches long or less this will work. If hair is longer you may want to part your hair and squeeze oil onto your scalp then message into scalp, wrap saran wrap around your hair then go do what ever you need to do for 5 to 10 minutes. I leave it in longer than the instructions on the bottle because I'm not dealing with normal dry scalp or normal dandruff. It's made from plant herbs and oils and the most important it contains several oils good for fighting psoriasis. Some may op to sit under a hair dryer, that's totally up to you. As most things only you can judge what's best for you.

I realize that some of you aren't comfortable using all these oils, but unfortunately it's one sure way of fighting this disease to get it to a manageable point.

As always I urge you to research everything before trying it.
Good Luck




Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Natural Psoriasis Care

Hello,

Are we ready? or should I say are you ready. Again I caution you, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!
This has worked for me and as I said before with Psoriasis from head to toe barely missing a spot on my body, then being laid off I needed something that worked and less expensive since no work means no health insurance.
I've decided to do the research for you, lol, don't get use to it this won't happen everytime, or it might who knows.
 Ingredients and what they are and their uses.

Tea Tree Oil: Has terpenoids, which have been found to have antiseptic and antifungal activity. People use tea tree oil for the following conditions: Acne, Athlete's foot and Dandruff 

Olive oil: On the scalp will help the scales to become plump, soft, and easier to remove. Once the scales are removed, the patcher are easier and more effectively treated with shampoos (medicated with tar). Also you can warm the Oil then wrap head with plastic wrap. I've used a mixture of olive, tea tree, Why? because the tea tree oil as mentioned above have antiseptic and antifungal activity. (All these can be found on internet)

Unrefined Shea Butter:  Apply (unrefined) shea butter rubbing a small amount in hands until its liquid and smooth, and apply it to your skin and scalp, it absorbs quickly into your skin and scalp. Shea butter is used for inflammation, eczema, shingles, acne, etc.

African Black Soap (West Africa): it's kind of dark brown, looks spotty. This is the 2nd one I've used, don't be fooled into thinking it's black because of the name. It's unrefined therefore no additives. I use it for body and hair. You will be amazed how the skin comes right off.

Apple Cider Vinegar:  psoriasis treatment can not be substituted with any type of vinegar, other than Apple Vinegar. Other vinegars are usually more acidic.Apple Cider Vinegar Psoriasis treatment usually takes at least 2 weeks to see the result. ACV is reported to make pH levels in our body more alkaline. This may explain the "magical" psoriasis healing, which some people experience when taking Apple Cider Vinegar internally. Yes internally, I use to take 2 tbls a day, since i've cleared up pretty well I've taken it to one. With the fall/winter season coming I've taken it back to 2. 


Bleach:  used in bath water, the fact is that ALL PEOPLE carry staphylococcus bacteria on their skin. With psoriasis (eczema/dermatitis), staphylococcus gets into the damaged skin lesions, we scratch our lesions, more bacteria get into the lesions, and our psoriasis gets worse and worse.Diluted bleach kills staph and thus can help you get rid of psoriasis or at least improve it. Like Apple Cider Vinegar use for 2 week period, then I switched to vinegar. I did this every other day. I read should soak for 15 minutes a day, instead I did it every other day. Also everything mentioned I used in bath water with vinegar and bleach. After a 2 week period of using bleach or vinegar I'd stop it for a week then start regimen again.

This is just helpful information for those who find the medication isn't doing much of anything but polluting your body.

Food

Broccoli (frozen or fresh) simply steamed it.
Cabbage
String Beans
Baked/Broiled Chicken, beef and pork.
Brown Rice and pasta's

Supplements:
Vitamin E (internal and external)
Vitamin D
Milk Thistle
Echinacea & Goldenseal Root Plus
Zinc (every other day)

All this information you can find on the on the internet, just thought I'd try to cut down some of your resarch time. I'm sure you'll look it up anyway, I know I would. Oh before I forget, has anyone ever told you that psoriasis can be bought on by medication? Yes, I had to rethink things when I read that. I was about to have surgery on my shoulder and had been on several meds due to a fall. Weakend immune system is all it takes for this monsterous disease to enter our lives reaking havoc.

Good Luck.. Bless you all.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Psoriasis Soak - The Natural Way

Hello Everyone, I'm going to share with you what works for me in dealing with my severe psoriasis which covers me from head to toe.

Please remember research, research, research. I checked and double checked everything before deciding to use them. As you know those of you who've suffer this disease it's no cure and it's important you understand this doesn't work over night. THERE IS NO CURE............
the best I can ever do is try to manage it as best I can.

1. Soak only in luke warm water (skin is already irritated and use nothing which contains alcohol).
    Ingredients
Bleach and Vinger (use either or) 
  1. Bleach
  2. Apple Cider Vinger (only-this is only acetic acid you use)
  3. African Soap (unrefined only)
  4. Tea Tree Oil (essential oil)
  5. Patchulli Oil (essential oil)
  6. Rose Oil (essential oil)
  7. Camomile Oil (essential oil)
  8. Shea Butter (unrefined only or Shea oil)
  9. Grapeseed Oil
  10. African Black Honey (not edible)
  11. Quaker oat's Oatmeal
  12. (1) knee high
  13. Powdered Milk
 Pour in powdered milk while water runs..you want the water to be milky this smooths skin.
1tbls (Bleach or Vineger)
1 medium size cube to wash body twice and hair.
5 drops of tea tree oil
5 drops of patchulli oil
5 drops of camomile oil
5 drops of rose
1 small piece of unrefined Shea butter (or Shea oil)
5 squirts of grapeseed oil
3 squirts of African black honey (not edible)it's very sticky so I mix it with lotion and oils before a soak. It works well with the black african soap to get the psoriasis layers a few off.
Open knee high and pour in Quaker Oats oatmeal...fill only to heel and let float in tub.

I soaked in this every other day for a year and a half. Currently I'm happy to say it's now only 3 times a day. With fall and winter fast approaching my skin can also tell the difference therefore 3 times a day for 30 minutes in hopes things don't get bad like they once were.

Daily Usage

I made lotions such as Nivea (w.sea salt or minerals)and Eucerin more beneficial for me.  Large bottle I add the following.

8 drops of Tea Tree Oil
8 drops of Patchulli oil
3 long squirts of melted Shea Butter (unrefined or Shea Oil)
3 long squirts of Grapeseed oil
5 drops of camomile oil
5 drops of rose oil

Camomile tea 3 to 4 times a day, this relaxes you as well as helps a little with the itching. Here's my favorite. 1 tbls of apple cider vinger orally twice a day. Vineger takes care of those nasty bacteria bugs along with bleach but you CAN'T very well drink bleach. I am now down to 1 table spoon of vineger, but before november I'll be back to 2 tbls spoons.


I use the vinger when washing as well, just enough to cover the bottom of measuring cup to first line.

Shake it all up and apply and/or I add all of this to a container and use 3 heaping tablespoons for Vaseline in, mix well to make it smooth then apply this way.

This is applied everyday anywhere from 3 to 5 times a day depending on clothing being worn. Clothing soaks up all of this which in turn dries out your skin, lol, as we know with psoriasis you don't need extra things drying out skin. Job hunting day's, well let's just say when I go out I make sure I hit several places that day. I realize this sounds messy but this is what I did, what I had to do.

When I write again I will tell you what supplements I'm taking along with this regiment. Yes there's more, there's always more. I share this in hopes that if it doesn't help several then perhaps it will help at least one.

All of the oil leaves a mess so might I suggest you do as I've done. Those old sheets you haven't gotten around to throwing away, good. They are now handy, how? When making beds just fold it over on your side which doubles it or sleep between it so your not messing up your comforter/bedspread, what have you. My husband understands and doesn't get offended and with this damn disease he knows I'm hiding the body anyway, yet still very understanding.

I'm going to thank my friends who helped me find alternate way's to work with this disease. If it weren't for the understanding people in my life the depression would of done me in a while ago. So please know I know what your going through or what you will go through or what you have gone through. This blog is for sharing experiences or just blowing off steam so feel free to do so there are no judgements here. We get depressed, irritated, uncomfortable, etc.

Supplements will be next they do help.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

BETTER! HOW DID I GET TO THIS POINT?

Finally skin is looking much better, plaques no longer meaning I've rid myself of the pain of having my skin touched. It's taken me an entire year and a half to get to this point with my skin by using all natural ingredients and soap. I will swear by African soap the real African soap I get from Coastal Scents along with unrefined shes butter, the black soap is unrefined as well, grapeseed oil, Shea oil, coconut oil, tea tree oil, patchouli oil, camomile oil, rose oil and more. My other ingredients are apple cider vinegar and bleach, yes bleach, sure now your wondering what am I thinking. I've researched everything 2, 3, 5 times on internet, research, research, research. This is most important and it's up to you of course to make the decision to take the chance and use these items.

My scalp, sure I cut my hair a few months ago when one-day while washing it came out in my hands. All I could do is cry, I got so depressed I laid in bed with head covered with only enough space for my face to show. I have wigs and I wear them, around the house I wear scarfs. Lots of hair oil to keep scalp dry, hot oil treatments, sighs. Three weeks ago I finally became brave, took the clippers and cut all my off leaving nothing but psoriasis looking back at me from my scalp. Coconut oil, unrefined shea butter and african unrefined black soap helps. I couldn't cut my hair to my scalp until I was ready. I've always known I'd have to do it but you can't do these things until your ready.

Feet are still covered in psoriasis, toes swell up and feet, psoiratic arthritis Hands back and front, well the backs look ok though blotches on skin but dark scaled palms. Still working on feet and hands but patience it seems is only thing that will help me get things better. I still try to keep most of my arms covered because they're blotchy.

I'm sure, no i'm hoping things continue improving though very uncertain with winter coming again, lol, things get worse in the cold as all of us psoriasis people know. So I'm holding my breath, no not literally but on some day's I wish I could when I look at all the blotches on my body. Look at my scalp, have to pay for something with my hands.  So I keep my head high and keep it covered with some of the best looking hair styles I can afford, Lol. All will get better and as long as I can come here and type out my thoughts I'm fine and I'm going to start leaving ingredients so others who happen to want to try any of these can. I just suggest you do research first before trying anything as I did. I got so desperate I had to try new things and I preferred natural due to all side affects you get from drugs. It's a long tough rode this route I choose to take but it's worked pretty much. But like I said I don't know how it will work during the winter but with it quickly coming upon us again I'll soon find out. Living in Illinois where winter's aren't kind most day's I'm sure it will be quite a challenge for me.

Good Luck,