
Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disease which is quite hard to contain. Individuals affected by psoriasis, therefore, can be recommended to try natural remedies like apple cider vinegar that may offer relief, without the side effects caused by allopathic medication.
Using apple cider vinegar to treat psoriasis may not be suitable to all. Please consult your physician before you make use of the same.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is characterized by patchy, dry skin that feels itchy. These patches of dry, flaky skin may appear on certain parts of the body, or all over. Research tells us that psoriasis is triggered by an overreaction of the immune system, causing an inflammation of the skin.
Dry patches usually appear on the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet, or lower back, and are therefore distressing and embarrassing to the individual suffering from it. Dry climate, infections, stress, and smoking are known to aggravate psoriasis.
Symptoms of psoriasis keep fluctuating, and mild cases can be treated by amply moisturizing the affected areas. In some instances, however, psoriasis may be persistent, with the treatment being continued for a lifetime.
Can Natural Remedies Prove Effective?
In chronic psoriasis, patients welcome natural remedies as opposed to allopathic medication, with a view to avoid the side effects. Apple cider vinegar has been traditionally used to alleviate the symptoms of certain skin inflammations, owing to its properties as a disinfectant. Those suffering from psoriasis have also made use of apple cider vinegar to bring relief from the itchiness associated with inflamed skin.
Being a natural remedy, one needs to keep in mind that it may not suit every user. Also, definitive studies have not been conducted to prove the efficacy of apple cider vinegar as a useful cure for psoriasis. However, there have been several instances of patients witnessing a decline in the severity of the symptoms after consistent use of apple cider vinegar.
It is advisable to consult your physician before making use of apple cider vinegar to treat symptoms of psoriasis.
Using Apple Cider Vinegar for Psoriasis
To use it as a compress
You will need…
1 dishcloth
1 part apple cider vinegar
3 parts warm water
Mix the vinegar and the warm water in a bowl. Dip the dishcloth in it and apply it as a compress on affected areas. Repeat the process 2 – 3 times a day to relieve itchiness. You may experience a stinging sensation if this compress is applied on to raw and tender skin, owing to the acidic nature of apple cider vinegar, but it is effective in reducing the itching nevertheless.
To use it as a soak
You will need…
2 cups of vinegar to be added to a bathtub filled with warm water
You need to soak in this bath for half an hour. The soak needs to be followed by a shower to rinse off any residual odor of vinegar. This method is effective for those who suffer from inflammation all over the body.
To use it as a moisturizer
You will need…
2 – 3 drops of vinegar
30 ml scent-free moisturizer
Mix the apple cider vinegar with the moisturizer and apply it over the affected areas. Ensure that you keep the ratio of the mixture constant, as excessive vinegar can end up drying your skin even more, thus aggravating the symptoms.
To use it as a soak for nails
You will need…
1 tsp vinegar
1 small bowl of warm water
Add the vinegar to the bowl of warm water to make a soak for nails affected by psoriasis. Make a fresh solution everyday and soak your fingertips and toes into this mixture for five minutes.
To use it as a drink
You will need…
1 tsp vinegar
1 glass of water
Add a teaspoon of vinegar to a glass of water, and consume 3 glasses of this mixture a day, before every meal. If it seems unpalatable, you can add a teaspoon of honey to the mixture. This diluted solution is harmless, but as a precaution, do remember to rinse your mouth after consumption as the acidic nature of vinegar can damage tooth enamel.
Being a natural remedy, the effects of apple cider vinegar will take around 2 weeks to manifest. The biggest advantage of using it is that the treatment comes with minimal side effects. Having said that, it would always be better to commence any method of natural therapy only after having consulted a physician.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.