It is very well understood about what happens to skin in psoriasis but it is very difficult to say why these changes develop. Although cold climate and some form of injury can aggravate the problem they cannot be labeled as the cause of disease. The precise cause of psoriasis continues to elude the medical fraternity. However, ongoing research in this field has improved our understanding of this disease to some extent. The recent discoveries point to an abnormality in the functioning of key white cells in the blood stream triggering inflammation in the skin. Because of the inflammation, the skin sheds too rapidly, every three to four days. In realism psoriasis stem from internal disharmony of the body (in terms of disturbed immunity and genetic predisposition) topped with some environmental triggers. Internal factors: 1. Defective immune system: Recent research indicates that psoriasis is likely to be a disorder of the immune system. This system includes a type of white blood cell, called a T cell, that normally helps protect the body against infection and disease. Scientists now think that, in psoriasis, an abnormal immune system causes activity by T cells in the skin. These T cells trigger the inflammation and excessive skin cell reproduction seen in people with psoriasis. 2. Genetics and heredity: In about one-third of the cases, psoriasis is inherited. Often, the person with psoriasis has a parent or grandparent who also has the condition. In terms of probability it has been estimated that a person with one affected parent has about a 10% chance of also being affected. Having two parents with psoriasis increases the chances to about 30%. Researchers are studying large families affected by psoriasis to identify a gene or genes that cause the disease. (Genes govern every bodily function and determine the inherited traits passed from parent to child.) External factors: People with psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, then improves. Conditions that may cause flare-ups include: 1. Climate: Studies indicate that cold weather may be a predisposing effect or trigger for psoriasis, in contradistinction to hot and sunny climate that appears to be beneficial. 2. Infections: Both dermatological and systemic infections have been known to trigger the onset of psoriasis or a worsening of psoriasis. Systemic infections that have been associated with triggering include viral upper respiratory disease, streptococcal pharyngitis ("strep throat"), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Staphylococcal skin infections (boils) have been a trigger. 3. Stress: Psychological stress is the cause as well as out come of disease like psoriasis. It is a well-known fact that there is inseparable bond between mind and body and psyche plays vital role in maintaining health or causing diseases. It is a common experience in practice of patient reporting the onset of psoriasis following major stress like divorce, death of close relatives, change of job, unhealthy family relationships etc and this perception of patients that psychological stress can worsen psoriasis has been supported in clinical studies. 4. Certain medicines: Certain medicines, most notably beta-blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure, and lithium or drugs used to treat depression, may trigger an outbreak or worsen the disease. The drugs may be listed as: lithium, antimalarials, mepacrine, NSAIDs, beta-blockers, alcohol.  5. Physical trauma: People often notice new spots 10 to 14 days after the skin is cut, scratched, rubbed, or severely sunburned. Analysis of patient records has indicated that up to 50 percent of persons with psoriasis have had a "Koebner’s phenomenon" experience—that is, have had a psoriatic lesion develop at the site of an injury or skin condition. A broad range of skin injuries and skin conditions have been linked with Koebner’s phenomenon: Skin Trauma: �?Acupuncture �?Bites, Cuts and scrapes �?Bruises, Burns �?Chemical irritation �?Pressure against the skin �?Shaving �?Sunburn and peeling �?Adhesive taping �?Tattoos �?Vaccinations Skin Conditions: �?Boils �?Dermatitis �?Herpes blisters �?Lichen planus �?Skin parasites (scabies) �?Vitiligo

The discussion up till now has made it clear that psoriasis in reality is an internal disease (faulty immune system with genetic predispositions) that manifests itself on the skin. Needless to say the disease is deep seated and calls for well planned deeply acting medicines.  Conventional treatment with steroid can suppress (that is what they call ‘manage�? the symptoms of the disease but cannot cure the disease. On the other hand, it is homoeopathy that has potential to stimulate body’s natural healing capacity and to restore the disturbed immune system.

The treatment of psoriasis can be discussed under two major categories:
1. Homoeopathic treatment
2. Allopathic treatment

Homoeopathy treatment:

The modus operandi
 

In short, homoeopathy treats the cause and not merely the symptoms of the disease. As a result, homoeopathy treats the disease and does not merely suppress the portrait of disease.

Homoeopathy…medicine of future
It is in the past few decades that the conventional system of medicine has perceived the paramount importance of genetic tendencies as the root of wide spectrum of diseases and they are yet struggling to find out best possible therapeutic measures to counter these inherited traits.

On the other extreme, homoeopathy has recognized the influence of genetics in manifestation of diseases two hundred years back. Still more, homoeopathy has simple yet very effective measures to fight these predispositions.

Homoeopathy approach
The very significance of the homoeopathy treatment is to 'treat the patient as a whole' or 'patient as a person' which is directed to heal the body-mind system from within. The constitutional treatment helps the body's own healing mechanism, enhances body's self-recovery capacity hence leading to a long-term cure.

Homoeopathy case analysis
Every patient of psoriasis is evaluated as an individual case and treated as such. While making the case analysis of psoriatic patients, minutest of the details about the skin lesions are noted carefully, as regard to the location and extent of involvement, peculiar sensations such as itching, burning, pain, involvement of nails, joint pain, the triggering factors including climate, emotional stress, etc. Besides, a greater deal of emphasis is given to patient’s individual features such as eating habits, food preference, thermal attributes, sleep pattern. The study of the patient's mind and emotional spheres is conducted meaningfully, Besides, patients history of past diseases and that of the family diseases is understood to know the miasmatic background of the patients.

After putting all the vital information together, a fine evaluation process is carried out, an individualist medicine is determined for the patient which treats the patient at an inner level, making healing at a deeper level, treating this chronic disease.

The duration of treatment:
Psoriasis is a deep-seated and obstinate skin condition. Hence the treatment is usually long-term. The total length of treatment varies form case to case, depending of various factors such as:
(a) the duration of lesions
(b) the extent of spread of the disease
(c) the general health of the patient.

On an average, one may expect a definite change in about three to five months, depending on the extent. The total length of medication may be anything between six months to two years or so.

Why homeopathy for psoriasis?
The major benefits of homeopathy could be summarized as under:
 - It is constitutional; hence there is deep-level healing and recovery.
 - It offers long-lasting cure instead of temporary relief.
 - It significantly reduces chances of relapse.
 - Homoeopathy has positive influence in curtailing the course of the disease in terms of reducing further spread of the disease to previously non-involved areas.
 - It is absolutely harmless, safe and non-toxic.
 - The over all success rate at our center is over 75%.

Homoeopathy medicines:
There are around 3000 homoeopathy medicines derived from various natural resources and effective against plethora of diseases. Among these some of the very frequently used homoeopathy medicines for psoriasis are described here:

1.  Sulphur:
Sulphur is very commonly indicated homoeopathy medicines for a range of skin disorders including urticaria. It is a true polychrest remedy having influence on various systems of body like skin, stomach, rectum, urinary system, respiratory system, etc.

In patients with psoriasis, Sulphur is indicated when skin is dry, scaly, and unhealthy; every little injury suppurates. Skin ailments are associated with lot of itching and burning that becomes worse on scratching and washing. Itching more in the evening. Skin excoriations especially in folds. Skin becomes dry and hard. Feeling of a band around bones. Skin affections that develop after local medication. This remedy is more suited to thin and weak individuals who are very sensitive to heat. Mentally suited to people who are nearly always irritated and depressed. They are very forgetful. They are either too busy or they are lazy and do not feel like doing work. Some of them may have a feeling that they are immensely wealthy when in reality the situation is opposite.

2 .Arsenicum iodatum:
Arsenicum iodatum is one of the very frequently used homoeopathy medicines for psoriasis. The skin is dry, scaly and itching. There is marked exfoliation of skin in large scales, leaving a raw exuding surface beneath. Shin becomes dry and hard. Skin lesions in the area of beard.

The remedy is also useful for many respiratory complaints including early stages of tuberculosis. The remedy also has great influence on cardiac system. The remedy is more suitable to weak and exhausted individuals who sweat profusely.

3. Graphites:
One on the indispensable remedy when it comes to management of chronic skin diseases. Skin becomes rough, hard and persistent dryness. Psoriasis especially at the bend of joints, groins, neck, behind ears, and even nails. The skin gets cracked. Along with psoriasis joints get involved. Psoriasis with lot of burning and stinging. Psoriasis along with eczema.

This remedy executes positive influence over digestive system, female reproductive system, etc. This remedy is suited more to obese individuals who are sensitive to cold and are usually constipated.        

4. Kali arsenicum:
One of the very useful homoeopathy medicine for the treatment of skin ailments especially psoriasis. The patient complains of intolerable itching that aggravates on undressing. Itching more in warm room or warm season. Cuts and fissures in bends of elbow and knee joint. Psoriasis associated with arthritis. The remedy is more suitable to individuals who are restless, nervous, and anemic.