NATIONAL PSORIASIS FOUNDATION

Dear Walk Supporter:

My name is Alexis Trincheria and as a New York Walk Youth Ambassador, I am asking for your help with a cause that means a lot to me: The National Psoriasis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Psoriasis in New York. Please make a difference in the lives of people who have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis by joining the Walk today!

I am 13 yrs old and was first diagnosed with psoriasis when I was 6. When I was younger, kids didn’t understand what psoriasis was and would make fun of me. As I got older, I explained that it was a disease that made my skin grow too fast, and now that I’m a Youth Ambassador I use it as an opportunity to educate others about psoriatic disease and help them understand about it.

I am a very outgoing person and enjoy sports including softball and cheerleading. I love going to the mall and hanging out with my friends. Unfortunately I have had to give most of that up in the past year once I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. My joints in my feet have swollen to twice their normal size. I have great difficulty standing and walking, and I am unable to stand longer than an hour at best and sometimes require a wheelchair. It is especially hard for me because I love to be active!

But I still consider myself very lucky. I have a great support system of family, friends and doctors. I have recently started on biologics and am hopeful that I will be able to actually walk during the Walk to Cure Psoriasis at the New York Botanical Garden on May 6th. I don’t want this disease to control my life or anyone else’s – let’s work together to find a CURE!

Your involvement in this year’s Walk to Cure Psoriasis in New York is critical to the success of the National Psoriasis Foundation’s mission to find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and to eliminate their devastating effects through research, advocacy and education.

We hope to see you at the Walk to Cure Psoriasis in New York on Sunday, May 6, 2012.

There are many benefits to bathing in baths with Dead Sea salts. Some of these benefits have been documented through clinical research while others have been reported by users of the salts:

Bathing in mineral rich bath salts from the Dead Sea:

1. Helps to soften and deeply moisturize dry, flaky skin.
2. Helps to relieve certain symptoms of Psoriasis (see video below)
3. They are rich with over 21 minerals which are essential for proper skin function and cell to cell communication between the skin cells.
4. High concentration of Magnesium helps to reduce muscle and joint aches.
5. Replenishes minerals which are essential for skin health, and which can be depleted during our daily lives.
6. Deeply hydrates skin and provides the minerals needed to maintain a natural moisture balance
7. Helps reduce redness and irritation caused by various skin conditions.
8. Helps to relieve certain Rheumatologic Conditions – the minerals are absorbed into the blood stream helping to stimulate circulation.
   (Harari, M. and Shani, J. (1997), Demographic evaluation of successful antipsoriatic climatotherapy at the Dead Sea (Israel) DMZ Clinic. International Journal of Dermatology, 36: 304–308. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-4362.1997.00204.x)
9. Research into bathing with Dead Sea salt has shown to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles (this is mostly with facial product with Dead Sea minerals)
   Ehrhardt, Proksch; Nissen, HP; Bremgartner, M; Urquhart, C. “Bathing in a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution: follow-on review”. International journal of dermatology 46 (2): 177–179
10. It’s a deeply relaxing way to take off some stress after a long day at work and get into “sleep-mood”

100% Pure Genuine Dead Sea Salt Click Here

100% Pure Genuine Dead Sea Salt Click Here

The appearance of thick red patches on the skin covered with silvery white scales in different parts of the body is indicative of the presence of psoriasis, a non-contagious, recurrent and lifelong skin disease which is particularly common among light skinned people of European descent. In comparison, the incidence of this disease is much lesser in case of African-Americans, the dark skinned West Africans, Eskimos, Japanese and the Native Americans. This observation has led the researchers in the field to conclude that apart from genetic factors, environmental and geographic factors may also contribute significantly to the occurrence of this disease.

Life for psoriasis patients is not so easy and even though the disease is categorically stated as being non-contagious, victims usually face a high degree of social isolation and therefore tend not to leave a single stone unturned with regards to treatment. Since there is no permanent cure, some of the lifestyle recommendations which could benefit the sufferers in controlling the manifestation of this disease in the long run are listed as follows:

• Following a desirable health regimen featuring good nutrition, adequate exercise and sufficient amount of sleep every day tends to reduce the flare-up of psoriasis symptoms because it establishes a healthy internal equilibrium and promotes mental calmness.
• The severity of psoriasis symptoms has been found to be in direct proportion to smoking which implies that the symptoms aggravate if the patient smokes and remain in check when he refrains from smoking. Therefore, psoriasis patients are strongly recommended to quit smoking if they are desirous of getting rid of the red scaly patches dotting their skin.
• Certain medications are known to trigger psoriasis and an individual who is aware of the presence of psoriasis in his lineage must definitely make efforts to find the names of these drugs and avoid them as far as possible.
• Since psoriasis as a disease causes a lot of itching, it is but natural for the psoriasis patient to be tempted to itch, scratch and pick at his lesions. However, this can prove to be extremely harmful as any injury, irritation or forcible removal of scales is likely to worsen the condition and cause it to spread to hitherto unaffected areas.
• Alcohol consumption must be completely avoided in case of psoriasis as imbibing it even in small quantity is likely to result in severe flare-ups.
• Many people prefer to ignore the presence of the disease during its initial stages due to which it often reaches a point when aggressive treatment methods need to be employed to control its symptoms. A wiser course of action would be to refer to a dermatologist when the first break-out of symptoms is observed so that they can be prevented from getting worse or spreading.
• Stress has been strongly linked to all forms of psoriasis due to which it is imperative for psoriasis patients to learn stress management techniques like progressive relaxation, yoga and counseling.
• There are some infections which are known to trigger psoriasis and this is particularly true in case of children. Hence any infection related to mouth, throat, gall bladder, urinary bladder or sinusitis should be treated at the outset lest it aggravates and lingers to the point of causing psoriasis.
• It is the foremost responsibility of the psoriasis patient to take good care of his skin and this can be achieved by soaking in lukewarm oatmeal bath, applying moisturizers, using sun screens and wearing appropriate clothing.
• A psoriasis patient has to learn to live with psoriasis and although there is no permanent cure, it is worthwhile to remember that 70% of the treatment stems from lifestyle changes while the remaining 30% can be attributed to medications.

Our diet plays an important role in determining the state of our health due to which one of the earliest learning lessons imparted to human beings concerns the cultivation of good eating habits. It has indeed been observed that healthy eating habits which are ingrained and built during childhood remain with the individual right till his last days and are the main reason behind his longstanding good health and over-all well being. This truth stands vindicated by the evidence that the propensity towards fast food which is the hallmark of the present generation has been responsible for the burgeoning of many unexpected health maladies among people. Based on this observation, people are being strongly advised to revert back the healthy eating habits of the past which would not only improve their physical health but boost the immune system as well thus enabling them to ward off unwanted diseases and disorders.

A good diet is particularly imperative for psoriasis patients as it is one of the natural remedies which make a significant contribution towards the treatment of this repulsive skin condition. Although the occurrence of psoriasis is mainly attributed to genetic factors, the possibility of the occurrence of this disease due to the high concentration of toxins acquired through the consumption of food is not completely ruled out. Toxins are known to suppress the immune system of the body eventually causing it to malfunction and the outcome presents itself in form of red scaly patches of skin, medically termed as psoriasis. Therefore, one of foremost diet suggestions pertaining to psoriasis is to eat wisely by selecting food stuffs which would not load the body with poisonous and harmful toxins.

Being a non-contagious skin condition, psoriasis is directly related to the function of liver and due to this psoriasis patients are strongly advised to take good care of their liver. Since malfunctioning of liver interferes with the effective and complete elimination of toxins from the body, care should be taken not to place undue stress on this particular internal organ by consuming as pure and unrefined a diet as possible. An ideal diet in this regard would be one which is rich in raw fruits and vegetables and completely prohibits the inclusion of alcohol, red meat, tea, coffee and to a certain extent citrus fruits.

Dietary suggestions for psoriasis patients also recommend the consumption of supplements like cod liver oil, certain varieties of fish, evening primrose, kelp tablets for acquiring vitamins and minerals, herbal teas and foods rich in vitamins B6and B12.

Psoriasis may be caused due to food allergy as well as some food groups which are suspected for playing the role of allergens are wheat and dairy products. This can be ascertained by the patient by trying an elimination diet under the able guidance of a certified and qualified naturopath.

Ultimately, transforming one’s diet in accordance with the dietary suggestions laid down for psoriasis patients is a personal decision which can be put into practice by paying close attention to labels while shopping and giving preference to fresh and organic products which are relatively free from chemicals and toxins.