Recommended Eczema Resources

May

20

What Is Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis is psoriasis that appears in small patches on the scalp or along the hairline from the forehead to the back of the neck. Scalp psoriasis can also appear around the ears. Psoriasis refers to a skin disorder that is characterised by itchy, red skin with silvery or powdery dry scales.

Scalp psoriasis of the scalp is often confused with seborrhea dermatitis or dandruff. More specific symptoms of scalp psoriasis may include red and raised scalp lesions, dry and silvery or powdery scales, scales and red lesions around the ears, and an itchy scalp. Symptoms can range from mild, with only light scaling to severe, with thick and crusted scales covering the entire scalp. At its most severe, psoriasis can be disfiguring for its sufferer.

Although psoriasis can appear at any age, it most often appears when the sufferer is between the ages of 15 and 35 years of age. Psoriasis is not contagious or life threatening, but it can be uncomfortable and make the sufferer feel self conscious about their appearance.

In scalp psoriasis, new skin cells on the head are produced about eight times faster than normal which causes cells to build up on the skin’s surface. This causes thick patches or plaques to form causing red sores covered with flaky, silvery-white dead skin cells.

Other than the scalp, psoriasis can also strike at the elbows, knees, back, face, palms, and soles of the feet. Psoriasis may also affect the fingernails and toenails, causing pitting, discoloration, or tissue buildup around the nails.

Patients of scalp psoriasis often feel depressed because it is hard to hide their condition from others, since the symptoms appear on the scalp. Unfortunately, they are often the targets of stares and looks of horror. As such, patients of scalp psoriasis typically need lots of support due to the mental state that they are in.

The type of psoriasis that most commonly appears on the scalp is psoriasis seborrhea. This is the same strain that causes cradle cap in babies and minor dandruff in teenagers and adults. Psoriasis symptoms of this kind include an intense itching of the scalp.

Can scalp psoriasis be treated? Well, apparently so. With the help of the dermatologist, symptoms can be controlled somewhat. However, they can reappear again due to triggers such as environmental changes, diet, or stress.

May

16

Results Of My Leaky Gut Test

Filed Under Eczema Causes, Eczema Prevention, Eczema Treatment, Natural Eczema Treatment | 3 Comments

I finally managed to see Dr Sebastian Liew yesterday to get the results of my leaky gut test. I know it has been already more than a month since I took the test but what happened was a case of missed emails. I have waited for him to contact me, not knowing that he had already sent an email to me which I’ve missed. My inbox has so much spam nowadays that it is only unbelievable the amount of junk that I’ve got to plough through everyday. Also, he was away for 3 weeks last month in Europe on business.

In any case, the timing was perfect as I also had a couple of other questions relating to general health that I wanted to ask. But first, back to the results of the leaky gut test.

Based on 900 mL of urine, the results indicated a lactulose/mannitol ratio of 0.014. The normal range should be 0.000 to 0.035. So it seems that I’ve missed it by a little. Dr Liew said that my case was not one of the worst he has seen but nevertheless, it indicated a gastrointestinal muocosal hyperpermeability (leaky gut).

In a detailed breakdown provided by the written report from the lab, it was suggested that I treat the problem with glutamine, probiotics, glucosamine, slippery elm, psyllium, glucosamine, FOS, MSN, pectin, aloe vera, antioxidants (especially vitamins ACE, carotenoids and bioflavanoids), zinc, selenium, folate, EFAs, gamma oryzanol.

Dr Liew recommended a program of 3-6 months using herbs and nutritional supplements to repair the leaky gut. Is it possible to repair a lining that already has holes, I wondered. He said that it would be possible. The only way to check is to do another test some months later.
He suggested that I continue to give up foods that have been known to be tied to eczema like spicy foods, highly fried foods, strawberries, plums, eggs, milk, wheat and pork. I’ve already pared down my diet somewhat and have reduced drastically my consumption of wheat and wheat-related products in the past month. So I was fine to continue my efforts in an avoidance diet. (It’s also hard to determine which is the factor that had helped me recovered from my recent eczema flare up but I am guessing that reduced wheat had a part to play, on top of the positive affirmations that I’ve been doing.)

Dr Liew also recommended that I continue on my nutritional supplement program, comprising of EFAs, fleaseed, multi-flora, triphala and glutamine. He said his selection should cover what the written report suggested. What a relief as he has helped narrowed down the huge list to just 5 items to get for the time being!

Well, after a 2-hour consultation, I came home, laden with two bags of herbs, herbal medicine and supplements, some of which was for my family. My elder daugther, Hui, asked if I’ve gone shopping instead of seeing the doctor!

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