IMPORTANT
Unless otherwise stated on the package, most supplements and herbal remedies aren’t suitable for children under 12.
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Psoriasis

What you need to know:

This disfiguring condition can be very distressing to anyone who has it. To children and teenagers, who are often self-conscious about their looks when there’s no logical reason to be, it can interfere with their studies, social life and friendships. There aren’t any natural remedies or complementary therapies that can cure it. Some dietary changes and natural treatments can relieve the symptoms, however.

Dietary changes that may be beneficial:

They need to cut down on:

Sugar
Red meat
Animal fats (including those in dairy products)
And teenagers need to go easy on alcohol

Eating more fibre-rich foods - the complex carbohydrates in pasta, rice wholemeal bread and cereals, plus more fruit and vegetables - will help.

The most useful Herbs:

Goldenseal
Sarsparilla
Silimarin

The most useful Supplements:

A good multivitamin and mineral tablet every day
Extra Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Chromium
Selenium
Zinc
Psyllium
Pectin
Guar gum

The most important supplement of all, however, is Flaxseed oil. Several recent studies have shown it to be extremely effective in the treatment of psoriasis.

Other useful advice:

A registered naturopath will be able to give you more detailed advice on dietary changes and supplements which may be specific to your child’s way of life and the reasons for developing this condition. Stress is known to be an exacerbating factor. If you’ve noticed that the skin erupts when the child or young person is under pressure, you need to make sure that they take regular breaks from their studies, get enough sleep and set aside time for a physical activity they enjoy. Older children and teenagers may be helped by Yoga or relaxation exercises.

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This information is licensed for use by Wellbeing Information Systems Ltd ("WIS"), and protected by international copyright law. All rights are reserved. (email info@wisinfo.co.uk).
The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.