Kim Kardashian Psoriasis Brings Attention to the Chronic Skin Disorder

Over seven million Americans living with skin disease

Kim Kardashian one of America’s socialites and known celebrity especially for "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," has been diagnosed with this skin disorder.

Ms. Kardashian had visited her dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer who quickly made the diagnosis. Dr. Lancer had informed her that there is no cure for this disease however, it is treatable. Treatments include medications and creams. He had also recommended for Ms. Kardashian to slow down her active lifestyle. Among the triggers are stress, diet, medications and allergies.

On her show, she noted that she has heard of psoriasis due to the fact of her mother always having it. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, this may be the reason Ms. Kardashian has it noting this disease does run in families.

Psoriasis can easily be mistaken for a rash. There are five different forms of psoriasis, plaque type being the most common. This type is distinguished by red lesions that are covered with silvery-white scales which are found on the knees, scalp, lower back and elbows.

Among the millions who suffer this disease like Ms. Kardashian it places them at increased risk for other serious health conditions linked with the disease. These include heart disease, depression, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Conventional treatments include topical creams, phototherapy and prescription medications. These do come with negative aspects such as adverse effects, dependency on the medications and resistance to the treatments.

There are some alternative therapies which have been known to work a few of these include:

Acupuncture

Grant it this form of treatment is not commonly used in China for psoriasis but there is some evidence it is effective. There are no side effects to this treatment. It is being more and more widely accepted as a method of treating and controlling pain linked with psoriatic arthritis and rheumatism.

Chiropractic

There have been some studies that indicate chiropractic may reduce skin lesions. Adjustments from a chiropractor have been known to aide some people especially with pain and inflammation.

Herbs and Supplements

Shark Cartilage has shown some early evidence it could provide relief of symptoms for plaque psoriasis. Recommended dosage is 80 to 100 mg per day in two or four doses. If you have diabetes do not take this supplement. If you are on calcium supplements check with your health practitioner before taking.

Oregon grape in a cream (10%) has some evidence that shows using this cream may slightly reduce symptoms. One study showed results that indicated it worked as well as Dovonex in some persons.

Aloe Vera cream (0.5%) in several studies has demonstrated that it does improve psoriatic plaques as well as a placebo.