Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition that affects the skin and joints over a long period of time. Is it possible that aloe vera can aid with the symptoms of this condition?
Psoriasis is caused by a problem with the immune system, and it can cause excess skin cells to build up on the skin, resulting in inflamed, scaly plaques on the surface of the skin.
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the joints and causes pain and swelling. It affects approximately 30% of people who have skin symptoms of psoriasis.
At this time, there is no cure for the condition, although a range of therapy choices can assist alleviate symptoms. Those who feel that aloe vera can help with psoriasis-related skin and joint problems believe that it can help with both skin and joint problems.
This article examines how aloe vera may be able to alleviate some of the symptoms of psoriasis, as well as the findings of recent studies.
Does aloe vera help psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes painful and unpleasant areas of inflamed skin. These patches may fracture and bleed from time to time. Psoriatic arthritis is characterised by swollen, stiff, and painful joints in the affected area.
In most cases, the symptoms of psoriasis come and go, getting worse during flares and getting better during periods of remission.
Aloe vera is a type of succulent plant with gel-filled leaves that grows in hot climates. It has long been used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including psoriasis, in traditional medicines from many cultures. Aloe vera gel has been used to treat a variety of skin conditions for thousands of years, including psoriasis.
According to recent research, aloe vera has chemicals that may aid to decrease inflammation and modify the immune system.
These components may enable aloe vera to perform the following functions:
- soothe the skin
- reduce inflammation
- help keep the skin from drying out
Individuals with mild to moderate psoriasis who applied a combination of 50 percent propolis and 3 percent aloe vera for 12 weeks reported an improvement in their symptoms, according to research published in 2018. This study, on the other hand, did not examine the effects of aloe vera alone.
Benefits
An animal study conducted in 2011 discovered that aloe vera gel was useful in the treatment of psoriasis. More research, however, will be required to determine the impact on humans.
Currently, there is no evidence to show that aloe vera can be used to treat psoriasis in particular, while some research have suggested that it may alleviate certain symptoms.
It aids in the healing of wounds
According to the findings of a 2015 analysis, the healing qualities of aloe vera are related to a molecule known as glucomannan, which has the ability to stimulate skin cell proliferation and expedite wound healing.
If a person with psoriasis has plaques that crack or bleed, these features may be advantageous to him or her.
It has anti-inflammatory properties
The skin ailment psoriasis is characterised by inflammation, and aloe vera appears to have anti-inflammatory qualities.
When it comes to psoriasis, aloe vera gel may theoretically be able to assist lessen the inflammation that causes skin and joint discomfort.
The use of aloe vera gel in the treatment of skin disorders such as UV light-induced erythema was found to be more beneficial than using a placebo in a 2008 study. The study, on the other hand, did not investigate the treatment of psoriasis.
More research will be required to confirm if the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera are effective in the treatment of psoriasis.
Increases the amount of water in the body
Aloe vera gel may initially aid to enhance skin hydration, but if a person uses it on a daily basis, the impact may not last as long.
The results of a 2014 study indicated that applying aloe vera gel to the skin enhanced skin hydration after just one application, albeit the improvement was not statistically significant when compared to the effect of the placebo, which was plain water.
Furthermore, the researchers discovered that, with repeated applications, the gel actually decreased skin hydration levels.
Keeping the skin moisturised can assist to keep it from cracking, thus using aloe vera on a regular basis may be beneficial. Other alternatives, such as simple Vaseline, may, on the other hand, be more effective.
In order to determine whether aloe vera is an effective moisturiser for persons suffering from psoriasis, more research will be required.
Aloe vera: How to Use It
Almost all pharmacies and health food stores carry aloe vera gel, which can be purchased over the counter.
It is recommended by the National Psoriasis Foundation that you use an aloe-based lotion that includes 0.5 percent aloe.
Natural aloe vera gel can also be obtained directly from the plant by snapping off a leaf and gently squeezing out the gel from within.
For starters, test a tiny patch of skin with the gel or cream to see if there are any adverse reactions. If there is no reaction after 24 hours, a person can apply the gel or cream liberally to the affected skin up to three times per day, up to a maximum of three times per day.
There are other tablets made of aloe vera that can be purchased, but the National Psoriasis Foundation claims that these do not help to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis and can even be harmful in certain cases.
Health risks
Most people are safe when they apply aloe vera gel to their skin, however some people may experience an allergic reaction. This is why it is better to start with a tiny patch of skin and work your way up from there.
Other psoriasis topical therapies are available.
Aloe vera gel is a complementary medicine that, when used in conjunction with other treatments, may be effective in alleviating the symptoms of psoriasis.
Other ingredients that may be present in topical treatments include:
- salicylic acid
- corticosteroids
- calcipotriene
- coal tar
- These may be available over the counter and by prescription.
Home remedies
According to a review published in 2018, the following may be beneficial in the treatment of psoriasis:
- Indigo naturalis
- curcumin
- fish oil
- meditation
- acupuncture
When the symptoms are minor, most people can manage the disease at home, but in other cases, medical therapy may be required.
Anyone who is experiencing severe, persistent, or increasing psoriasis symptoms should see a doctor immediately, regardless of age.
Conclusion
Some research suggests that aloe vera gel may be effective in alleviating specific symptoms of psoriasis, possibly as a result of the gel’s numerous therapeutic characteristics.
Further research will be required to determine whether aloe vera gel is a beneficial treatment for the overall illness being treated.
In the interim, aloe vera can be used as a moisturiser and on skin affected by psoriasis without causing any problems.
