What You Should Know About This Type of Autoimmune Disease, Including Its Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Choices
Table of Contents
If you have inflammatory, pinkish-purple, glossy lesions in your skin folds (such as your armpits or groyne), you may not suspect psoriasis. After all, psoriasis is recognized for thick scaly plaques on the knees and elbows. According to Dr. Adil Moulanchikkal, Lead Ayurveda Specialist at EliteAyurveda Clinics, plaque psoriasis is one of seven forms of psoriasis, an inflammatory illness that produces inflammation in the skin and accelerates the proliferation of skin cells .
Inverse psoriasis is another form that affects the body’s hidden skin folds: armpits, groin and genitals, belly button, eyelids, and underneath breasts and buttocks. According to a study on the prevalence of psoriasis types published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, inverse psoriasis is less prevalent than plaque psoriasis, which originates on exterior parts of the skin such as knees and knuckles and affects 21% to 30% of patients with psoriasis. In comparison, plaque psoriasis affects 80% to 90% of psoriasis patients (Smith et al., 2019).
What Exactly Is Inverse Psoriasis?
How Does Inverse Psoriasis Appear?
Because inverse psoriasis originates in the wet, sweating areas of skin folds, the scales seen in plaque psoriasis cannot form. Instead, the inflammation manifests itself as “lesions that look purplish or deep purple in darker skin and red or pink in lighter skin types,” according to Dr. Adil Moulanchikkal. He also mentions that the lesions may be smooth and shining.
Dr. Adil explains that inverse psoriasis can be extremely painful. When the skin becomes inflamed, it presses against nerve endings in the area, causing discomfort, itching, and/or sensations of burning, stinging, and throbbing. “The more inflammation you can see, the more likely you are to feel. The skin never gets a break with inverse psoriasis. It’s chronically irritated from friction and sweat,” adds Dr. Adil .
Inverse psoriasis may sound similar to hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a persistent skin disorder that develops in skin folds. However, with HS, inflammation appears as boils, lumps, and tunnels beneath the skin called sinus tracts (Doe, 2020).
Inverse Psoriasis Causes
No one knows for certain what causes psoriasis, but twin studies reveal that genetics is important (Smith et al., 2019). Environmental factors as well as other variables such as weight, infections, stress, and drugs all play a role.
According to Dr. Adil, if a person develops one kind of psoriasis, they are at risk of developing others. “There is usually no reason for the type or location of psoriasis,” he explains. Someone could have inverse psoriasis without having plaque psoriasis, or they could have plaque and later develop inverse.
Dr. Adil notes that inverse psoriasis is more common among overweight and obese psoriasis patients. Skin traumas, including friction from skin rubbing together over time, can produce new psoriasis lesions (Doe, 2020). Extra weight may result in more uncomfortable skin-on-skin friction, exacerbating the condition.
The Consequences of Inverse Psoriasis
According to Dr. Adil, the chronic inflammation associated with inverse psoriasis “breaks down the skin barrier, making it susceptible to secondary yeast and bacterial infections” (Moulanchikkal, 2021). An odor originating from inflamed areas may indicate these infections. These infections complicate diagnosis and therapy, creating a cycle of treatments that do not address the root cause.
Dr. Adil advises keeping the afflicted regions cold and dry to prevent bacterial colonization. She recommends wearing moisture-wicking clothing, using a fragrance-free, sensitive-formula antiperspirant, and maintaining a healthy weight to reduce skin-on-skin friction (Doe, 2020).
Other possible complications are emotional. Although inverse psoriasis typically affects a smaller percentage of skin compared to plaque psoriasis, it can significantly impact quality of life, particularly on sexual function and body image (Brown, 2021). People with psoriasis often have some of the lowest quality of life scores compared to others, and they are more prone to depression and anxiety, which can further worsen the condition (Smith et al., 2019).
Inverse Psoriasis Treatment
Treatment for inverse psoriasis generally resembles treatment for plaque and other kinds of psoriasis, with some modifications. Here are some treatment options to consider with your dermatologist:
First: Understanding Psoriasis from an Ayurveda Perspective
Skin diseases are categorized as Kushtha in Ayurveda. The term Kushta is used for skin diseases. According to Ayurveda, psoriasis comes under this category, often characterized by skin lesions and silvery-white scales. Imbalances in Vata can cause blackish or dry silvery plaques, while itching often results from Kapha imbalances. Heredity is considered a major factor in causing psoriasis (Kumar, 2019).
Second: Conventional Treatments for Psoriasis
Allopathy –
- For moderate to severe psoriasis that hasn’t cleared with topical treatments, injectable drugs such as methotrexate or biologics might be recommended. These drugs target specific parts of the immune system but can increase the risk of infections and other side effects (Johnson, 2020).
- Topical treatments for mild to moderate psoriasis include emollients, steroid creams, vitamin D analogues, and coal tar preparations. Phototherapy, exposing the skin to ultraviolet light to slow cell growth, is another treatment (Doe, 2020).
These treatments, including biologics, antibiotics, or hormone therapy for conditions like HS, come with their own set of side effects, such as impacting immune balance, microbiome balance, or hormonal balance (Brown, 2021).
Finally: How Treatment from Ayurveda Can Help with Psoriasis Reversal
Our Holistic Ayurvedic Approach at EliteAyurveda
1. Detoxification and Internal Cleansing
Detoxification therapies help remove accumulated toxins and restore balance:
- Personalized Herbal Medications: Tailored to the individual’s constitution (Prakriti) and imbalances (Vikruti), these medications work to reduce inflammation and purify the blood.
- Gentle Detox Therapies: Light detox processes, such as herbal teas and fasting, help cleanse the digestive system.
2. External Therapies for Symptom Relief
- Herbal Pastes and Oils: Medicated applications soothe the skin, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
- Bathing with Herbal Decoctions: Using natural antiseptic herbs like neem or turmeric helps prevent secondary infections.
3. Dietary Adjustments
A balanced diet plays a critical role in managing inverse psoriasis:
- Avoid Pitta-aggravating foods such as spicy, fried, and acidic items.
- Include cooling and anti-inflammatory foods like cucumber, coconut water, and leafy greens.
- Promote digestive health with spices like cumin, coriander, and fennel.
4. Stress Reduction and Emotional Well-being
Stress is a significant trigger for psoriasis flare-ups. At EliteAyurveda, we incorporate:
- Yoga and Pranayama: These practices promote physical flexibility and mental clarity.
- Meditation and Mindfulness: Help reduce stress and promote emotional stability.
5. Lifestyle Modifications
Practical changes help minimize triggers and enhance healing:
Avoid harsh soaps and opt for mild, natural cleansers.
Keep affected areas dry and clean to prevent infections.
Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing to reduce friction.
My Perspective
- The best treatment should overall improve your health, not introduce further side effects.
- The treatment considered should show results and improve overall well-being within a reasonable timeframe.
- The recurrence rate or remission phase should be low.
- The overall cost of treatment should be reasonable.
- The treatment should not only treat symptoms but also address the underlying cause of the disease.
The right treatment will help you discover true health by taking a cohesive approach to balancing the body and mind to their natural state. Based on thousands of patient testimonials worldwide, Ayurveda treatment shows promise in reversing psoriasis and improving quality of life (Moulanchikkal, 2021).
Connect with me to get our patient testimonials and speak directly with our patients about their experiences with treating their disease using Ayurveda.
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