Psoriasis is a lot more common than you think, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis is the most prevalent autoimmune disease is in the United States with approximately 7.5 million Americans impacted. Those who are impacted know that it is a struggle to find proper treatments while trying to use all natural ingredients, especially when your doctor is always prescribing you medical shampoos. There is a trick you can use at home to self-medicate your scalp–and it is all natural.
The secret? Emollients.
An emollient is a substance that helps soothe, hydrate and smoothen the skin. It is important to understand that an emollient cannot cure psoriasis, but it can lessen the severity of the irritation and flakes. For the best results, they must be applied on a regular basis on the troubled areas.
Where can you find emollients?
You can order these online or go to a health food market, such as Whole Foods. Here are some suggestions, according to Organic Glow.
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Jojoba oil
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Castor oil
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Shea butter
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Cocoa butter
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Vegetable glycerin
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Mango butter
How to use
Emollients work best by sealing in moisture, according to Papaa. They will work optimally when applied to the scalp right after the shower. After you shampoo, condition and style your hair grab an emollient and rub it in your hands. Start by massaging your entire scalp or you can work on a specific trouble area. Rub in the emollient softly using a circular massaging motion to help soothe and loosen the patches. These emollients work by softening the dry patches and relieving irritation while making the patches look less noticeable. They create a protective barrier by preventing the skin from drying out any further and preventing infection from any pathogens.
If your hair does not get weighed down from oils you can do this process more than once a day, working the emollients into trouble areas. For fun, you can try out this easy DIY patch soother to use at home.
DIY Psoriasis Emollient Butter
Make your own Psoriasis Emollient Butter as a natural scalp treatment.
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Tea tree oil
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Shea butter
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Castor oil
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Stove
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Container
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Double boiler
Directions
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Get a clean container
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Set up your double boiler on the stove
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Melt 1 cup of shea butter
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Mix in 1 tablespoon of castor oil
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Mix in 5-10 drops of tea tree oil
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Let it cool down for an hour
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Keep it stored in a cool, dry place
The shea butter in this DIY mix will create a thick protective barrier on the scalp to prevent it from drying out. The castor oil will help soothe the flakes and patches, making them less noticeable. The tea tree oil will help prevent infection by pathogens while fighting against fungal infections as well. Before attempting any homemade recipes, make sure to try out every emollient to see which one works best for you.
