Psoriasis is a kind of disease which attacks the skin. Most people suffering from this skin problem feels itchiness and slight pains on the elbow, knees, neck, or scalp. Psoriasis can be suffered by children and adults, and in most cases, can be hard to treat. Todays, there are various creams and ointments made for psoriasis. However, some products reported to have side effects after applied on psoriasis, especially when scalp is the affected area. Certain substances used these creams and ointments give harsh effect on hair and might cause excessive hair loss or dandruff. Some people then seek for a more natural treatment for psoriasis, which is effective to combat the bacteria causing the disease but gives less side effects. Coconut oil is one of the most effective and hence, is getting more well-known todays.
What is in coconut oil?
Psoriasis is caused by bacteria infection to the skin. Hence, treatment will be effective when these bacteria can be fully eliminated. Healing psoriasis might be tricky sometimes, as the creams and ointments meant to combat the bacteria are in fact, giving unwanted side effects or other health problems. Coconut oil is one of psoriasis treatment which is reported to cause less side effects than manufactured creams and ointments. Hence, this oil is frequently used todays, as more people get to know its benefits for the health.
Years back, coconut oil is used for frying, because it is stable on high temperature so that there will be less harmful by-products produced. Coconut oil is found helpful for psoriasis because of the existence of high level of monoalurin substance inside the product. Monoalurin is highly beneficial for our health, since it helps our body to strengthen its immune system by fighting strange virus and bacteria entering our body. Besides, coconut oil contains high level of antioxidants which is good for preventing free radicals on hair and skin. Coconut oil is also beneficial for bones, since it lets our bones absorb more calcium and magnesium.
Does coconut oil help scalp psoriasis
Coconut oil is known as one of effective treatment for scalp psoriasis. As psoriasis including the ones on our scalp is induced by bacteria infection, a substance which specifically combats these infecting bacteria is required. Monoalurin contained by coconut oil is one of the most effective substance to fight psoriasis inducing bacteria. Psoriasis is also closely connected with inflammation. Hence, an anti-inflammatory is needed for thorough cure. Coconut oil is enriched with anti-inflammatory substance which is useful for combating bacteria and reducing inflammation.
Coconut oil is also a good natural moisturizer. Moisturizing substances inside this oil will be useful for healing psoriasis, since they reduce dry scales which make psoriasis worse. Very dry scalp promotes psoriasis faster. Hence, applying coconut oil will help moisten the scalp longer, so that psoriasis can heal faster.
To add more, coconut oil also contains good fatty acid which is very useful for our body. Absorbing this good fatty acid will help the body eliminate microorganism which worsen psoriasis. Virgin coconut oil has an adequate level of this acid, which makes it a good cure for psoriasis.
Coconut oil is suggested to be applied on affected scalp once a day before bedtime. Excessive application might cause irritation instead of curing the infection. To make the effect work better, you may mix coconut oil with peppermint oil for soothing effect or tea-tree oil as an anti-allergen.
In order to soothe itchiness, coconut oil can be applied and let sit for couple of minutes before rinsed with warm water. It can also be consumed directly. Whichever the way you prefer to treat your psoriasis using coconut oil, you need to make that coconut oil you are using is a virgin coconut oil, preferably the organic one. Non-organic coconut oil is possibly mixed with other substances which can result in harmful by-products which can make psoriasis worse instead.
Coconut oil also needs to be rinse afterwards. You can apply it at night and leave it during night sleep. However, the next morning, you will have to rinse it with or without shampoo. To relieve the psoriasis, medicated shampoo is suggested.