Of course psoriasis is more than a skin condition - it is an immune condition that involves system wide inflammation which is most visible in the skin, but which can also commonly affect the joints (psoriatic arthritis), and which can affect other tissues, including the heart. Yes, there is a genetic predisposition to psoriasis, but that is no different than the genetic predisposition to heart disease - lifestyle factors can still make a difference. Psoriasis has been treated through the gut - using ox bile, slippery elm, or similar compounds, which reduce the absorption of large proteins, which can send the immune system into overdrive. Bacterial infections are a common trigger for psoriasis/psoriasis flares - particulary Strep type infections. Sunlight or UV therapy is commonly prescribed for psoriasis, as are synthetic forms of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is both a vitamin and a hormone; it turns down many components of the immune system. Most OTC forms of vitamin D supplements are not effective for psoriasis, as they are relatively weak and need to be activated by the kidneys, which limits their effect. Sunshine, on the other hand, is recognized as helpful (and psoriasis is more common in areas with less sunshine - the further away from the tropics one goes, the more psoriasis in general, the cloudier a place is, the more psoriasis in general).

Someone posted a picture of San Jose Rose Garden ... the roses are tall and planted really close together like a forest. In contrast, the rose park in zone 5a plant their roses widely spaced apart, for ventilation due to blackspot pressure, and for maximum sun-exposure during low-sun fall and winter season. What Kim said about the difference between hot and cold climate is right. We have 4 seasons here: sunny and wet spring, sunny and hot summer, gloomy and wet fall, and cold winter. My husband set the blade to cut grass higher, so that the grass is taller in spring and summer to shield the roots from drying out. My neighbor butchered his grass really short, and it looks really bad scorched at above 90's. In our less sun fall, he lowers the blade, so the grass is cut shorter to allow more sun to penetrate, so we would have less mushroom growing on the lawn in our damp fall.

Even though THIS SITE is selling something, it seems like a pretty good source of info on what may cause dandruff: scalp yeast imbalance. Click on "All about dandruff". (Note, I do not own Johnson & Johnson stock.) :) I have used tea tree shampoos in the past. They feel nice for sure, but my problem just got worse. Some shampooing alone can remove flakes and give the appearance of helping, plus that "tingly" feeling will override the itching for a while. I would definitely recommend seeing a good dermatologist. My problem was intermittent, the occurrence and severity often related to stress. It was worse in winter as the site says. In addition, the dermatitis irritated my eyes. My doctor proscribed Nizoral. This worked! There are also OTC versions of Nizoral available. I have also used prescription and OTC T-Gel shampoos as well. Luckily drandruff shampoos do lather up better than they used to. This makes it easier to use a minimum amount for savings. Do yourself a favor and go to a dermatologist. Whatever he/she recommends, you will save a lot of money and frustration from ineffective OTCs (like Head and Shoulders) and herbal solutions. Good luck!

I have psoriasis on the scalp and it is driving me crazy! I use T-gel every night like my dermatologist tells me to do. If I don't, the scales just keep getting harder, thicker and I'm so embarrassed by it. My hair has got a little thinner in places. I can't go one day without washing my hair. I have the psoriasis also on my elbows, one knee and some on my back. I also have it in my ears and behind them. I don't have it bad over my body but my scalp!!! Oh my, I think there isn't a clean spot on my head. I drench my head in olive oil...really any oil I can get. Put a shower cap on and leave it on during the day. If I use the cap at night the krinkle of it keeps me awake...LOL There is another psoriasis called Inverse psoriasis. You can get that under your breast, groin areas, arm pits, just anywhere there is a crease in the skin. It looks like a burn, feels like a burn and hurts! Psoriasis is inherited and my Daddy had it really bad. I didn't come down with it until I was 40 years old...after I quit smoking. I guess the stress of that brought it on. I pray my daughter doesn't inherit psoriasis. So far I don't have any arthritis. My doctor told me that some people get psoriasis arthritis and some don't. I don't believe everyone with psoriasis get rhuematoid arthritis. I know several people with psoriasis and they don't have it either. I just wish someone would find a cure for it. It is the T cell 1 that is the cause of it all. T cell 1 causes your body to attack its own skin, thinking there is an infection or other ailment going on. If they could just turn off the T cell 1 without turning off the other T cells perhaps the internal medicines would help more without doing damage. We would have all the other T cells to keep infection at bay. I hope your child can get some relief from her psoriasis. I hate to see a child suffering from this. As an adult with it I can handle peoples comments or stares. If they are brave enough to make smart aleck comments to me I hope they are big enough to handle what I will say to them! But a child is just so vunerable and self conscious. God love her...I hope something helps her soon. Deb