Psoriasis is one of mankind's most common skin conditions. Approximately 2 percent of the US population has psoriasis. Equally common in men and women, psoriasis affects all age groups. Psoriasis looks like a red skin rash loosely covered with silvery white scales. It often appears on the elbows, knees, scalp, or low back. For reasons not completely understood, skin cells in these areas reproduce too rapidly and build up faster than they can be sloughed off. These excess skin cells form the characteristic scaly rash. A number of causes are theorized, including genetics and external triggers such as climate, infection, injury, and drugs. Psoriasis is usually manageable, and it often goes into remission. Avoiding stress, following good dietary habits and keeping weight down can help control psoriasis.

Aloe is a succulent plant, mostly found in East and South Africa that has been used medicinally for centuries. Traditional applications abound, including topical use in wounds, burns, rashes, and internal use as a laxative. While the gel from the aloe leaf may provide the wound healing properties, the bitter, yellow latex from the plant contains a bowel stimulant that may function as a laxative. Today, aloe vera gel is found in many commercial skin-care products, shampoos, and conditioners while the latex is a key component of many commercial laxatives.

A recent clinical trial sought to evaluate the efficacy of aloe vera (AV) cream for treating mild to moderate plaque psoriasis and compare its results to patients using triamcinolone acetonide (TA). The study involved eighty patients randomly receiving AV or TA cream for eight weeks. Their clinical responses were evaluated using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The results were the AV group reported a greater reduction in their PASI than did the patients in the steroid group. In conclusion the AV cream proved to be more effective than the TA cream in reducing symptoms of psoriasis which could be good news to people living with psoriasis as an alternative to other topical treatments such as steroids that can have side effects and are sometimes expensive to obtain.¹

¹ Choonhakarn C, Busaracome P, Sripanidkulchai B, et al. A prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing topical aloe vera with 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009.