Sandhya Raghavan
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Sandhya Raghavan | Published : October 16, 2017 5:38 PM IST
Many patients who have been suffering from debilitating health conditions will have tales of being duped by promises of miracle cures and permanent solutions. There are many quacks and fraudsters who cash in on the fear of patients in a bid to make a quick buck. Among them are people who claim to be homoeopaths, telling patients that they can accomplish what allopathic treatment hasn't and offer a permanent "cure" for psoriasis. Many people fall for such claims and end up paying an exorbitant amount of money, only to realise they were victims of an elaborate fraud. When someone has suffered long enough, they'd hang on to any thread of hope that promises a permanent solution.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is quite common. But not many know of the psychological burden of the disease, which makes the patients desperate for a cure and vulnerable to charlatans. Dr Shreepad Khedekar, MD, Imperial Clinics is well aware of such practices rampant in the country. "Most cheats who claim to be specialists in skin disorders start their business with a cure for psoriasis and hair fall as their USP," he says. "Don't fall prey to their photoshopped pictures." He lists seven important facts about psoriasis that you should know of, before you fall for frauds and their false claims:
1. The root cause of psoriasis is still unknown
Psoriasis is not fully understood according to Dr Khedekar. But research suggests that several factors like genetics, environment and immune systems contribute to the cause. He warns that quacks bait vulnerable patients by concocting a 'reason' for the disease. This gives patients an impression that the quack has an insight into the disease that your doctor doesn't. "This will make him seem like he has the answer to your problem. He will tell you something that you have never heard before and you will end up signing up with him," says Dr Khedekar.
2. Your mood affects psoriasis
Your mood plays a big role in the aggravation and amelioration of the disease according to Dr Khedekar. So while you think it is the drugs that are working, there is a chance it is just your mood that is affecting the treatment.
(Read: How psoriasis affects you mentally)
3. Psoriasis has no correlation with your diet
Dr Khedekar warns against doctors who prescribe diet regimens, claiming that the right food will cure the patient. "The truth psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that has nothing to do with what you eat," says the doctor.
4. Local applications or creams don t cure Psoriasis
Never in the history of medicine has psoriasis been cured by applying topical lotions and creams.
"Coal tar applications, shampoos or steroidal creams cannot cure autoimmune diseases," says Dr Khedekar. Calling autoimmunity a product of erratic genetic mechanism, he says there is no way that local applications can cure psoriasis no matter what fraud doctors say. "Steroids or cytostatics will give instantaneous and temporary relief. The moment they are stopped, the disease can come back with a bang. Don't fall for it," he says.
5. Is it dandruff or psoriasis?
To the untrained eye, dandruff and psoriasis may seem indistinguishable. "Most ignorant doctors will start treating your harmless dandruff on the scalp as psoriasis and will also claim to have cured it!" adds the doctor.
6. How long does it take for psoriasis to go away?
Patients getting conned by frauds who tell them that treating psoriasis would take years. That way, they can fleece the patients for longer, telling them that their medicines will eventually work. "Even the best books of dermatology mention a seven-year treatment process," says Dr Khedekar.
7. Con doctors will exploit your low self-esteem
Psoriasis is a cosmetic issue as much as it is a health or a psychological issue. Con artists know that patients will spend more money when it comes to a cosmetic problem that affects their appearance. "Patients spend 20 times more money on problems of the skin than they do over serious internal issues. Cons know this and will exploit your weakness and your low self-esteem to fool you," says the homoeopath.
Image source: Shutterstock
