Psoriasis is a non contagious skin disorder, which causes inflamed scaly patches or lesions to form on the skin. Medical professionals believe there is a genetic component to psoriasis and that it is an autoimmune disorder. Psoriasis can be triggered by a wide number of circumstances including viral or bacterial infection, poison ivy and even certain medications. Treatment for psoriasis usually includes steroids like cortisone.

There is no cure for psoriasis. It is believed that psoriasis is caused by a disruption of the natural cell maturation process that occurs in the body. Dead skin cells slough off and are replaced with new cells about every twenty eight days. When an injury to the skin occurs, the natural response is for the body to go into a faster cell replacement mode. Instead of producing new cells on a twenty eight day cycle, the body speeds up the process, producing new cells every two to four days.

It is believed that this accelerated maturation process is the cause of psoriasis. The body responds as if there is a wound, even though no wound is present. The overproduction of cells results in the characteristic white scaly patches over red inflamed lesions that are the most prominent symptoms of psoriasis.

Like other autoimmune diseases, the progress of this disorder varies from one individual to another. Treatments that work for some sufferers fail to provide relief for others. There is growing evidence that emu oil can provide relief for many sufferers of psoriasis.

The emu is a large flightless bird that is indigenous to Australia. The native aborigines of Australia had a relationship with the emu that was similar to the relationship that North American native tribes had with the buffalo. The emu provided food, clothing and medicine for the aborigines. Emu oil was used by these peoples to treat a variety of ailments, especially skin ailments and wounds.

Emu oil is obtained from the fatty tissue on the back of the bird. It is know to be rich in the essential fatty acids omega-9, omega-6 and omega-3. Emu oil contains no phosphorous, which makes it closer to the natural oils found in human skin and allows it to penetrate deeply. The oil is believed to have natural anti-inflammatory properties and it prevents the growth of bacteria. It is also noncomedogenic, which means it will not clog the pores of the skin.

Many psoriasis suffers are turning to topical preparations containing emu oil. There are a great many who have reported that these preparations have provided them with relief with the itching and scaling of the disease. The benefits obtained vary by the individual but so far the reports for the majority of psoriasis sufferers using emu oil topically appear to be positive.

Pure emu oil and topical preparations containing emu oil are available online and at local stores featuring herbal and dietary remedies. This treatment is relatively new to Americans and is more readily available in Australia. For those suffering from psoriasis, emu oil may provide relief. To find out more, check information sites on the Internet.