What is Psoriasis and How can it be Treated?
In a nutshell psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition. There are a total of five different types of psoriasis and each comes with its own unique signs and symptoms.
1. Plaque psoriasis: This is most common type of psoriasis. Effecting around 80% of people who suffer from psoriasis. It appears as patches of raised, reddish skin covered by silvery-white scale. Most frequently this type forms on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp.
2. Guttate psoriasis: appears in the form of small, red spots on the skin
3. Pustular psoriasis: appears as white pustules surrounded by red skin
4. Inverse psoriasis: are when smooth, red lesions form in skin folds
5. Eerythrodermic psoriasis: is when there is widespread redness, severe itching, and pain
Who Suffers From Psoriasis?
Over 4.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with the condition with an estimated 150,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Psoriasis occurs about equally in males and females. The signs and symptoms of psoriasis usually appear between 15 and 35 years of age. However, it is possible to develop psoriasis at any age. About 1 in 10 people develop psoriasis during childhood, and as the condition has appeared early it is more likely to be widespread and recurrent.
Psoriasis will usually cause discomfort, with the skin often itching, possibly cracking and also bleeding. In more severe cases the itching and discomfort may be so bad that it can make day to day tasks hard to do and also sleeping at night very difficult.
Unfortunately psoriasis is a lifelong condition as at the moment there is no cure. Most people when suffering from psoriasis will experience flare-ups and remissions of this condition throughout their lives.
The Causes of Psoriasis
Until recently little was known about psoriasis and scientists do not fully understand the causes. Researchers now believe that psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition, caused by faulty signals in the body’s immune system. It is believed that psoriasis develops when the immune system tells the body to over-react and accelerate the growth of skin cells. When psoriasis develops, the skin cells mature in 3 to 6 days and move to the skin surface. Instead of being shed, the skin cells pile up, causing the visible lesions. Research had indicated that a “trigger” is needed. Some of the known triggers are stress, skin injuries, a strep infection, certain medications, and sunburn.
What Can You Do To Treat Psoriasis?
Although there is no cure for psoriasis, the good news is research continues to accelerate at a rapid pace. With the emergence of several new therapies and psoriasis creams such as Dermasis more people are experiencing substantial improvements and reporting a greatly improved quality of life.
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