Affecting approximately one out of every fifty adults, psoriasis skin disease is a physical condition that can cause considerable psychological suffering. Clinical studies have come to the conclusion that although psoriaisis shows itself as a skin complaint, the actual cause is rooted in the immune system of the body.
Common symptoms of psoriasis include skin that is salmon colored, scaly, flaky and irritated. One of the more commonplace forms is called plaque psoriasis where the affected area develops oval, round or irregular formed patches covered with cracked, silver colored skin. The form and sizes of the patches vary widely and several smaller areas can combine together to form one large shape of irritated scaly skin. As well as being not being very nice to look at, these larger areas tend to crack and start bleeding.
The area of affected skin can become very sore and feel as though it is burning. As with the shape, there is no consistency as to the length of time a particular flare-up will go on for. It could last ten days or you may have to endure it for a number of weeks. One of the worst aspects for those affected is that it is a lifelong condition and repeated flare-ups can happen at any time.
Areas of the body that are most often affected include the trunk, scalp, elbows and knees although any part of the body can develop symptoms of psoriasis. One unexplained anomaly is that flare-ups are inclined to be symmetrical in as much that both sides of the body will be afflicted in identical areas at the same time.
Genetic factors play some part in psoriasis meaning that those folks with parents or grandparents who have had psoriasis have a greater risk that they will develop it as well. For reasons that are not yet fully understood, T-cells, which are needed by our bodies to produce infection fighting white blood cells, cause inflammation of the skin. These same cells also trigger some bodily process which results in the over production of skin cells. Because these skin cells are surplus to requirements, they just stack up on top of each other and in turn produce the telltale raised patches on the skins surface. To nourish these extra skin cells, an increased blood supply is necessary which results in the red appearance.
Although not the causes of psoriasis, common triggers include sunlight, streptococcal infections and traumas, both past and present, to the skin. Anxiety and stress can also trigger an outbreak as can changes in hormone levels. Higher incidences of psoriasis have also been observed in those people with the early stages of HIV infection. Cigarette smokers who also drink alcohol increase their risks of developing psoriasis.
Presently, there is still no recognized remedy for psoriasis. However there are several effective treatment options that can relieve the symptoms. Resisting the temptation to scratch the affected area and keeping it moist is a great start.
The first line of treatments are topical and are applied directly to the affected area with the ultimate goal of trying to stem the production of excess skin cells. Coal tar, salicylic acid, corticosteroids, synthetic vitamin D, tazorac and anthrallin are common localized treatment options as are specially formulated bathing products and moisturizers. For more serious cases where topical treatments maybe ineffectual, systemic medications may be prescribed by the doctor. Phototherapy, where sufferers are exposed to medically-supervised UV radiation is also effectual in the treatment of psoriasis.
