Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects approximately one in fifty adults while at the same time causing significant psychological distress to those folks that are afflicted with the problem. One of the more interesting discoveries related to what causes psoriasis skin disease is that its onset is rooted in the body’s immune system.
Common psoriasis symptoms include skin that is salmon colored, cracked, tender and irritated. One of the more common types is called plaque psoriasis where the afflicted area develops oval, round or irregular formed patches covered with cracked, silver colored skin. The shape and sizes of the patches varies widely and individual smaller areas can merge together to form one bigger 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.
Affected skin can be extremely sore and frequently has a burning sensation. There are no hard and fast rules as to how long any particular flare-up will last. It could disappear within a week but then again, you may be suffering for weeks on end. Since psoriasis is classified as a long-term condition, the prospects of recurrent flare-ups in the same or different area of the body are very high.
Even though any part of the torso can be affected by psoriasis, the most common areas are the hands, scalp, trunk, elbows and knees. Flare-ups tend to be symmetrical, meaning that both sides of the body will experience flare-ups in identical areas at the same time.
Hereditary factors play some part in psoriasis which means that those individuals with parents or grandparents who have had psoriasis have an increased chance that they will develop it also. For reasons that are not yet fully understood, T-cells, which are required by our bodies to produce infection fighting white blood cells, cause inflammation of the skin. These same cells also set off 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 surface of the skin. To nourish these extra skin cells, an increased blood supply is necessary which results in the red look.
Although not the causes of psoriasis, common triggers include sunlight, streptococcal infections and injuries, both past and present, to the skin. Anxiousness and stress can also trigger an outbreak as can alterations in hormone levels. Higher incidences of psoriasis have also been noted in those people with the early stages of HIV infection. Folks who smoke cigarettes who also consume alcohol increase their risks of developing psoriasis.
Presently, there is still no known cure for psoriasis. However there are several effective treatment choices that can ease the symptoms. Resisting the temptation to scratch the affected area and keeping it moist is a great start.
Topical treatments are used initially with the goal of slowing down the excess production of skin cells. Commonly applied topical treatments include anthrallin, coal tar, corticosteroids, salicylic acid and synthetic vitamin D. There are also a selection of specially produced skin moisturizers and bathing products. Systemic medications are prescribed to address more serious cases. Another effectual means of treating psoriasis is with the use of phototherapy, where, under strict medical supervision, the sufferer is exposed to ultra violet radiation.