Psoriasis is the second-most common skin disease worldwide, the first being acne. Equally disfiguring as acne, psoriasis does not affect the face but is characterized by scaling and swelling, often accompanied by itching of the scalp, elbows and knees. But before we examine the disease in detail, let’s get down to some psoriasis basics.

Simply put the condition results from excessive production of skin cells that build up and form scaly, itchy patches on the skin’s surface.

A non-contagious skin disease, the word psoriasis is derived from the Greek word psora which simply means “itch”. Approximately 125 million people in the world suffer from psoriasis, that is, 3% of the population.

Psoriasis does not discriminate between the sexes and affects men and women equally. Though it can strike at any age, adults are more prone to it. It is a long-term and recurring disease, with no known way to prevent it.

Types of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a catch-call term as the disease manifests itself in different ways varying with nature, severity and part of the body that it afflicts. Plaque psoriasis or psoriasis vulgaris is the most common, accounting for 90% of all cases.

It is marked by red and scaly patches on the scalp, arms, legs, elbows, knees and genitals. These patches or lesions are usually chronic.

Then there’s guttate psoriasis (droplike) psoriasis that commonly affects children and adolescents. It looks like red and bumpy drops of water on the skin and often follows a throat or lung infection.

Seborrheic psoriasis manifests itself on the scalp and mimics a severe case of dandruff, with patches of thick and flaky skin spreading on to the forehead.

Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis is quite rare and has skin patches covered with small pimples or pustules. Inverse psoriasis affects areas of the body with skin folds, such as armpits, groin and under the breasts and resembles a fungal infection.

As if suffering from the disease is not bad enough, suffering is intensified in palmoplantar psoriasis, which strikes the palms and soles of the feet.

Research on psoriasis basics will tell you that psoriasis is thought to be hereditary, since 40%, and is caused by an abnormality in the immune system.

Usually, new skin cells take a month to rise to the top layer of the skin or epidermis, before they die and are shed. In psoriasis, this process takes only 3-4 days! Since the body cannot shed the cells at that pace, they collect on the skin surface, leading to scaly, raised patches or plaques.

Psoriasis Triggers

Did you know that stress is a major trigger of psoriasis? Certain infections like streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), thrush, boils, viral upper respiratory infections and HIV are known to precipitate the disease.

Other triggers are skin injury, diet and climatic changes that cause the skin to dehydrate. Reaction to certain medicines such as lithium and anti-malarial drugs can also cause psoriasis to flare up. Less common causes are hormones, smoking and excess alcohol intake.

Symptoms in general vary from mild to severe, and most types of psoriasis go through cycles of waxing and waning. Also, something that triggers a flare-up in one person may not affect another person.

The good news is that though there is no cure, there are many effective ways to treat and manage psoriasis.

Topical Treatment

Psoriasis can be treated with topical therapy that includes a wide range of ointments and lotions containing corticosteroids, synthetic forms of vitamin A and D, and even good old-fashioned coal tar.

Coal tar has been effectively used to treat psoriasis for more than 150 years and is still an ingredient in many topical applications that serve mainly to reduce swelling and inflammation and suppress the immune system.

Phototherapy is another treatment, where the affected skin is exposed to a particular wavelength of ultraviolet light.

 For severe cases of psoriasis, systemic therapy is required. There are all kinds of drugs and injections used such as Vitamin A derivatives, cyclosporine and methotrexate, but they cause a multitude of side effects. A more recent and safer alternative is the use of biologic agents.

Considering the various manifestations of the disease, it is important to get your psoriasis basics right before opting for a specific line of treatment.

All about Psoriasis Basics is a post from: Skincare