Psoriasis Treatment, Causes, Types, Symptoms, Medication And Facts
Not so many people have any idea what Psoriasis is, maybe because it is not so common. Psoriasis is a skin disease that is occasioned by scaly patches on the skin due to excessive production of skin occurring when one’s immune system has abnormalities therefore speeding up body cells growth. The dead skin builds layers skin forming a crust which can sometimes be itchy. In the attempt to nourish the skin, the flow of blood is increased therefore leading to the redness and swelling.
How this skin disease occurs is yet to be fully understood although it is largely believed to be genetically besides the immune system abnormalities. It can also be boosted mostly by occasional injury to the skin. Though nobody can intentionally cause injury to himself, avoiding to much injury to the skin is indeed advisable. Smoking and alcohol intake should be minimized since they are believed to make the condition worse.
Signs and symptoms of this Psoriasis include bumpy reddish rash on the skin and nails. These rashes are pink at times and can appear on any part of the body including knee caps, elbows, back side, feet, abdomen and other parts. This rashes or may contain pus making them itchy. It is however not contagious and therefore you cannot get or pass it through touching. Chances of developing this condition are high mostly if it runs in your family. Some types of Arthritis are also connected with this disease since in some cases it does cause inflammation of body joints. Arthritis caused by this skin condition is known as Psoriasis Arthritis.
There is no known preventative measure for Psoriasis since nothing much can be done to make the immune system work right. But people with this condition can make prevent it from getting worse by eating balanced diet, not getting to much sun to avoid skin inflammation and keeping the skin moist by using moisturizing lotions. Avoiding large intakes of alcohol also does prevent worsening of the skin condition.
The cure for Psoriasis is yet to be known and therefore makes it more of a lifelong condition. Certain drugs however do make the condition manageable. There are also skin creams that help keep it at bay. The skin rashes which are more of skin scales over a long period of time can also be removed by scrapping them off hence avoiding too much accumulation of the dead skin.
Conclusively, Psoriasis is a condition that can affect even children and although there is no known cure for it, knowing how to deal with it and how to take care of yourself can make it more manageable. Dermatologists can help diagnose and treat this condition. It is therefore important to consult dermatologists and physicians who know how to deal with Psoriasis. This way they can monitor the medications and how they react and therefore make it easy for them to change them whenever possible to deal with the different levels of the skin condition.
What Causes Psoriasis
There are five commonly contracted forms of psoriasis. These are plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and erythrodermic psoriasis. Mainly, most people suffering from psoriasis get a singular type, though one type can alter into another type when stimulated by an external influence, such as a stressful situation or a more serious medical condition. Some triggers that can start a case of psoriasis are strep throat and chicken pox. Often diseases that overburden the immune system can set off a case of psoriasis.
Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) is largely, the most commonly found psoriasis. More than 80% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis. Signs that confirm a strong indication one is afflicted by this type of psoriasis are raised, red patches that will frequently display a white, shiny scaling. These distinct patches are defined as plaques. The first indicator of plaque psoriasis is the arrival of small, red bumps appearing randomly on the body. These plaques often exhibit two distinct pathologies. Often they stay as separate, isolated breakouts. They are known to commonly meld collectively to form a bigger plaque.
The most widespread frequented areas of this type of psoriasis are the elbows, knees, and the lower back. Keep in mind plaque psoriasis is not limited to these areas. It can appear anywhere on the body, particularly the scalp. This is known as scalp psoriasis. One unique feature of this type is that it seldom afflicts the face. Plaques can last for long periods of time. Outbreaks are often attributed to an array of concerns, including stress.
Guttate psoriasis is the next most common type of psoriasis. Widespread small, red spots on the skin are strong indications of guttate psoriasis. Tear shaped spots may be seen during a breakout of this type. These spots are usually an acute situation frequently linked to a bacterial or viral infection. It usually appears on the trunk of the body and the limbs. This type of psoriasis by and large is most often afflicts children and young adults. Many cases of guttate psoriasis are mild and will vanish without treatment. More severe cases may imply treatment and an appointment with your doctor.
Pustular psoriasis is a rare type of psoriasis; pustular psoriasis affects less than 5% of psoriasis sufferers. Symptoms are elevated pustules that are filled with pus. Classic methodology indicates the development of pustules in hours of the skin starting to become. The typical skin eruption occurs in waves. This scenario is a process of scaling and mending in only a few short days. Reappearance is the following phase.
Pustular psoriasis is generally prevalent anywhere on the body. Frequently, it can be alimited occurrence found on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. This is known as palmar-plantar pustulosis. Pustular psoriasis is a serious condition that often can lead to some time in the hospital. This condition occurs most often in adults. Proven triggers are the application of cortisone, strep infections, and hormonal changes such as pregnancy. Patients that choose to pursue a natural healing path may experience an aggravation when getting off of medications that contain steroids.
Erythrodermic psoriasis quite frequently occurs in tandem with pustular psoriasis, while this is not always the situation. Symptoms can be more severe than other forms of psoriasis and exhibit the usual red, inflamed, and scaly flare-up. The intensity comes because this rash can encompass a large part of the body.
In a number of cases the entire body is engulfed. This type of psoriasis is not to taken lightly, as it can be deadly in some cases. This specific psoriasis causes the skin to fail in its ability to regulate temperature. Therefore, it becomes necessary to closely watch the situation. Hospitalization should not be ruled out in severe cases. This is the most agonizing psoriasis that can cause life threatening conditions due to fever, infection, and dehydration. Erythrodermic psoriasis is typically cared with medicine of a topical and/or systemic kind.
Inverse psoriasis is regularly mistaken for a yeast infection (candida). This is because it affects the same conventional areas of the body wherever there are folds in the skin. Some of the common areas affected are below the breasts, armpits, and the genital areas. Inverse psoriasis, also referred to as flexural psoriasis, commonly afflicts people who are heavy with more skin folds that happen to become irritated from constant friction and sweating. Unlike other types of psoriasis, the eruptions will be glossy and shiny with none the typical scaling exhibited by other forms of psoriasis. These patches are notably reddened and tender.
What Causes Psoriasis?
The precise causes of psoriasis are unknown. It is generally believed that psoriasis is a disorder in which factors in the immune system, enzymes, and other materials that regulate skin cell division become damaged. In psoriasis, the T cells (a type of white blood cell) abnormally trigger inflammation in the skin. These T cells also cause skin cells to grow faster than normal and to pile up in raised patches on the outer surface of the skin.
Which factors do influence the most?
Geography and Ethnicity: Climate plays significant role along with hereditary factors. Some studies evidence that the disorder develops earlier and more frequently in colder climates. For example, psoriasis occurs more frequently in African-Americans and in Caucasians who live in colder climates than in people of any ethnicity who live in Africa. Psoriasis is also common in Japanese individuals. It is uncommon in Native Americans of either North or South American descent.
The following factors can trigger psoriasis:
Stress: Stress is one of the more common causes of psoriasis. Even if a person does not have the active form of psoriasis, with no trouble at all, a significant stress may provoke this light condition to transform into chronic disorder with regular outbreaks. Needless to say, that having psoriasis can cause stress itself.
Hard work and over-activity without normal periods of relaxation is also considered to be a risky stress condition.
Cold and Dry Weather: As stated above, people who live in cold climates, suffer from psoriasis more frequently. Cold windy weather dries out your skin, which increases the chance of having a flare-up. In contrast, hot and sunny weather helps to control the symptoms of psoriasis in most people.
Certain Medications: Different drugs, mostly used as a treatment for: bipolar disorder, high blood pressure, heart disease, heart arrhythmias, malaria, and also ibuprofen, which is used to reduce inflammation, can cause flare-ups of psoriasis. In any case, reaction to certain drugs and their influence on psoriasis outbreaks is strictly individual.
Infections or Disease: Certain infections, such as strep throat, can result in guttate psoriasis.
Alcohol and Psoriasis: Abusing alcohol increases the chance of flare-ups, at least in men. Some studies show that drinking alcohol might be dangerous in any portions.
Trauma to the Skin: Traumas to the skin including cuts, bruises, burns, bumps, vaccinations, tattoos and other skin conditions can cause a flare-up of psoriasis symptoms, either at the site of the injury or elsewhere.
Sunlight: Most sufferers consider sunlight to be beneficial for their psoriasis. However, strong sunlight may aggravate the symptoms, and bad sunburn may worsen the condition significantly.
Smoking: Cigarette smokers have an increased risk of chronic plaque psoriasis. It is even more dangerous in combination with alcohol and a bad diet.
Causes & Treatments to Help
Psoriasis is really a persistent inflammatory condition of the immune system. The precise cause is not known, but research workers think that genetics, surroundings, and the immune system can also play a role in psoriasis. It’s long-term, typically lasting for years. Psoriasis isn’t infectious and can be inherited. You cannot get psoriasis from touching a person who has psoriasis, swimming in the same pool, or intimate contact. The most commonly affected areas are the knees and elbows.
This is often very important piece of this theme. For psoriasis sufferers, there’s something of‘good news, bad news’ paradox with which almost all of these people have without doubt already had to learn to live with. What’s promising is that, on the one side, psoriasis isn’t a disease that is terminal (even though it has been indicated that the problem increases the risk of heart attack). Balanced against this however is the fact that psoriasis can bring a good deal of agony to both patients and their families, so it’s not a condition that can be dismissed.
What Causes Psoriasis?
Because it can turn into something far more painful and unpleasant, psoriasis is a problem that patients have got to deal with. Like any medical problem or trouble, there are numerous different ways of addressing or coping with psoriasis, most of which are dependent on pharmaceutical medications while others are totally organic. Furthermore, it typically follows that dealing with any medical problem naturally is the best method of doing things if such procedures are going to be proper and helpful.
Herbal Remedy To Try
Apple Cider Vinegar:
Again according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, numerous individual people report that utilizing apple cider vinegar has led to substantial benefits in their psoriasis. These people advise they add the vinegar to their bath tub, used directly to psoriatic nails and applied directly to the affected areas on the skin using cotton wool balls or buds.
If you like, you can try to attack your psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis internally by adding apple cider vinegar to your eating habits. While most people would find that consuming apple cider vinegar neat is tough going – it’s rather sour or bitter – you possibly can add it to warm water with honey to sweeten the potion prior to consuming it. Use this treatment no less than 2 times per day, and you’re targeting your psoriasis related issue from the inside in the best possible way.
The helpfulness of apple cider vinegar should not be especially surprising since vinegar has been utilized all through history as a therapeutic solution, and the medicinal advantages of apple cider vinegar have been popular for a long time.
What Causes Scalp Psoriasis?
If you suffer from this ailment, you’re probably wondering what causes scalp psoriasis. Although we don’t know exactly what causes psoriasis, we know a lot about controlling the discomfort and pain, as well as preventing outbreaks. There are also some excellent tips to ease the symptoms that you can do yourself.
Psoriasis on the scalp is one of the most common types. Nearly half of all psoriasis sufferers have outbreaks on their forehead and scalp. This abnormal growth can start on your forehead and spread all the way beyond your hairline to cause itchiness and discomfort everywhere.
What are The Symptoms?
Psoriasis on the scalp looks just like psoriasis on any other part of the body. It is red or silver skin that’s flaky and irritated. It itches, burns and sometimes has swelling. A mild case on the scalp may look like dandruff. A proper diagnosis requires an examination by your doctor or a qualified dermatologist. These rashes on the scalp are especially bad because they’re so visible, causing lots of embarrassment in addition to discomfort and pain.
Although researches are still studying the exact causes, quite a bit is known about what creates these rashes. Even more than psoriasis of the body, scalp psoriasis seems to have a definite genetic connection. One-third of all sufferers report having a family member with the condition. However, it tends to skip generations, so it’s tricky to find out the exact relation.
The actual outbreaks are caused by a dysfunction in the immune system. The white blood cells called “T-cells” overreact and cause the skin to shed much more quickly than it usually does. This creates an abnormal growth of the skin cells that forms a rash.
Environmental influences are now what cause scalp psoriasis, but they do trigger outbreaks. These could be allergies to something in the air, the food you eat or drugs that you’re taking. Emotional stress and infections such as strep throat also play a major part. Although the relationship isn’t fully known, research has shown that the condition is related to rheumatoid arthritis.
Scalp Psoriasis Myths
Many people mistakenly associate scalp psoriasis with hair loss. Don’t worry – there is no connection. If you have frequent rashes in the area of your scalp, this does not mean that you’re losing your hair. Furthermore, this condition is not contagious and it is not fungal. It’s not related to subungal onychomycosis, a common nail fungus, or actinic keratosis, a condition caused by exposure to the sun with a high skin cancer risk.
Tips To Ease your Itchy Scalp Pain
One thing that you can do yourself is to get out in the sunshine more. 80% of psoriasis sufferers reported finding that exposure to the sun helped give them relief. Another option is to try light therapy with your dermatologist. This uses highly focused UV rays to achieve the same effect. They have comb-like light therapy devices designed especially for this condition.
You can also use topical treatments. There are over-the-counter creams or steroid medications that you can get from your doctor. Because most creams are too heavy to use on your forehead, they make ones that are specifically designed for scalp outbreaks. There is also topical shampoo.
Hair dryers have been found to aggravate scalp outbreaks, so start drying your hair naturally and make sure to use plenty of moisturizer. A good ingredient to look for in your moisturizers is aloe Vera. It’s all-natural and produces great results.
These are just a few simple things you can do to relieve symptoms. If you suffer from this condition, you can get relief and make the painful and unsightly rash disappear. We may not know exactly what causes scalp psoriasis, but we’ve got some great solutions for treating and preventing it.
What Psoriasis Treatments Are Available?
Topical Treatments
These are treatment such as creams and ointments that are applied directly to the skin and may improve its condition. Some tropicals are stronger than others, and while weaker ones may be soothing, they are not strong enough to improve the skin. They are usually combined with stronger therapies.
Light Therapy (Phototherapy)
Light therapy uses natural or artificial ultraviolet light. The simplest form of light therapy involves exposing your skin to controlled amounts of natural light. Artificial forms of light therapy include: Ultraviolet a UVA light Ultraviolet B UVB light
These are used either alone or in combination with medications and can stop what causes psoriasis.
Systemic Treatments
Systemic treatments are usually reserved for severe cases of psoriasis. Systemic treatments are usually administered by mouth, in pill form, or through the veins by injection.
Combination Therapy
Depending on a person’s specific circumstances, different treatment approaches may be used together in order to optimize results. Here is one such product that has had a lot of positive feedback.
Taking Care to Prevent and Minimize Psoriasis Skin care tips
In addition to taking your medication, there are number of things you can do to help improve your control of psoriasis.
What to avoid-Avoid trauma to your skin, whether it’s from tight fitting clothing, chemicals (harsh detergent), bruises, burns, etc.
Try not to scratch. Scratching removes scalp/plaques and this can worsen your psoriasis.
Doesn’t smoke – research show a link between psoriasis and smoking.
If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation – heavy drinking can trigger psoriasis.
What to do-Eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep.
Moisturize your skin to help combat dry skin and itching. Your physician or pharmacist can advise you on specific brands.
Know your triggers – knowing what to avoid can reduce flare ups.
Use sunscreen – while sunlight can be good for your psoriasis, sunburn is not.