Psoriasis
“Psoriasis” is a non-contagious common skin stipulation which causes speedy skin cell reproduction ensuing in dry, red patch of thickened skin. The skin scales and dry flakes result from the rapid reproduction of skin cells. It generally affects the skin of the knees, elbows and scalp. Some people do not realize that they have medical skin condition as they suffer from mild psoriasis (small faint dry patches on the skin) while others suffer from a severe one where nearly the entire body is covered with chunky red, flaky skin. Psoriasis is well thought to be a long term (chronic), non curable skin condition. It has an unpredictable course, occasionally worsening and improving. At times psoriasis may clear and stay in diminution for years. The symptoms may worsen for some people in the winter season.
An improvement is reported by many people in warm climate or months or when exposed to sunlight. This medical condition is seen in both sexes of all races worldwide. While psoriasis is seen in population of all age, be it babies or senior citizens but most patients are usually diagnosed first, during their early adult years. Patients with more chronic psoriasis may face job stress, social embarrassment, emotional distress or other personal issues due to the look of their skin.
Causes of Psoriasis
The precise cause of this medical condition is unknown but there may be many combining factors which may include environmental factors and genetic inclination. It is common that psoriasis is found in the members of the same family. It is considered that the immune system plays an important role in this disease.
Symptoms of Psoriasis
Psoriasis usually looks like pink or red area of dry, thickened and raised skin. It typically affects the areas above the knees, elbows, and scalp. Fundamentally any are of the body may be affected. Majority of the time it tends to affect common in areas of strain, use, repeat rubbing or abrasions. Psoriasis has a lot of diverse appearances. It could be big flakes of dry skin or pink mildly dry skin that peels off, red patches, small flattened bumps or thick large plaques of raised skin. There many various types of psoriasis guttate psoriasis (drop like small spots), pustular psoriasis (small blisters like liquid-filled yellowish spots), inverse psoriasis (in the folds of the buttocks, navel and underarms) and the most common type of all psoriasis vulgaris. In addition to the above, palmoplantar psoriasis a separate entity that affects the soles and palms.
Many a times, tiny blood spot is caused on the skin, when a small dry white flake is pulled off. In the medical term it is referred to Auspitz sign a special diagnostic sign. Genital lesions, especially on the penis’s head are common. Psoriasis may look like red flat patches in moist areas of navel or the interlineal folds (area between the buttocks). These may be confused with other skin infections like fungal, or bacterial Staph infections, skin irritation or yeast infection. Nail psoriasis may look like a white spot or pinpoint depression (small pits) on the nails or large yellowish brown separations of nail bed which are called “oil spots”. This can be wrongly diagnosed or confused to a fungal infection. It’s difficult to distinguish between seborrhea (dandruff) or scalp psoriasis as psoriasis on the scalp looks like a severe dandruff with red areas of skin and dry flakes. Nevertheless, the treatment is a lot similar for both conditions.
Treatment Methods for Psoriasis
Psoriasis has many effective treatments to choice from. The best treatment is independently dogged by the physician who is treating and depends on the severity, the disease type, and the area of the body that is affected by it. If the disease is mild and only a small area is involved (not more than 10 percent of the skin) relevant (cream applied to the skin) creams, sprays and lotions may be safe and effect to use. Sporadically, a diminutive local injection of steroids given directly into the resistant or tough isolated psoriasis plaque can be of some help. When a large area of the body is involved (20 percent or more of the skin), relevant product may be ineffective or impractical to apply. Such cases usually require complete body treatments like light treatment, pills or injections. There is a possibility of high risk with strong medication. Complete medication which can prevent the progression of disease is required for psoriatic arthritis as topical therapies are ineffective.
With any kind of medical condition, it is important to understand that all medication pose certain side effect. No medication is 100 percent safe or effective for everybody. A thorough consideration and discussion with the physician is required in order to use the medication. For each type of psoriasis, the potential benefit and risk of the medication is ought to be considered as each individual patient differs. Few patients are not worried by the symptoms of their skin and may not want to go for any treatment. On the other hand there may be patients who are worried at even a tiny patch of psoriasis as they want to keep their skin clear. As every patient is different, the treatment choices depend on the wish and goals of the patient. “Rotational Therapy” also known as “Changing cycles of psoriasis treatments “is mainly an effective approach to psoriasis. A number of dermatologists recommend this practice to minimize the side effect of any one kind of therapy. For example, if a patient has been using oral methotrexate for three years, it may be practical to stop the usage of oral methotrexate and begin with a biologic injectable medication or light therapy for sometime. The collective damage to the liver is minimized by switching to a medication which doesn’t adversely affect the liver. In another case a patient who is using strong relevant steroids for two years, it may be beneficial for him to stop using the steroid for some time and switch to another therapy like an injectable biologic, light therapy or calcipotriene (Dovonex).
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