There are many health, wellness and personal grooming options to explore using advise from your dermatologist, and resources found online and in your library or bookstore. This article can lead you to some resources and tips for designing a treatment plan for your psoriasis that will fit your lifestyle.

The skincare regimen you follow daily will depend on the climate, your time available, and your cash flow. Your dermatologist can guide you in selecting the products right for your skin. The most important product other than any topical ointments prescribed by your doctor, is your moisturizer. Make sure your moisturizer contains the right combination of emollients and water-binding agents. They should also include a sunscreen, anti-irritants, and antioxidants. Moisturizers can be applied after any topical medication has dried.

Creams are usually the best because they keep the moisture close to your skin longer than ointments or lotions. Ointments usually contain more essential therapeutic ingredients and less water, and lotions are non-greasy and lightweight and more easily absorbed by the skin. Ointments can stain your clothes. Always avoid lotions that contain alcohol, as that will dry your skin, which is the opposite of what you want.

Ask your dermatologist for skin cleanser recommendations, especially before buying over-the-counter preparations. Always read labels and avoid those with irritants like scents, and alcohol.

Individuals with psoriasis report living a happier lifestyle when they take the focus off their skin and onto living the style of life that makes them happy. They do not let psoriasis control them; they control the disease as much as possible by understanding it, and the things that trigger flare-ups. They learn how to put others at ease around them when they notice the psoriasis. They learn to make use of resources to further understand how to cope with situations that arise such as dating, or facing a room full of clients all while controlling a psoriasis flare-up.

Having a chronic disease such as psoriasis does not have to define who you are, nor should it alter your lifestyle. Diseases, even incurable ones like this one, can be treated in a manner so as to be able to continue the lifestyle you are used to. You may need to make adjustments, make room for appointments and treatments; but the bottom line is that when life throws you a bowl of lemons, you make the best darn lemonade you can with them.

Resources:

Books

Psoriasis: The Struggle and the Triumph: A Healthy Transformation for Everyone Living with Psoriasis by Elliott Douglas Derzaph

Psoriasis: Everything You Need to Know (Your Personal Health) by Richard G.B. Langley

Website

The National Psoriasis Foundation

www.psoriasis.org/

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Psoriasis is a disorder of the skin that affects over 6 million people in the United States alone. Research has not definitively established what exactly causes psoriasis, but recent studies have indicated that it may be an immune mediated disorder. Psoriasis occurs when the body generates too many skin cells and may change from one type to another within a matter of days. It may improve, flare up, and even go into remission only to return at a later date. When alternative treatments are used in conjunction with other treatments the patient is given a feeling of control over the negative mental aspects associated with psoriasis. Weather is another strong factor in triggering psoriasis. Exposure to direct sunlight tends to help improve psoriasis, but cold and shorter days, as seen in the winter months, can trigger the rash to worsen.

Psoriasis is a common skin condition where the skin develops areas which become thick and covered with silvery scales. A common problem in the United States, the course of psoriasis varies greatly, but in most sufferers it is a chronic problem which continues for many years. The presence of psoriasis can cause emotional distress in most sufferers. Considered a skin disorder, psoriasis is actually the result of a disordered immune system. The T-cells are a type of white blood cell and become over stimulated. The cells then direct the skin to attempt to heal a non-existent injury. The skin reacts in the same way it does when there is a fungus infection present. It then grows very quickly, trying to grow the infection off of the skin. These areas then become the reddened and inflamed patches with white scale on them.

There are several ways in which psoriasis may start. In most sufferers, psoriasis is inherited, typically through multiple genes. It is not always clear from whom one inherits it as inherited psoriasis usually starts in older childhood or as a young adult. In some cases, children may be stricken with psoriasis due to a virus or strep throat which triggers a brief attack of tiny spots of psoriasis. Psoriasis flare ups are often triggered by changes in climate, stress, infections, excess alcohol, or a drug related rash and dry skin. Medications may trigger a flare up weeks to months after starting them and may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. All treatments used for widespread, severe psoriasis have side effects when used for a long period of time. In this case the treating physician will switch to another treatment.

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Nail psoriasis affects the fingernails and toenails and is another type of psoriasis. Most people who suffer from psoriasis of the nails also have skin psoriasis which is also called coetaneous psoriasis. Psoriasis of the nails occurs in fewer than 5% of people who do not have skin psoriasis. Psoriasis of the nails involves any of a number of changes to the nail area. Clear yellow-red nail discoloring that looks like a drop of blood under the nail plate may occur. Little pits may form in the nails. These pits develop when cells are lost from the nail’s surface. Lines may form across the nails and areas of white on the nail plate may also be present.

Inverse psoriasis involves bright red and smooth patches which are found in the folds of the skin, most commonly under the breasts, in the armpits, near genitals, and under the buttocks. The inflamed areas are aggravated by sweat and skin rubbing together in the folds of skin. Yeast overgrowth may trigger the skin lesions of psoriasis. Several topical creams and ointments are available to treat inverse psoriasis. Corticosteroids, derivatives of vitamin D3, retinoids, coal tar, or anthralin are typically used to relieve itching and redness. Another issue for psoriasis sufferers is that these moist irritated areas can be prime areas for yeast and other fungal infections.

The least common type of psoriasis is called erythrodermic psoriasis and can be quite serious. Very large areas of the body are bright red and inflamed and may appear to be covered in a red and peeling rash. The rash usually itches or burns and the increased blood flow can put a large strain on the heart. Both topical and systemic medications can be used to treat erythrodermic psoriasis and combination therapies of medications may also be used. Antibiotics may also be used to prevent or stop the infection. People with this type of psoriasis become prone to dehydration, infection, and fever requiring hospitalization. Pustular psoriasis is an uncommon form of psoriasis. People with this type of psoriasis have clearly defined, raised bumps on the skin that are filled with pustules. The skin under and around the bumps is reddish and may cause large portions of the skin to redden and change.

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Kids

It is unusual for kids younger than fifteen to have psoriasis but it does happen. Kids due to their age and inability to comprehend matters of disease need the adults in their life to support them and guide them through the process of dealing with the symptoms of psoriasis and in getting through the treatments. Kids will have lots of questions that need answers that are age appropriate. Kids who have psoriasis are not the only one asking questions. Their classmates and friends will also ask lots of questions when they notice the psoriasis. Role-playing how to deal with questions can help prepare your child to handle questions by others.

Making friends and dealing with situations like school is tough enough without having a disease that gives you a physical reason to stick out and be different from all the other kids. Give kids the tools they need by providing them with information they can understand and by practicing with them how to share this information with others.

Teens

This is a very social stage of life when dating starts and school is full of peer-pressure and situations where scrutiny is rampant. Something like psoriasis that sticks out and is ultra noticeable makes the teen with psoriasis a subject of ridicule, cruelty and possible shunning. This is a time when hormone levels are out of whack and can trigger psoriasis flare-ups. Emotions usually run high as boy/girls relations are explored. Emotions are another trigger for a teen with psoriasis. Support groups can be very beneficial for the teen. In group sessions teens will meet other teens with psoriasis and be able to share stories, tips and give support to each other.

Parents and Siblings

The best arsenal parents have in the fight for their child or teen’s right to comfort and protection against a disease that is chronic is to arm them with information and gather a support network for themselves and for their son or daughter. There are many resources to turn to when gathering information such as the doctor or dermatologist that is treating your child/teen. Seek out support groups for parents of those with psoriasis. Look around your community for psoriasis organizations, and discover what books and magazines that your local library has to offer. Many psoriasis organizations have Websites that can offer information and support.

Siblings depending on age also need to understand about the disease so that they can cope with curious friends, and live with a sibling who may be difficult to live with at times during flare-ups or when treatments become stressful.

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There are several ways in which psoriasis may start. In most sufferers, psoriasis is inherited, typically through multiple genes. It is not always clear from whom one inherits it as inherited psoriasis usually starts in older childhood or as a young adult. In some cases, children may be stricken with psoriasis due to a virus or strep throat which triggers a brief attack of tiny spots of psoriasis. Psoriasis flare ups are often triggered by changes in climate, stress, infections, excess alcohol, or a drug related rash and dry skin. Medications may trigger a flare up weeks to months after starting them and may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Psoriasis tends to be worst in those with a disordered immune system for other reasons including cancer, AIDS, or other autoimmune diseases. Psoriasis areas are made worse by scratching or by minor skin injuries or irritations. Psoriasis may itch or burn and most often occurs over the elbows, knees, lower back, scalp, and palms or soles of the feet. The skin may split or crack in areas that bend. There are several forms of psoriasis, the most common form showing reddened areas a few inches across covered by silvery scales. Psoriasis may also affect certain joints causing discomfort and restricted motion or even distortion. This occurs in approximately 10% of people with psoriasis and is called psoriatic arthritis.

Treatment for psoriasis is based on the severity of the disease and its responsiveness to prior treatments. Topical medication is the lowest level of treatment and is applied to the skin. Treatments from each level are often combined or switched around every 12 to 24 months to reduce resistance and adverse reactions. A treatment plan that is effective for one person may fail for another so trial and error and personal preferences often guide the course of treatment. Over time, psoriasis tends to resist its treatments. The locations, size and amount of psoriasis, prior treatments, and the specific form of the disorder are factored into treatment options. Psoriasis sufferers may also find that a medicated bath may help soothe the skin, remove scales and help to reduce itching. These baths are done by soaking for 15 minutes in oatmeal, Epsom salts or Dead Sea salts.

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There ways to handle depression so that the psoriasis does not have to stop you from being able to function in society.

The important first step to take is to consult with a doctor and ask questions about how you are feeling.

You can head off thoughts of depression if you can first recognize what they are:

Statements that are negative about your self-image, your skin, or how others see you.

Saying that you have no control over your life

The next step is to address your depression and make it part of your treatment plan. This way a professional can monitor it.

Examine your thought patterns for negativity

Individuals in depression often “catastrophize”, which means they make things seem a lot worse than they really are; including the condition of their skin.

Taking the focus off of the skin and onto keeping busy with activities and making plans to stay active at work, play, and school will give less time for negative thoughts that fuel depression.

Depression can be treated with medications and psychotherapy. Once coping skills are learned and applied, life seems better and less depressing.

A mirror is an excellent depression-blocking tool. Standing in front of the mirror and listing all of the good qualities and accomplishments that you know to be true about yourself reminds you that there is more to “you” than your skin. Seeing the total you, get the focus off your skin and onto the deeper identity that others will soon see too.

Recognize the actions of depression and try to catch yourself in time to reverse the action into a positive one such as: slouching is what I do in school when I am depressed about my skin…. when I catch myself beginning to slouch, I can think of something good about myself and sit back up.

Behavior can send signals to your brain. If you are acting depressed your brain will monitor the actions and interpret the actions and determine that you are depressed. By changing your behavior your brain will get messages that speak of positive body posture and positive body image like self-confidence and pride.

One tool for monitoring your body language is to imagine that someone you care about or value his or her opinion is watching you and making a movie of your daily actions. Be sure to act in a way that will make them proud of you as you go about your day. Do this on a daily basis and soon your actions will come automatic and will help to make your depression dissipate.

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Scalp psoriasis commonly occurs on the back of the head however multiple areas of the scale or the entire scalp may also be affected. Scalp psoriasis is characterized by thick silvery and while scales on patches of very red skin. These patches may extend slightly beyond the hairline. Scalp psoriasis, despite being partially hidden by the hair, is often a source of social embarrassment due to flaking of the scalp and severe dandruff. Scalp psoriasis may be extremely itchy and can also cause temporary baldness on the affected areas. It is a common, chronic, inflammatory skin disease and can be associated an increased risk of melanoma and basal cell carcinoma.

There are several treatment options available to sufferers of psoriasis, some work better for one type of psoriasis than others. It is highly recommended that if someone is suffering from psoriasis they do a liver cleanse. A good cleanse should be done to help speed the healing process in addition to the other benefits gained. Although the underlying cause of psoriasis is not knows, it is known that an unhealthy immune system plays a huge role in psoriasis, as well as a possible faulty utilization of fat. Toxins in the colon may also aid in psoriasis development.

There are many natural ways that can help to aid in preventing and controlling psoriasis. Adding two teaspoons of ginger to bath water is an age old remedy used to fight many skin and stomach conditions. Those who suffer from severe redness and swelling of the skin should lightly brush off the scales with an abrasive sponge and apply an alcohol free goldenseal extract to the skin to help relieve symptoms. Sea water is also considered a natural mineral treatment for many skin conditions. Applied to the affected area several times a day with a cotton ball is a wonderful way to naturally help psoriasis. While too much sun can be very detrimental to a sufferer of psoriasis, a healthy amount of sun may help reduce the scaling and redness of the skin. Exposure to the sun for 15 to 30 minutes a day may prove to be very beneficial.

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Psoriasis is not just a disease that affects your skin, it affects your emotions as well and can be very uncomfortable even painful. Psoriasis can be mild or it can be severe. You can have just a small patch of it or it can cover your entire body. Psoriasis can be anywhere on your body that has skin covering it including elbows, knees, your scalp, lower back, your face, the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet, finger nails and toe nails, your neck, ears, even your genitals.

You cannot catch psoriasis by touching someone who has it or by any direct or indirect method, not by touching his or her clothing or by touching equipment that someone with psoriasis touched. You cannot get psoriasis from someone who has it period. Psoriasis is not contagious. It is not entirely certain as to how exactly you do get psoriasis. Researchers and scientist do agree though, that even though the cause is not certain, they do know that the immune system and genetics play a role in who can be affected by psoriasis.

The immune system helps to protect your body and scientists believe that individuals who have psoriasis have immune systems that do not work properly. They believe that when a person has psoriasis their immune system produces too many t cells and that can trigger inflammation and excessive amounts of skin cell reproduction. They also believe that psoriasis can be inherited by studying genes of those who have psoriasis.

Conditions can cause flare-ups of psoriasis such as weather changes; infections in the body, certain drugs, dry skin and even stress can trigger a flare-up of psoriasis.

People with psoriasis will have times when the skin condition will improve and other times when it will worsen.

Psoriasis can be diagnosed when you make an appointment to see your doctor or dermatologist. Clinical observation is usually all it takes to make the diagnosis, although in rare cases a skin biopsy may be ordered to rule out other diseases or conditions.

There are several forms of psoriasis and each form has a different characteristic and also some similarities.

Erythrodermic psoriasis is a wide spreading and red, scaly looking area of skin that is often very itchy or painful if scratched. Sometimes sunburn can trigger this kind of psoriasis. Individuals who use oral steroids can sometimes trigger a flare-up of this form of psoriasis.

Guttate psoriasis may be triggered by viral respiratory infections or by bacterial (streptococcal) infections and usually appear on the chest area, arms, legs, and scalp. Lesions characterize it.

Inverse psoriasis covers a large area of skin and is usually dry and smooth with vivid red plaques that can cover folds of skin near the genitals or under the breasts, or in the armpits. This type of psoriasis is triggered by sensitivity to irritation and sweating.

Pustular Psoriasis is usually confused with acne because it looks like pus-filled acne that appears over reddened skin. The pus is not infectious. This form of psoriasis can be triggered by exposure to sunlight, infections, certain medication, perspiration, emotional stress, exposure to chemicals and also pregnancy.

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In an immune system that functions normally, white blood cells produce antibodies to bacteria and viruses. These white blood cells also produce chemicals which help to aid in healing and fighting infective agents. Psoriasis causes special white blood cells, called T-cells, to become overactive. T-cells attack the skin which sets off a series of events which make the skin cells multiply quickly enough so they start to stack up on the surface of the skin. Normal skin cells are typically sloughed off every thirty days, but in plaque psoriasis the skin goes through the entire process in three to six days.

Psoriasis is a very complicated skin disorder which is a chronic condition. Psoriasis is caused by one or more mutations in certain genes which trigger cells in the immune system to attack the skin. There are several environmental factors which can trigger a psoriasis flare up. Certain injuries to the skin can cause the formation of a psoriasis patch and may also occur in other skin diseases, including eczema. Types of injuries that may trigger a flare include sunburns, viral rashes, drug rashes, increased friction from clothing or skin rubbing against skin in folds, or mild abrasion.

Weather is another strong factor in triggering psoriasis. Exposure to direct sunlight tends to help improve psoriasis, but cold and shorter days, as seen in the winter months, can trigger the rash to worsen. Psychological stress has been a common trigger for psoriasis flares, but studies are still unclear as to why this occurs. Daily hassles of everyday life can trigger a flare as well, which is understandably frustrating for those who suffer from psoriasis. Low levels of calcium have also been reported to trigger a psoriasis flare up, but low levels of vitamin D do not trigger a flare up.

There are several different types of psoriasis, including plaque psoriasis which is the most common type. Plaque psoriasis usually appears as thick, flaky patches of skin on one or more parts of the body. Sometimes the patches that affect the skin are large and may occur anywhere on the body. Plaque psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body and the common body parts affected are elbows, knees, scalp, arms and legs. These patches usually do not itch, but will become inflamed if scratched. Guttate psoriasis usually affects children and young adults and appears as small red bumps. These bumps appear suddenly, often after several weeks after an infection such as strep throat. All treatments used for widespread, severe psoriasis have side effects when used for a long period of time. In this case the treating physician will switch to another treatment.

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Those with psoriasis feel discomfort during flare-ups. Affected skin may bleed, crack and itch. The discomfort can even keep the individual up at night. The pain can make everyday activities difficult. There is no cure for psoriasis. The disease is life-long and can have remissions followed by more flare-ups.

Treatment is designed around the severity and type of the psoriasis. Most individuals have it mild but some can be severe causing disability. Medications used are topical, oral or systemic. Light therapy using UV rays in the doctor’s office can be done when medications are not effective.

Psoriasis is not contagious, so coming in contact with the skin or clothing of someone with psoriasis cannot give you the disease. Scientists and researchers believe that there is a genetic component to psoriasis, as it tends to run in families. Psoriasis typically first appears between the ages of 15 and 35 but it can appear at any age, even infants have been born with the disease.

Most of the individuals who contract psoriatic arthritis start out with psoriasis and later in life start the symptoms for arthritis. Only approximately 15% of those with psoriatic arthritis will develop the arthritis first and then later the psoriasis.

Psoriasis is actually one of the most oldest known skin conditions dating back to around 35 A.D. After all this time there is still no known cause for psoriasis. There has been much research done to help us understand more about the disease. Much of the research has been done on determining is there is immune system involvement so genes are studied as well as family history.

Psoriasis can have a major affect on the individual’s life both physically and emotionally. Socially, psoriasis can be embarrassing and can make forming relationships difficult especially in the teen years. Studies show that anxiety; embarrassment, loneliness, low self-esteem and stress are common emotional factors for those with psoriasis. Those with psoriasis are 3 times higher than the general population for suicide.

Research is important not only to understand the disease but also to develop new therapies such as recent medication development with biologic agents. Biologic agents have shown to greatly improve the quality of life in those who have participated in these studies.

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