November 1, 2009
Understanding What Psoriasis Means To You
 |
There are five types of psoriasis that can affect your skin. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis and is characterized by red patches of skin that has raised lesions that are covered... |
There are five types of psoriasis that can affect your skin. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis and is characterized by red patches of skin that has raised lesions that are covered with silvery-white scale. These plaques can appear on the elbows, knees, and also the lower back. Guttate psoriasis looks like small, red spots on the skin. Pustular psoriasis is pus filled pimples on the skin surrounded by red skin. Inverse psoriasis is smooth in appearance, red lesions that appear in the folds of your skin. Erythrodermic psoriasis appears in large areas of the skin, itches severely and is painful.
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.
Leave a Comment or Ask a Question