Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition affecting approximately 4.5 million people in the United States.
New skin cells grow too rapidly, resulting in inflamed, swollen, scaly patches of skin in areas where the old skin has not shed quickly enough.
Psoriasis can be limited to a few spots or can involve more extensive areas of the body, appearing most commonly on the scalp, knees, elbows and trunk.
Psoriasis is not a contagious disease.
The cause of psoriasis is unknown, and there currently is no cure.
Psoriasis can strike people at any age, but the average age of onset is approximately 28 years. Likewise, it affects both men and women, with a slightly higher prevalence in women than in men.
Approximately 30 percent of people with psoriasis are estimated to have moderate-to-severe forms of the disease.
Psoriasis can be a physically and emotionally painful condition. It often results in physical limitations, disfiguration and a significant burden in managing the daily care of the disease.
Psoriasis sufferers may feel embarrassed, angry, frustrated, fearful, depressed and, in some cases, even suicidal.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Friday, November 19, 2004
Determining The Best Psoriasis Treatment
Treatment of psoriasis is determined by the location, severity and history of psoriasis in each individual. There is no one method of treatment, for each person with psoriasis may respond differently.
One main objective of treatment is to slow down the more rapid than usual growth rate of the skin cells. The rapid growth rate of skin cells causes the red, scaly psoriasis patches. The underlying cause of this increased skin growth is not yet known.
For patients with minimal psoriasis, therapy is limited to topical medications that are drugs applied to the skin.
For patients with moderate to widespread psoriasis, topical treatments are often combined with ultraviolet light therapy. Either sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light therapy can be used. If topical and ultraviolet light therapy are not effective, or are not practical, systemic or oral medications can be used. These may be combined with ultraviolet light therapy, the so-called photo-chemotherapy or PUVA therapy.
In severe cases and unresponsive cases of psoriasis, there are oral medications that slow down the growth rate of skin which are helpful. These drugs can have significant side effects and have to be used with the proper safeguard and caution. Even these strong drugs do not cure psoriasis but only help to control the disease.
One main objective of treatment is to slow down the more rapid than usual growth rate of the skin cells. The rapid growth rate of skin cells causes the red, scaly psoriasis patches. The underlying cause of this increased skin growth is not yet known.
For patients with minimal psoriasis, therapy is limited to topical medications that are drugs applied to the skin.
For patients with moderate to widespread psoriasis, topical treatments are often combined with ultraviolet light therapy. Either sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light therapy can be used. If topical and ultraviolet light therapy are not effective, or are not practical, systemic or oral medications can be used. These may be combined with ultraviolet light therapy, the so-called photo-chemotherapy or PUVA therapy.
In severe cases and unresponsive cases of psoriasis, there are oral medications that slow down the growth rate of skin which are helpful. These drugs can have significant side effects and have to be used with the proper safeguard and caution. Even these strong drugs do not cure psoriasis but only help to control the disease.
Friday, November 12, 2004
Treating Psoriasis with Moisture
Preventative psoriasis treatment puts a major emphasis on keeping the skin well moisturized.
Drinking plenty of water will aid in keeping the body and the skin well hydrated. When water isn't enough, moisturize!
Moisturizers or emollients including bath oils, soap substitutes can be applied to the areas of psoriasis as frequently as required to relieve itching, scaling and dryness.
Emollients should also be used on the unaffected skin to reduce dryness. Emollient therapy helps to restore one of the skin's most important functions, which is to form a barrier to prevent bacteria and viruses getting into the body and therefore help to prevent a rash becoming infected.
Emollients are safe and rarely cause an allergic reaction.
Occasionally, products with lanolin may cause a reaction. Ideally, moisturizers should be applied three to four times a day. Apply in a gentle downward motion in the direction of hair growth to prevent accumulation of cream around the hair follicle (this can cause infection of the follicle).
Drinking plenty of water will aid in keeping the body and the skin well hydrated. When water isn't enough, moisturize!
Moisturizers or emollients including bath oils, soap substitutes can be applied to the areas of psoriasis as frequently as required to relieve itching, scaling and dryness.
Emollients should also be used on the unaffected skin to reduce dryness. Emollient therapy helps to restore one of the skin's most important functions, which is to form a barrier to prevent bacteria and viruses getting into the body and therefore help to prevent a rash becoming infected.
Emollients are safe and rarely cause an allergic reaction.
Occasionally, products with lanolin may cause a reaction. Ideally, moisturizers should be applied three to four times a day. Apply in a gentle downward motion in the direction of hair growth to prevent accumulation of cream around the hair follicle (this can cause infection of the follicle).
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Facts And Causes Surrounding Psoriasis
There are many beliefs as to the cause of psoriasis.
Although no one knows for sure, many scientists believe that a biochemical stimulus triggers the abnormally high skin growth which will in turn cause the skin lesions (National Psoriasis Foundation).
Heredity also plays a role in the development of psoriasis. Individuals who have a family member with a severe case of psoriasis tend to experience early onset of the disease (Camisa 55).
Recent research studies indicate that psoriasis may be a disorder of the immune system. The T cell, a white blood cell, normally works to fight off infection and disease. Scientists believe that having an abnormal immune system may cause abnormal activity by T cells in the skin. These abnormally active T cells cause skin inflammation and increased cell production.
Diet and vitamin influences are thought to play a role in psoriasis development and progression of psoriasis. (Kligman 729).
Because psoriasis is a lifelong condition, the levels of its severity and improvement can fluctuate over time.
Psoriasis is not a contagious skin condition.
An individual instead, has a genetic predisposition for psoriasis, which can be activated by certain environmental factors or emotional stress.
Individuals with psoriasis may find that their condition tends to flare up due to stress, certain medications, winter weather, and infections (ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.).
Most often psoriasis affects the scalp, knees, elbows, hands, and feet (National Psoriasis Foundation).
Although no one knows for sure, many scientists believe that a biochemical stimulus triggers the abnormally high skin growth which will in turn cause the skin lesions (National Psoriasis Foundation).
Heredity also plays a role in the development of psoriasis. Individuals who have a family member with a severe case of psoriasis tend to experience early onset of the disease (Camisa 55).
Recent research studies indicate that psoriasis may be a disorder of the immune system. The T cell, a white blood cell, normally works to fight off infection and disease. Scientists believe that having an abnormal immune system may cause abnormal activity by T cells in the skin. These abnormally active T cells cause skin inflammation and increased cell production.
Diet and vitamin influences are thought to play a role in psoriasis development and progression of psoriasis. (Kligman 729).
Because psoriasis is a lifelong condition, the levels of its severity and improvement can fluctuate over time.
Psoriasis is not a contagious skin condition.
An individual instead, has a genetic predisposition for psoriasis, which can be activated by certain environmental factors or emotional stress.
Individuals with psoriasis may find that their condition tends to flare up due to stress, certain medications, winter weather, and infections (ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.).
Most often psoriasis affects the scalp, knees, elbows, hands, and feet (National Psoriasis Foundation).
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