Psoriasis Treatment

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Psoriasis has on many occasions been given descriptions without any tangible definition. About 2 percent of the global population has been reported to suffer from this skin condition.It affects people of both sexes and all races. Caucasians account for a slightly higher number of victims compare to people of African origin at 2.5 and 1.3 percent respectively.

People of all ages can be affected though its more prevalent in young adults.  The majority of individuals who develop psoriasis do so between the ages of 15 and 30. The total number of people that develop psoriasis before age 40 is about 75 percent. The ages between 50 and 60 also record high numbers of this skin condition.

When the body or skin attempts to get rid of toxins, the outcome is manifested as psoriasis. It is really the bowels and the kidneys that should perform the detoxification tasks. The design of the skin does not allow it to handle major toxin removal. However, a leaky gut may result in toxic overload. This may compel the skin to take up a backup role in toxin removal, hence the rashes, lesions and skin irritation.

Psoriasis can be classified into five forms. These include the inverse, pustular, plague, erythrodermic  and guttate. Plague psoriasis is the most common and appears on the skin as reddish patches or lesions. These patches have a silvery coat composed of dead skin cells that is usually referred to as scales or flakes. Abnormal blood lymphocytes are the suspected cause of these flakes.

Pustular psoriasis appears as small yellowish blisters filled with pus. Guttate psoriasis is manifested as tiny drop-like spots. Inverse psoriasis appears between folds of skin like between the underarms, buttocks and navel. Palmoplantar psoriasis affects the soles and palms. Different types of psoriasis produce lesions of different sizes.

Psoriasis Causes and Treatment Options

Psoriasis is a noncontagious disease that mostly affects the elbows, scalp, groin and knees. It is considered a long-term chronic skin condition that is non-curable. It has a variable course that consists of periodic improvements and aggravations. Psoriasis has even been noted to clear spontaneously for years and then remain in remission. Cold winter weather aggravates the condition in many people.

Though psoriasis root cause is unknown, environmental factors and genetic predisposition may increase chances of developing it. The condition commonly affects people with the same family ties. Even though family history may increase the risk, it does not guarantee the development of psoriasis.  A major catalyst of this condition is the immune system.

Studies on the immune system reveal that in a person with psoriasis, the T cells mistake the skin cells for intruders and attack. T cells are the type of white blood cells that guard against intruders such as viruses and bacteria. This explains why psoriasis is sometimes called the T cell mediated disease.

This reaction of T cell leads to some processes.  Instead of the normal weeks needed, formation of new skin cell occurs in days. The root of this T cell reaction lies within our DNA. Psoriasis is developed by individuals who have inherited the numerous genes responsible for psoriasis.

Studies are still underway to identify all the genes involved. One of these genes is PSORS1 which monitors the mode in which the immune system stems off infection. Studies also suggest that for you to develop psoriasis, you have to inherit the correct mix of genes then get exposed to a trigger. Strep throat, skin injury, and an event in life that generates stress are some triggers. Triggers that apply to one individual may not apply to the next.

Some serious medical conditions usually linked to psoriasis include diabetes, depression and heart disease. Psoriasis sufferers usually account for higher number of depression victims than the general population. Psoriasis may cause suffers loss of self esteem, sadness, guilt, anger, embarrassment and despair.

Getting some skin relief is the top priority for any sufferer of this skin condition. Though a cure may not be available,   psoriasis treatment  assists in controlling skin symptoms.  A non greasy formula that leaves no stains on clothes or the skin and that is instantly absorbed is used.

Psoriasis treatment is vital for reliable disease management and healthy living. Your doctor is in a good position to help you find such treatment. What reduces symptoms in one patient may not be effective in another patient.

Having information on different psoriasis treatment  options is recommended. This allows a patient to experiment with different options to find the most suitable one. Usually this calls for closer interaction with your doctor. Just like with psoriatic arthritis and many other chronic conditions, psoriasis requires you to advocate for your well-being and overall health.

Patients experiencing psoriasis on less then 3 percent of their skin surface are regarded as mild cases. Others with between 3 to 10 percent of total skin surface affected are regarded as moderate cases. Any case that exceeds 10 percent is considered as severe psoriasis. The skin on the hand is considered to be about 1 percent of the body’s total surface area.

Severe psoriasis can impede everyday functions like work and social activities. Severe psoriasis may engulf the entire body in thick red scaly skin. Small faint dry patches of skin caused by mild psoriasis may pass unnoticed as a medical skin condition.

Psoriasis treatment  depends on its location on the body and degree of severity. Emollients, anthralin preparations, cortisone cream applications, coal tar and exposure to the sun comprise the local treatment options. Systemic  psoriasis treatment options include internal medications such as cyclosporine and methotrexate.

One combination therapy commonly used is PUVA  (psoralen and ultraviolet A radiation.) Psoralen is ingested to sensitize the skin. The sensitized skin under psoriasis infection is then exposed to artificial ultraviolet light. This  psoriasis treatment  is a recommended photo-therapy that has been in use for over two decades.

Psoriasis Symptoms, Signs and Treatment

Typically psoriasis may seem like pink or red dry skin areas that are raised or thickened. It is more common on areas that experience frequent abrasions trauma or rubbing. These may include the knees, elbows and scalp.

Psoriasis can also manifest itself as thick huge plaques onto the raised skin. They could also appear as tiny flattened bumps, mildly dry skin and large flakes of loose dry skin. Pulling off the dry flakes could leave small spots of blood on your skin. This is a special diagnostic sign of psoriasis known as the Auspitz sign.

Severe pain and itching can result from flares of psoriasis which in turn leads to skin inflammation and exfoliation. The skin gets prone to cracking and bleeding and this can interrupt your sleep and lead to sleep deprivation. This may further inhibit your concentration at work or in school. Psoriasis flare-ups will occasionally demand the attention of a dermatologist. While flare-ups occur occasionally in some, others may have frequent flare-ups ranging from between weekly or monthly episodes.

Genital lesions commonly appear on the tip of the penis. In moist areas between the navel and areas between the buttocks, intergluteal  psoriasis may appear as flat red patches.  These symptoms can easily be mixed up with symptoms of other diseases such as yeast infection, staph infection, skin irritation and fungal infection.

On the nails, depressions that are pit like may appear. These could either be tiny and white or bigger and yellow. They appear on the nail beds and are otherwise known as oil spots. This kind of psoriasis could easily be mistaken for fungal nail infection or even misdiagnosed as such.

On the scalp, it could easily pass up for a serious case of dandruff. Red skin areas and dry flakes pose a great challenge in differentiating between seborrhea (dandruff) and scalp psoriasis. However both  psoriasis treatment  and seborrhea remedy are quite similar.

Psoriasis can also spread to the nails. Of all psoriasis sufferers, about 50 percent will experience some changes in their toe nails or finger nails. The nails could develop tiny pits, ridges or even turn yellowish orange. This usually signals the condition known as psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis could progress into a debilitating condition  psoriasis treatment  is not administered. To prevent joint deterioration, it is prudent that you see a dermatologist. The danger signs include nail changes and development of  joint pain.

Holistic home Remedies for Psoriasis Treatment

Research has established that with proper  psoriasis treatment and disease management one can find relief from this chronic skin condition. Though prescribed medications for psoriasis are available, there are also proven natural treatments that offer better results. These are readily available in the health market.

Natural remedies offer effective  psoriasis treatment  that have been proven effective and safe treatment. In addition to their affordable pricing, they have minimal or no side effects. However it is advisable to consult with your physician before undertaking the natural remedies. 

The first remedy in natural  psoriasis treatment  is to maintain a moist skin. Psoriasis flourishes under dry skin conditions. Soak up in lukewarm water before applying sufficient moisturizer after drying your skin. This eliminates dead dry skin that could screen off the  UV rays applied as psoriasis treatment on the skin.

Hot showers and scrubs may drain off the skin’s natural oil that aid in retaining skin moisture. Agents that have similar drying effects should also be avoided. Moisturizers are recommended to enhance mobility and flexibility while curtailing inflammation. Heavy moisturizers are particularly effective in  psoriasis treatment  as they lock in moisture and render the scales virtually invisible.

Drinking sufficient amounts of water or about 6 to 8 glasses a day also aids in retaining skin moisture. Water helps to rejuvenate, renew and eliminate toxins or wastes that would pile up. While other Natural  psoriasis treatment  remedies act from without water acts efficiently from within .

The air indoors is usually dry and linked to dry skin. The great outdoors provides you with ample sunshine that compliments your  psoriasis treatment. Exercise caution to avoid getting sunburns during the process. Dipping our toe nails and finger nails in vinegar or having a vinegar body rinse offers long-term relief from this skin condition.

Warm olive oil can be massaged onto the skin on affected areas to soften them. After softening the dry skin areas, gently wash and rinse. Vegetable oils and mineral oils also have the same healing effect. These oils aid the  psoriasis treatment  by reducing inflammation when added to bath water.

Always keep the affected parts covered either with a plastic wrap or any suitable material. This aids in keeping the medication intact to enable moisture retention. For effective psoriasis treatment  avoid getting the area too soggy to prevent further secondary infections.