Psoriasis Causes
Research indicates that the disease may result from a disorder in the immune system. The immune system makes white blood cells that protect the body from infection. In psoriasis, the T cells (a type of white blood cell) abnormally trigger inflammation in the skin. These T cells also cause skin cells to grow faster than normal and to pile up in raised patches on the outer surface of the skin.
Those with a family history of psoriasis have an increased chance of having the disease. Some people carry genes that make them more likely to develop psoriasis. When both parents have psoriasis, the child may have a 50% chance of developing psoriasis. About one-third of those with psoriasis have at least one family member with the disease.
Certain factors may trigger psoriasis.
Injury to the skin: Injury to the skin has been associated with plaque psoriasis. For example, a skin infection, skin inflammation, or even excessive scratching can trigger psoriasis.
Sunlight: Most people generally consider sunlight to be beneficial for their psoriasis. However, a small minority find that strong sunlight aggravates their symptoms. A bad sunburn may worsen psoriasis.
Streptococcal infections: Some evidence suggests that streptococcal infections may cause a type of plaque psoriasis. These bacterial infections have been shown to cause guttate psoriasis, a type of psoriasis that looks like small red drops on the skin/
HIV: Psoriasis typically worsens after an individual has been infected with HIV. However, psoriasis often becomes less active in advanced HIV infection.
Drugs: A number of medications have been shown to aggravate psoriasis. Some examples are as follows:
o Antimalarials: Drugs used to treat malaria
Emotional stress: Many people see an increase in their psoriasis when emotional stress is increased.
Smoking: Cigarette smokers have an increased risk of chronic plaque psoriasis.
Alcohol: Alcohol is considered a risk factor for psoriasis, particularly in young to middle-aged males.
Hormone changes: The severity of psoriasis may fluctuate with hormonal changes. Disease frequency peaks during puberty and menopause. A pregnant woman's symptoms are more likely to improve than worsen, if any changes occur at all. In contrast, symptoms are more likely to flare in the postpartum period, if any changes occur at all.
Psoriasis Symptoms and Signs
An individual with plaque psoriasis usually has patches of red, raised, scaly areas on the skin that may itch or burn. The patches are usually found on the knees, elbows, trunk, or scalp. Approximately nine out of 10 people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis.
Plaques: The plaque areas on the skin are elevated. The plaque areas vary in size (1 centimeter to several centimeters) and may range from a few to many at any given time on the skin. The shape of the plaque is usually oval but can be irregular in shape. Smaller plaque areas may merge with other areas and form a large affected are The skin in these areas, especially when over joints or on the palms or feet, can split and bleed.
Plaque psoriasis with fissures, which are splits in the skin. Fissures usually occur where the skin bends (joints).
Plaques sometimes have an area around them that looks like a halo or ring .
Red color: The color of the affected skin is very distinctive. The rich, full red color is salmon colored. Sometimes the skin can have a blue tint when the psoriasis is on the legs.
Scale: The scales are dry, thin, and silvery white. The thickness of the scales may vary. When the scale is removed, the skin underneath looks smooth, red, and glossy. This shiny skin usually has small areas that bleed.
Symmetry: Psoriatic plaques tend to appear on both sides of the body in the same places. For example, the psoriasis is usually on both knees or both elbows at the same time.
Other general symptoms of psoriasis are as follows:
Scalp: The scalp can have dry, scaly skin or crusted plaque areas. Sometimes psoriasis of the scalp is confused with seborrheic dermatitis. In seborrheic psoriasis, the scales are greasy looking, not dry.
Nails: Nail changes are commonly observed in those with plaque psoriasis. The nails may have small indentations, ridges, or pits in them. The nails can be discolored or separate from the nail bed.
Droplets on skin: Sometimes, the skin is red and looks like it has little drops on it. This may be guttate psoriasis.
Guttate psoriasis. Red drop-like lesions are found on the skin.
Pus on patches: Sometimes, the patches of dry, scaly skin can crack and have pus on top of them. This may be pustular psoriasis.
Pustular psoriasis
Psoriasis in children: Plaque psoriasis looks slightly different in children compared to adults. In children, the plaques are not as thick, and the affected skin is less scaly. Psoriasis may often appear in the diaper region in infancy and in flexural areas in children. The disease more commonly affects the face in children as compared to adults.
Other areas: Although the most common body areas affected are the arms, leg, back, and scalp, psoriasis can be found on any body part. Psoriasis can be found on the genitals or buttocks, under the breasts, or under the arms. These areas can feel especially itchy or burning.
Self-Care at Home
Exposure to sunlight helps many people with psoriasis.
Keeping the skin soft and moist is helpful. Apply heavy moisturizers after bathing.
Do not use irritating cosmetics or soaps.
Avoid scratching or itching that can cause bleeding or excessive irritation.
Soaking in bath water with oil added and using moisturizers may help. Bath soaks with coal tar or other agents that remove scales and reduce the plaque may also help.
Some people use an ultraviolet B unit at home under a doctor's supervision. A dermatologist may prescribe the unit and instruct the patient on home use, especially if it is difficult for the patient to get to the doctor's office for phototherapy treatment.
Psoriasis Prevention
Avoiding environmental factors that trigger psoriasis, such as smoking, sun exposure, and stress, may help prevent or minimize flare-ups of psoriasis. Sun exposure may help in many cases of psoriasis and aggravate it in others.
Alcohol is considered a risk factor for psoriasis in young to middle-aged men. Avoid or minimize alcohol use if you have psoriasis.
Specific dietary restrictions or supplements other than a well-balanced and adequate diet are unimportant in the management of plaque psoriasis.
Q: Who gets psoriasis?
The average age of diagnosis is 28, and psoriasis most often appears between the ages of 15 and 35; however, it can develop at any time—a first-time diagnosis of psoriasis has been seen in elderly people, small children and even newborn babies. Psoriasis in infants is rare, but between 10 percent and 15 percent of people with psoriasis get it before age 10. Between 150,000 and 260,000 new cases of psoriasis are diagnosed each year.
Q: Is there hope that a cure will be found?
Yes. Researchers are studying psoriasis more than ever before. They understand much more about its genetic causes and how it involves the immune system. The National Psoriasis Foundation and the federal government are promoting and funding to find the cause and cure for psoriasis.
The other frequently used medicines in cases of Psoriasis are Asterias rubens, carbonica acetica, cicuta, and thuja tuberculinum. All medicine should use low potency.
BeFORE
AFTER HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT
