Psoriasis Understood
One of the most common questions a person has when diagnosed with a disease is “What does this mean for me?” In order to answer this question, you should educate yourself about your disease so you know what you are up against. In this section, we will break it down for you into smaller digestible bites.
We will help educate you on:
- The definition of psoriasis
- The cause of psoriasis
- The common symptoms of psoriasis
- The statistics of psoriasis
- The outlook for a psoriasis patient
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a common skin disease that affects the skin cells. It is often characterized by thickened patches of inflamed red skin, that are covered by silvery white scales. These scales are piles of dead skin. This “pile-up” of dead skin is formed when the cells in the outer layer (the epidermis) multiply faster than they can be worn away. It is important to note that this skin disease is not contagious. There are several different types of psoriasis, such as plaque, inverse, erythrodermic, guttate, and pustular.
What Causes Psoriasis?
Unfortunately, there is no known cause for psoriasis. This may sound perplexing; however, there is some connection between psoriasis and the family tree. If someone in your family suffers from psoriasis, your chances of developing this skin disease are increased.
The symptoms of psoriasis are often called flare-ups. It is important to know what the cause (or trigger) of a flare-up may be. These triggers can include emotional stress, skin damage, and physical illness. By knowing the trigger, you can decrease the number of flare-ups you may experience.
What Are the Symptoms of Psoriasis?
Some of the symptoms of psoriasis may occur in isolation or in combination. The symptoms include:
- Pink or red raised patches of skin covered with flaky, white scales
- Pitted finger nails - nails may become loose and crumbly
- Raised areas on the hands and feet that may become cracked or form blisters that are filled with pus
- Extreme pain or discomfort
- Stiffness or inflammation in the fingers and toes
- Itching
- Small scaly patches triggered by a sore throat or strep infection (most common in children and teens)
Psoriasis most commonly occurs on the knees, elbows, and scalp. It is least often found in armpits, under the breasts, on the genitals, and around the anus.
Some of the Statistics Associated With Psoriasis
Approximately 2% of the population in the United States and Europe are affected by psoriasis. There is no gender bias for the disease - men are as equally affected as women. Psoriasis most commonly appears between the ages of 10 - 30. Occasionally, it is seen in infants and sometimes it shows up in old age. Psoriasis is less common among the Black and Asian populations.
What Is the Outlook for a Person Suffering From Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a long-term skin disease with no permanent cure. However, flare-ups can be completely relieved with appropriate treatment. It is important to follow your health care professional’s skin care advice to achieve optimal results.
Leave a Comment