Psoriasis 101 Information on Skin Disease

Top Five Psoriasis Myths

1. Myth: Psoriasis is contagious.

Fact: Psoriasis is not contagious. It is a life-long, immune mediated skin disease.

2. Myth: Psoriasis is caused by poor hygiene.

Fact: There is no link between hygiene and psoriasis. Psoriasis is a disease that no amount of washing or scrubbing can remove the scaly areas, or ensure they don’t come back.

3. Myth: Psoriasis is just an annoying skin rash.

Fact: Once thought to be a skin condition, research has shown that psoriasis is actually a disease of the immune system that causes abnormal growth in skin cells.

4. Myth: Psoriasis can be cured.

Fact: Psoriasis is a chronic disease for which there is currently no cure. Once symptoms appear, patients have psoriasis for life.

5. Myth: Psoriasis only affects patients physically.

Fact: There is a significant emotional impact experienced by psoriasis sufferers including feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, anger, frustration and even depression.

Several factors are thought to aggravate psoriasis. These include stress and excessive alcohol consumption. Individuals with psoriasis may also suffer from depression and loss of self-esteem. As such, quality of life is an important factor in evaluating the severity of the disease. There are many treatments available but because of its chronic recurrent nature psoriasis is a challenge to treat.

Plaque Psoriasis

About 80% of people living with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, which also is called “psoriasis vulgaris.” “Vulgaris” means “common.”

How to recognize Plaque Psoriasis:

1. Raised and thickened patches of reddish skin, called “plaques,” which are covered by silvery-white scales.

2. Plaques most often appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, chest, and lower back. However, they can appear anywhere on the body, including the genitals.

3. Plaques vary in size and can appear as distinct patches or join together to cover a large area.

In the early stages, the psoriasis may be unnoticeable. The skin may itch and/or a burning sensation may be present.

Plaque psoriasis usually first appears as small red bumps. Bumps gradually enlarge, and scales form. While the top scales flake off easily and often, scales below the surface stick together. The small red bumps develop into plaques (reddish areas of raised and thickened skin).

Now that you know a bit more about psoriasis, we urge you to find out more about this!

About the author: Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition and CAN be cured! We urge you to find out more about Psoriasis at http://Psoriasis.eask.info

Psoriasis by Camry James

Psoriasis Facts

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, non-contagious, reoccurring skin condition consisting of red, scaly, well defined, thickened areas of varying sizes. Any part of your skin on the body and on your nails can be affected. Arthritis may be associated with your psoriasis. The scalp, elbows, knees and lower back are commonly affected, but the face is usually not.

Key Points:

• Psoriasis is chronic and reoccurring
• It produces red, scaly, well defined patches
• Psoriasis can affect any part of the skin on your body,
• particularly the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back
• It may include nail involvement and arthritis

Who Can Get Psoriasis?

Psoriasis affects approximately 2% of the population, men and women in any age group can be affected. One type of psoriasis usually begins between the ages of 20 and 30 and runs in families, but the inheritance is variable. A number of genetic associations for example, a gene called HLA-Cw6 has been linked. Approximately 30% of people with this condition also have a first degree relative (that is parents, brothers, sisters and children) with psoriasis.

If you have an identical twin with psoriasis, the chance that you also have the condition is about 70%, while the risk for a twin who is not identical, is about 25%. The severity of psoriasis may vary between family members. For example, one member might have a very mild disease with only a couple of lesions, while another member might be covered with psoriasis. A second type typically begins around age 60 and does not run in families.

What Causes Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition involving the T-lymphocyte, a type of white blood cell.

Normally, the time between manufacturing and shedding skin cells is about 28 days. In psoriasis, the process is approximately 7 times faster, the outer cells are poorly formed and don’t shed properly. They tend to pile up on the skin producing the scale.