Psoriasis Awareness Month

Psoriasis is a common skin disorder that is estimated to affect as many as 7.5 million Americans.  In fact, psoriasis is the most common autoimmune condition in the United States.  Diagnosed by physical exam and medical history, this chronic skin condition results when the immune system sends faulty signals causing skin cells to grow abnormally. 

Individuals with psoriasis have skin cells that reproduce in three to four days, instead of the usual 28 – 30 days.  This abnormal growth cycle results in a buildup of excess skin that the body is unable to shed, causing inflamed, scaly lesions to appear on the surface.

The most common form of psoriasis is known as plaque psoriasis.  Characterized by reddish patches on the skin, plaque psoriasis can appear anywhere, with the most common sites being the knees, elbows, lower back, and scalp.  The patches sometimes are covered with a silvery white coating called scale, which upon becoming inflamed can result in itchy, cracked, and bleeding skin.

 

 

Certain triggers or external factors cause psoriasis to flare.  Stress, injury to the skin, certain medications, allergies, diet and weather trigger the disease and aggravate the skin.

Although psoriasis is recognized as an immune system disorder, one of the biggest triggers of the disease is stress.  When the body is stressed, the immune system responds with chemicals that result in inflammation.  In psoriasis, an excess of these chemicals is released and the condition flares.  Exercise, meditation, and other mind and body therapies may help reduce stress and flare-ups.

Psoriasis can also manifest in the nails, resulting in nail pitting and nail crumbling.  Up to 30 percent of people also develop joint pain, stiffness and swelling, known as psoriatic arthritis. 

There are many treatment modalities available to alleviate the symptoms of the skin disorder.  Treatments for psoriasis include topical therapies, light therapy, and biologics.  The treatments for the condition work to interrupt the cycle that causes the increased production of skin cells and also works to remove the scales that cover the skin.  It is important for patients to realize that while the signs and symptoms of psoriasis can be effectively managed, there is no cure for this chronic disorder.  Therefore, taking an active role in managing the disease can help patient’s skin completely clear, and in turn improving a person’s quality of life.

With psoriasis affecting one in forty people, this painful and debilitating disease can be reduced with management and several treatment options.