Psoriasis Monthly Newsletter
May, 2006
With featured articles on Psoriasis and skin-care, information on treating Psoriasis, reviews of recommended products, and interviews with practitioners.
Psoriasis
by Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
Psoriasis [pronounced sore-EYE-ah-sis] is a genetic disease that affects about 4.5 million people in the United States. It is a condition that affects sufferers throughout their lives. And although it may look gruesome, psoriasis is not contagious. Psoriatic lesions are not infections or open wounds, and they pose no threat to the health or safety of others. Whether you are affected by psoriasis or just interested in learning more about the condition, here are the answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about psoriasis.
What Causes Psoriasis?
Health experts do not yet know what causes psoriasis, but they believe that it has a genetic component. Most researchers agree that for those who are predisposed to psoriasis, the immune system somehow becomes mistakenly stimulated to speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Under normal conditions, a skin cell will mature and fall off the body's surface in about one month. But for those with psoriasis, skin cells regenerate more rapidly, taking only three to four days to move to the surface. In addition, these cells do not fall off like normal skin cells; rather, they pile up and form lesions.
What Are the Types Of Psoriasis?
Psoriasis can occur in various forms of psoriasis. The most common type of psoriasis, called plaque psoriasis, results in inflamed lesions of skin that become encrusted with a silvery white scale. Other forms of psoriasis include guttate psoriasis which is characterized by small dot-like lesions; pustular psoriasis in which the lesions are weeping and scaly; inverse psoriasis where the lesions become intensely inflamed; and erythrodermic psoriasis which is characterized by intense shedding and redness of the skin. The severity of psoriasis can vary from person to person; however, for most people, psoriasis tends to be mild. For some, psoriasis is limited to just a few lesions, whereas others develop moderate lesions on large areas of their skin.
What Parts of the Body Are Affected By Psoriasis?
Psoriasis manifests itself in the skin and/or the joints. Most commonly, psoriasis occurs on the scalp, knees, elbows and torso. But psoriasis can develop on the body, such as the nails, palms, soles, genitals and face. Psoriatic lesions are often symmetric, meaning that they can be found on the same place on both the left and right sides of the body. About 10 percent to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop a type of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints.
How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed?
There are no special tests or instruments that can be used to diagnose psoriasis. A health care provider will usually be able to determine the presence of psoriasis by examining the affected skin. However, under some conditions, a physician may also order a biopsy of the lesion to examine under a microscope.
Can Psoriasis Be Cured?
Currently, there is no cure for psoriasis, although researchers are studying this condition more than ever before. Health experts are finally beginning to understand more about the causes and triggers of this chronic condition. In the meantime, there are many different treatment methods that may help to clear up psoriasis for periods of time. Psoriasis sufferers may need to try several different treatment methods before finding one that will work well for them.
Who Can Get Psoriasis?
Psoriasis most often appears in individuals between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five but it has been known to develop at any age. In a small number of cases (about ten-fifteen percent) patients develop psoriasis before the age of ten. It is also quite rare, but not unheard of, for infants to show signs of psoriasis. Psoriasis affects both men and women equally, and it is also equitably spread throughout race and socioeconomic groups.
What Triggers Psoriasis?
Psoriasis may be triggered by a number of external sources. Injury to the skin, skin infections, or a reaction to certain types of medications may cause psoriasis to flare up. When psoriasis is triggered by an injury or trauma to the skin, it is known as a �Koebner response.� Vaccinations, sunburns and scratches can all trigger this type of reaction. If it is caught early enough, the Koebner response can be treated quickly. Certain medications, such as lithium, anti-malaria drugs, and some beta-blockers have also been known to cause psoriatic flare-ups. Emotional stress is another potential trigger for psoriasis. It can aggravate a pre-existing condition, or trigger a frits time response. Other potential triggers of psoriasis include weather, diet and allergies.
Can Psoriasis Become Severe?
Psoriasis affects the skin, the largest organ in the body. Problematic psoriasis can cause skin infections, fluid loss, or poor circulation, dangerously affecting one�s health. The seriousness of the condition is characterized as mild, moderate, or severe. In mild cases of psoriasis, the sufferer may experience a few small lesions throughout the body. Moderate psoriasis is diagnoses when roughly three percent to 10 percent of the body is affected. If more than ten percent of the body is affected by psoriasis, it is considered a severe case. The gravity of the condition is also measured by its affect on the sufferer�s quality of life. Even small patches of psoriasis can have a serious impact on one�s recreational and occupational opportunities if they occur on areas such as the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.