What are the Symptoms of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects close to one in fifty adults while also causing significant psychological suffering to those people that are afflicted with the problem. Clinical research has come to the conclusion that although psoriaisis manifests itself as a skin complaint, the actual cause is rooted in the immune system of the body.
There are a number of assorted symptoms associated with a flare up of psoriasis including salmon colored skin that becomes scaly, flaky and irritated. With plaque psoriasis, which is also the most commonplace form, the affected areas develop round, eliptical or irregular shaped areas of red which are covered with skin that is scaly and silver colored. The form and sizes of the patches varies widely and several smaller areas can combine together to form one large shape of irritated scaly skin. Besides being unsightly, these larger areas tend to crack and begin bleeding.
The area of affected skin can become really itchy and feel as though it is burning. There are no hard and fast rules as to how long any particular flare-up will last. It could last a week to twleve days or you may have to endure it for several weeks. One of the worst aspects for those affected is that it is a chronic condition and recurring flare-ups can happen at any time.
Areas of the body that are typically affected include the trunk, head, elbows and knees although any part of the body can develop symptoms of psoriasis. Flare-ups tend to be symmetric, meaning that both sides of the body will experience flare-ups in identical areas at the same time.
It appears that hereditary factors also play a part in who is likely to develop psoriasis. Individuals whose parents or grandparents suffered with the complaint have a greater prospect of developing it as well. For reasons that are not yet fully understood, T-cells, which are required by our bodies to produce infection fighting white blood cells, cause inflammation of the skin. T-cells also in some way trigger the production of an overabundance of skin cells. Since these skin cells are surplus to requirements, they simply stack up on top of each other and in turn produce the telltale raised patches on the skins surface. To sustain these additional skin cells, an increased blood supply is needed which results in the red appearance.
Although not the causes of psoriasis, common triggers include sunlight, strep infections and injuries, both past and present, to the skin Anxiousness and stress can also spark an outbreak as can alterations in hormone levels. Folks with early stages of HIV seem to have higher instances of psoriasis as well. Cigarette smokers who also consume alcohol increase their chances of developing psoriasis.
Presently, there is still no recognized cure for psoriasis. However there are several effective treatment choices that can ease the symptoms. Resisting the temptation to scratch the affected area and keeping it moist is a great start.
Localized treatments are employed first with a view to slowing the excess production of skin cells. Commonly employed localized treatments include anthrallin, coal tar, corticosteroids, salicylic acid and synthetic vitamin D. There are also a range of specially formulated skin moisturizers and bathing products. For more severe cases where localized treatments maybe ineffective, systemic medications may be prescribed by the physician. Phototherapy, where sufferers are exposed to medically-supervised UV radiation is also effectual in treating psoriasis.
