Psoriasis
What is Psoriasis ?
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp. Psoriasis is a common, long-term (chronic) disease with no cure. It can be painful, interfere with sleep, and make it hard to concentrate.
The condition tends to go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a while. Common triggers in people with a genetic predisposition to psoriasis include infections, cuts or burns, and certain medications. Treatments are available to help you manage symptoms. And you can try lifestyle habits and coping strategies to help you live better with psoriasis.
Symptoms
- A patchy rash that varies widely
- Rashes that vary in color
- Small scaling spots
- Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
- Itching, burning or soreness
- Cyclic rashes that flare for a few weeks
- Skin pain
- Nails that are pitted, cracked or crumbly
- Joint pain
- Red patches of skin covered with scales
Cause
An over-reactive immune system that creates inflammation in your skin causes psoriasis. If you have psoriasis, your immune system is supposed to destroy foreign invaders, like bacteria, to keep you healthy and prevent you from getting sick. Instead, your immune system can mistake healthy cells for foreign invaders. As a result, your immune system creates inflammation or swelling, which you see on the surface of your skin as skin plaques. It usually takes up to 30 days for new skin cells to grow and replace old skin cells. Your over-reactive immune system causes the timeline of new skin cell development to change to three to four days. The speed of new cells replacing old cells creates scales and frequent skin shedding on top of skin plaques. Psoriasis runs in families. There may be a genetic component to psoriasis because biological parents may pass the condition down to their children.
Risk Factors
Anyone can develop psoriasis. About a third of instances begin in childhood. These factors can increase the risk of developing the disease:
- Family history. The condition runs in families. Having one parent with psoriasis increases your risk of getting the disease. And having two parents with psoriasis increases your risk even more.
- Smoking. Smoking tobacco not only increases the risk of psoriasis but also may increase the severity of the disease.
When to see a Doctor
If you suspect that you may have psoriasis, see your health care provider. Also seek medical care if your condition becomes severe or widespread. Causes you discomfort and pain. Causes you concern about the appearance of your skin. Doesn’t improve with treatment