Psoriasis Information
Psoriasis is a persistent skin condition characterized by red, thickened areas of skin and abundant silvery scaling.
It is an inflammatory skin disease caused by overactive white blood cells, which concentrate in the skin and cause the skin cells to grow too rapidly. This rapid growth shows on the surface as a red, scaly rash.
Plaque-type psoriasis is usually on elbows, knees and the lower back. The scalp is frequently involved, but psoriasis can occur on any surface of the skin including nails. Some patients develop blisters on their skin in the affected areas, and this can be very painful.
The rash of psoriasis can itch, but often it does not have symptoms. Most patients with psoriasis are embarrassed by its appearance, and they dress to hide it from others. There is a significant psychological impact of the disease as it sometimes prevents people from being hired for jobs, and it can limit social activities because other people think psoriasis patients are contagious.
Psoriasis is a common skin disorder affecting two out of every 100 Americans (4 to 5 million people). A person of any race or age can develop psoriasis, but most patients develop it between the ages of 15 and 35.
It does run in families and tends to be more severe in patients with a family history of psoriasis. Severity of disease can vary widely.
Some people get slightly dry skin on their elbows and knees while others can have most of their body surface covered. Psoriasis is not just a skin disease, though.
About 10 to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis on their skin will also have psoriatic arthritis (usually hands, feet, wrists, ankles or lower back).
Psoriatic arthritis can lead to destruction and deformity of joints if left untreated. Some patients develop the arthritis before they have any skin involvement, but most have the skin rash first.
Although there is no cure for psoriasis, there are several good treatments.
For mild cases prescription creams and lotions containing cortisone, calcipotriene, retinoic acid or salicylic acid can be helpful.
There are several systemic psoriasis treatments (shots and pills) which suppress the overactive white blood cells causing the disease.
In addition, ultraviolet light therapy under the direction of a dermatologist can be very effective treatment. Treatments are tailored to meet the needs of individual patients.
It is an inflammatory skin disease caused by overactive white blood cells, which concentrate in the skin and cause the skin cells to grow too rapidly. This rapid growth shows on the surface as a red, scaly rash.
Plaque-type psoriasis is usually on elbows, knees and the lower back. The scalp is frequently involved, but psoriasis can occur on any surface of the skin including nails. Some patients develop blisters on their skin in the affected areas, and this can be very painful.
The rash of psoriasis can itch, but often it does not have symptoms. Most patients with psoriasis are embarrassed by its appearance, and they dress to hide it from others. There is a significant psychological impact of the disease as it sometimes prevents people from being hired for jobs, and it can limit social activities because other people think psoriasis patients are contagious.
Psoriasis is a common skin disorder affecting two out of every 100 Americans (4 to 5 million people). A person of any race or age can develop psoriasis, but most patients develop it between the ages of 15 and 35.
It does run in families and tends to be more severe in patients with a family history of psoriasis. Severity of disease can vary widely.
Some people get slightly dry skin on their elbows and knees while others can have most of their body surface covered. Psoriasis is not just a skin disease, though.
About 10 to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis on their skin will also have psoriatic arthritis (usually hands, feet, wrists, ankles or lower back).
Psoriatic arthritis can lead to destruction and deformity of joints if left untreated. Some patients develop the arthritis before they have any skin involvement, but most have the skin rash first.
Although there is no cure for psoriasis, there are several good treatments.
For mild cases prescription creams and lotions containing cortisone, calcipotriene, retinoic acid or salicylic acid can be helpful.
There are several systemic psoriasis treatments (shots and pills) which suppress the overactive white blood cells causing the disease.
In addition, ultraviolet light therapy under the direction of a dermatologist can be very effective treatment. Treatments are tailored to meet the needs of individual patients.
posted by Nick Riley @ 11:09 AM
<< Home