Friday, September 27, 2019

What Is Psoriasis? Triggers, Treatment, Types

What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes the rapid growth of skin cells. The life cycle of skin cells comprises one month but in case of psoriasis this process may complete in a few days. This results in sped-up process of skin production that leads to scaling on the skin’s surface. Areas of the skin become reddish with thick whitish-silver dry scales, and red patches.  Sometimes, these patches may crack and bleed. Psoriasis may develop redness and inflammation around the scales.

Psoriasis typically develops on joints, such elbows and knees however, it may develop anywhere on the body such as face, hands, feet, scalp, and neck. It may also affect the nails, mouth, and around genital areas. According to a study, around 7.4 million Americans have psoriasis.

(2) What is the main cause of psoriasis? How did I get psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease which is caused when blood cells known as T cells in the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy skin cells. The body begins to produce skin cells readily. Thus these skin cells develop too quickly and are pushed to the skin's surface, where they pile up to form red, raised, inflamed patches on the skin. These patches may irritate and bleed. Thus immune system may flare up psoriasis while fighting with infections.


(3) Is alcohol bad for psoriasis? Is vodka bad for psoriasis?
The direct cause of psoriasis is not known but it is proven by different studies that consumption of alcohol (in vodka or any other form) has a bad effect on this disease. Especially in pregnant women, it is too dangerous. Consuming alcohol in even small amounts can increase the harmful side effects of some psoriasis medications and flare up or worsen psoriasis.

This Article explains:  What Is Psoriasis           Reading Time:    9 Minutes

(4) What triggers psoriasis? Is Psoriasis caused by stress?
Alcohol, cold and dry weather, infections, smoking, any skin trauma, or certain medications may trigger psoriasis. Despite psoriasis is a genetic condition, and stress is an environmental factor, psoriasis and stress are intricately linked. Any stressful life event can trigger it. Psoriasis itself gives rise to stress which increases the psoriasis flare-ups.

(5) Is urine good for psoriasis?
Urine can be helpful to decrease the symptoms of acne, psoriasis, eczema, and fungal infections, when it is applied topically on the skin. Some experts say that human urine (yes, your own urine) can cure all manner of skin conditions, from spots to athlete's foot.

(6) How serious is psoriasis? What happens if psoriasis is left untreated?

(7) Can psoriasis be cured? Can you die from psoriasis?

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(8) Can psoriasis turn into cancer?

(9) How long will it take for someone to know if he or she has psoriasis?

Symptoms of psoriasis differ from person to person and depend on the type of psoriasis. Some people may feel “cycles of symptoms” as the symptoms go away and come again after a time with worse condition.  Sometimes, symptoms of psoriasis disappear completely. However, you can tell that you are developing psoriasis with the help of following symptoms:

Symptoms Of Psoriasis:

  1. Painful swollen joints
  2. Thick pitted nails
  3. Dry skin that may crack and bleed
  4. Red raised, inflamed patches of skin
  5. Whitish silver scales or plaques on the red patches
  6. Soreness around patches
  7. Dry, raised, scaly plaques
  8. Itching and burning sensation on the skin

(10) What does psoriasis look like in the beginning? What are the first signs of psoriasis?

(11) Where does Psoriasis usually start?
Psoriasis can affect anywhere on your skin even on majority of your body but psoriasis plaques mostly develop on the elbows, knees, face, feet, scalp, back, and palms.

(12) Which is the best treatment for psoriasis?
Anthralin, topical corticosteroids, topical retinoids, Vitamin D analogues, calcineurin inhibitors, Salicylic acid, Coal tar, and moisturizers are the best treatments for psoriasis.

(13) Is psoriasis contagious? Is psoriasis transmitted sexually?

(14) How do you stop psoriasis from spreading?

Self care tips to stop psoriasis from spreading:

  1. Quit smoking
  2. Don’t drink alcohol
  3. Take healthy diet
  4. Protect your skin
  5. Moisturize your dry skin
  6. Do not rub the psoriasis
  7. Avoid irritating makeup products
  8. Reconsider certain medications
  9. Use body lotions
  10. Sleep well
  11. Wear comfortable clothes
  12. Don’t take stress
  13. Use relaxation techniques to reduce stress
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(15) Can low estrogen cause psoriasis?

(16) How do I get rid of psoriasis fast?
  1. Limit Alcohol
  2. Keep Your Skin Moist
  3. Keep calm and do not worry
  4. Soothe your body with warm baths.
  5. Take It Easy
  6. Don’t Scratch and Pick
  7. Stop Smoking

(17) Can I get a massage if I have psoriasis?

(18) How often should you shower if you have psoriasis?
Take only one bath or shower a day.

(19) Can psoriasis go away permanently?

(20) What cream is best for psoriasis?

(21) What is the life expectancy of someone with psoriasis?
Psoriasis often appears between the ages of 15–35 years. Psoriatic arthritis usually develops between the ages of 30–50 years. If treated on time then the impact on life would be low. But if psoriasis is left untreated then it might have a significant effect on a person's life.

(22) What are the tips to stop baths and showers from worsening your psoriasis?
  2. Avoid hot water during bath and showers. Use warm water.
  4. Avoid scrubs and deodorant soaps because they are too harsh.
  5. Wash your skin gently with your hands.
  6. Rinse off the soap or cleanser gently but thoroughly from your skin.
  7. You must limit your baths to maximum of 15 minutes.
  8. You must limit your showers to 5 minutes.
  9. Take only one bath or shower per day.
  10. Apply a fragrance free moisturizer to your skin within 5 minutes of taking a shower or bath.
  11. Use a gentle moisture-rich soap or cleanser made for sensitive skin.
  12. Dry your skin very gently.
  13. Leave a little bit of water on your skin after bath so skin feels damp.

(23) Can you spread psoriasis by scratching?
Scratching itchy psoriasis does not cause psoriasis to spread however, it can spread from one area of the body to another, if it is left untreated.

(24) Does psoriasis smell bad?


(25) What does psoriasis rash look like?
The psoriasis rash can be itchy and painful. Scratching it can pull scales off the skin and cause bleeding. Silvery-whitish scaled patches can develop as the rash gets more severe. Plaque psoriasis starts out as small red bumps that grow larger and form a scale like structure on the skin surface.

(26) Does psoriasis cause burning sensation?

(27) Can psoriasis cause IBS?
Yes you can develop Crohen’s disease or other similar inflammatory bowel diseases due to psoriasis. In a recent study of women with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, 10% patients developed a form of ulcerative colitis, Crohen’s disease or some other inflammatory bowel disease

(28) Is Psoriasis an infection? Is psoriasis fungal or bacterial?
It is a type of autoimmune disease in which immune system during its fight with infections causes the quick production of skin cells. Thus these skin cells push others towards borders and hence this gives rise to red, scaly patches on the skin surface. These patches may fall off. Skin cells pile up too quickly and form thick scaly lesions on the body.

(29) What can I rub on psoriasis?
Salicylic acid ointment softens the skin by shedding of psoriatic scales. But usage of this on large areas of skin may cause the body to absorb too much medications that results in severe side effects.

(30) Does psoriasis bleed and crack?
Psoriasis is characterized by red thick scaly, itchy and inflammatory painful lesions that form on the surface of the skin. In severe cases of psoriasis, plaques can crack and bleed. This develops fissures and open sores on the skin surface.

(31) Is psoriasis itchy at night?
Is psoriasis always itchy? Why is psoriasis so itchy?
Psoriasis develops red or silvery thick scaly patches on the skin surface that are sometimes itchy and painful. This is an autoimmune disease in which too much skin cells are formed speedily that cause the existing cells to move outwards thus causing scaly patches.

Psoriasis patients experience generalized itch, especially during the night. This might affect sleep and other life activities of patients. As a result of this itching, patient scratches these scaly patches. Scratching affected skin can aggravate psoriasis.

(32) What organs can be affected by psoriasis?
Psoriasis can develop on any part of the body. But it shows up in the skin and nails.

(33) Can psoriasis cause weight gain?
There is not any proof that it psoriasis causes weight gain in patients. However it is clear that being overweight or obese raises your chances of getting psoriasis. It can also make symptoms worse if you are overweight.

(34) Can psoriasis make you feel unwell?


(35) Does exercise help psoriasis?
Regular exercise will help you maintain a healthy weight, which may be helpful in keeping your psoriasis flare-ups to a minimum.

(36) Does psoriasis make tired?
Psoriasis patients often feel tired all the time. While in case of psoriatic arthritis, you may feel joint pain too. Fatigue is a common symptom of such diseases which are related to immune system.

(37) Is psoriasis worse than eczema?

(38) How do I know if it's eczema or psoriasis?
The common signs and symptoms in case of eczema or psoriasis are dry cracked scaly skin, red patches or plaques. But in case of psoriasis, the plaques on your skin are likely thicker and have dry scaling. However it is very difficult to differentiate these differences with the naked eye.
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(39) When should you consult a doctor about psoriasis?
Psoriatic lesions need the attention of your doctor. Normally, psoriasis is not considered as an emergency. But if you find psoriasis lesions on your skin, consult your dermatologist right away.

Living with psoriasis:

(1) Emotional health:

(40) What are the emotional conditions of psoriasis patient?

Life with psoriasis is very challenging. Psoriasis patients are more likely to experience depression. They also feel depressed and show feelings of self-esteem. Psoriasis generates frustration in the patients. So, family of psoriatic patients must take much care of emotional health of the patient.

(2) Stress:

(41) Do psoriatic patients feel depression?
Stress is the major trigger that makes psoriasis flare ups more severe. Psoriasis itself causes stress in patients and this condition worsens the flare-ups of psoriasis. Managing stress may help you reduce flare-ups and ease symptoms. Try these to reduce flare-ups:
Deep breathing

(3) Diet:

(42) What diet should I take If I have psoriasis?


(43) What is the association between arthritis and psoriasis?
Psoriasis and arthritis
  1. Psoriatic arthritis is mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
  5. Treatments for psoriatic arthritis may successfully ease symptoms.

(44) Does losing weight help psoriasis?
Losing weight can help with itchy, flaky, and sore patches on your skin. If you lose your weight and follow a healthy diet then you may decrease the symptoms of psoriasis by almost 50% within a period of 20 weeks.

(45) What are some notable facts and figures about psoriasis?

Psoriasis statistics and facts & figures:

  1. About 7.4 million Americans have psoriasis.
  2. Around 33% people with psoriasis may suffer from psoriatic arthritis .
  3. About 75% psoriasis cases are diagnosed before age 46.
  4. Psoriasis may begin at any age.
  6. Psoriasis affects both male and female equally.
  7. Family history of psoriasis increases the risk of psoriasis.

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