Psoriasis is the condition of the skin where the skin cells start to multiply at abnormal levels. Usually, cell regeneration occurs and balances with the dead skin cells. Since the skin cells start to develop abnormally, they rise to the top of your skin and die out leaving behind a red plaque covered with white scales. They typically occur on the knees, elbows and sometimes in your scalp. There are many reasons attributed to why skin cells behave abnormally. The common reason is that they are linked to the way your immune system performs.
This illness is characterized by over-multiplication of skin cells up to 10 times faster than normal growth. As dead underlying cells reach the skin’s surface, their voluminous accumulation causes raised, red plaques that gets covered with white scales. This disease typically happens on the elbows, knees and scalp. Psoriasis can also affect the palms, torso and soles of the feet. Psoriasis, can also at time be found associated with psoriatic arthritis, which leads to swelling and pain in the joints. It is estimated that in India there is 10 to 30 per cent of people who have psoriasis also are sufferers of psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis can happen for several reasons ranging from trauma, emotional stress to streptococcal infection. A recent study of this disease has indicated that some abnormality in the immune system is the factor that triggers this disease. There are five different types of psoriasis:
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that is acquired mainly due to some reasons related to genetics or environmental factors. It is associated with the appearance of dry scaly patches on the skin but is not contagious.
It cannot be spread by touching the affected individual. It can spread to other parts within the body of the person suffering from this inflammatory skin condition.
Summary: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder but not contagious. It cannot spread by touching the affected individual. However, the inflammatory reactions can spread to other body parts within the same individual.
The exact cause of psoriasis is not known but there could be many other factors which can cause psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a skin disease accompanied by symptoms of red, itchy, and patchy skin. In most cases, it needs to undergo treatment while some cases may be associated with spontaneous remission. The flare-up in such skin conditions may disappear or undergo healing on its own and without any treatment.
Probably the spontaneous remission is a result of the immune system which may stop attacking the skin, making the symptoms fade away. Even after getting treated there are chances of reoccurrence.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. The exact cause of the occurrence is still under research. However, the two main causes for the skin disorder include:
Summary: Psoriasis, being an autoimmune disease, has no exact cause for its occurrence. But the related causes may include genetic predisposition, environmental factors, medicines like beta-blockers, etc.
Psoriasis is accompanied by the formation of dry, scaly patches on the skin which are itchy too. They appear as red and thick depositions having a silvery appearance. These are caused due to defects of the immune system, hence can develop in any part of the body.
It affects elbows, knees, and scalp mainly and can occur in a number of places at the same time. In case of delayed treatment, the symptoms get worse and are accompanied by intense itching along with persistent pain.
Progressive inflammation is a characteristic feature of psoriasis, leading to complications such as psoriatic arthritis and diabetes. The condition leads to a decreased quality of life of the affected individual.
Summary: Psoriasis is related to progressive skin inflammation and is accompanied by thickening of a particular skin region by over-formation of new cells. These appear as red, dry, and scaly patches having itching or even painful sensations. Psoriatic arthritis and diabetes are also some related complications.
Psoriasis affects the whole body as it is an autoimmune disease. The red, dry, and thick patches on the skin usually start to form on elbows, knees, and scalp but gradually it spreads to the other body parts as well including soles of the feet, lower back region, legs, face, and palms.
Summary: Psoriasis, being an autoimmune disease, can affect the whole body. It mainly starts as thick, dry red patches on the scalp, elbows, and knees but is gradually followed by their formation on other body parts as well.
Your doctor may examine that are you having psoriasis or if you have plaques on ears, nails, elbow, scalp, belly button and knees or not. If the doctor is still unclear, then he will take a small sample of your skin which is known as a biopsy. Later, it will be sent to a lab and the sample of your skin will be examined under the microscope. This will make it clear which type of psoriasis do you have or what other kinds of infection or disease you are suffering from.
Psoriasis cannot be cured but can be treated to get the symptoms controlled. Some of the important treatment ways include the following:
Summary: Psoriasis cannot be cured but the treatment is quite possible to manage the symptoms. Important treatment methods include the application of topical steroids, light therapy, immunosuppressants, etc.
People who have been diagnosed with Psoriasis can be qualified for the treatment. It is always better to treat the symptoms of Psoriasis from the simplest means like topical creams and UV light therapy and go to advanced means. The aim of the treatment is to curb the skin cells from growing quickly and to reduce the inflammation. They also aim to reduce the scales to the maximum permissible limits.
Topical creams can be had by every individual. However, for advanced medications and procedures do consult with your doctor about the type of therapy you would prefer. Also, discuss with your doctor about your allergic symptoms and get the drugs and medications that are best suited for you. Some of the drugs used can be strong. Hence it is always better to consult your doctor before taking any medications on your own.
There are some steps that we can adopt to control and manage the condition of psoriasis. Those include:
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease of the skin, hence no cure for it is known till now. The only treatment of this inflammatory skin condition is possible which controls and manages the symptoms and prevents flare-ups. It is a chronic and lifelong condition that may undergo remissions.
It could depend on your skin type and the possibility of other medical condition you might have. Topical creams that smoothen your skin are mild and do not have any side effects. However, if you are going for advanced procedures, there are chances that it might cause some allergic reactions in you. However, most of the treatment for Psoriasis is considered safe and has been perfected for years. You can check with your doctor if you have concerns.
Post the treatment your skin can still have some leftover symptoms from the treatment. You might be advised to use a mild skin moisturizer and to keep your skin free of blemishes. Though sunlight can be good for your skin, overexposure can be harmful. Hence check with your doctor about the correct exposure and take care of your skin accordingly. Also, ensure that your keep skin clean of impurities by having regular cleaning with soap and water.
Psoriasis shows symptoms related to inflammation of the skin. These include the appearance of thick and dry scaly patches on the same. Such symptoms resemble some other skin diseases which include the following:
Summary: Psoriasis shows inflammatory reactions on the skin, in the form of red, thick, and dry patches. These symptoms resemble some other skin infections including eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, hives, keratosis pilaris, etc.
Psoriasis is an inherited autoimmune skin disease that is characterized by inflammatory reactions on the skin of the elbows, knees, and scalp. The appearance of red, scaly, and itchy bumps on the elevated skin area is a common form of occurrence. The condition can be controlled with on-time treatment. In case it is left untreated, the symptoms accelerate and worsen further.
Intense itching along with persistent pain can occur in that condition. Due to progressive inflammation, certain complications such as psoriatic arthritis and diabetes can develop which lead to a decreased quality of life of the affected individual.
Summary: Psoriasis can be controlled if undergoing on-time treatment. But in case of delayed treatment or when it is left treated, the condition becomes persistent and intense. Itching and pain worsen in such conditions leading to decreased quality of life of the affected ones.
Summary: Psoriasis involves inflammatory reactions and mainly affects the skin. Besides this, it can have an invasive effect on the lungs, digestive system, heart, liver, and bones too. Due to the affected immune system, the whole body is adversely affected in this condition.
Psoriasis is a skin disease and one should consult with a dermatologist for its treatment. However, there are some home remedies that can prove to be effective for the prevention and management of the condition. Some of those remedies include:
Psoriasis affects the immune system and makes it overactive as well as dysfunctional. Some of the ways to build up immunity to fight back against the disease include:
Summary: Psoriasis occurs due to malfunctioning of the immune system, hence it is important to strengthen the same to prevent risks of the disease. Adequate intake of vitamin D, antioxidants, omega-3-fatty acids, etc. are essential to boost our immunity.
Prevention of psoriasis is not possible since it is an autoimmune disease. However, its flare-ups can be prevented and it is important to keep the symptoms in control. Some of the ways that one adopt to avoid the flare-ups include:
Summary: Psoriasis can undergo flare-ups in worse conditions. Hence, one should adopt the required steps to prevent the spread. Some of those include using a humidifier, use of prescribed moisturizers, avoiding exposure to cold and dry weather, etc.
The recovery period depends on your skin type and the nature of the treatment used. For some individuals, the results can be immediate, whereas for some individuals the effect can take some time. The doctor would initially check how well you are responding to the treatment and make some changes if the desired results are not got.
In India, the cost of the treatments depends on the type of clinic or medical centre you choose. The average price can start from INR 1000 and can go up depending on the kind of treatment. When choosing the medical centre, choose a clinic with a good reputation.
Alternative treatments can include psoriasis treatment in homoeopathy. the usage of a special diet and dietary supplements plays a major role. Aloe Vera gel is known to have antioxidant properties. Hence you can consider using it. Also, fish oil is known to reduce the symptoms to an extent. You can also try using herbal creams for a brief period and look at the results after consulting with your doctor.
Psoriasis is associated with symptoms such as the presence of redness or rashes on the skin, itchy, scaly, and patchy skin with pain and discomfort. When we experience any such symptoms, we need to undergo consultation with a doctor as soon as possible, as ignorance in such cases may lead to severity of the symptoms or occurrence of flare-ups.
Although a complete cure has not been possible as far, the symptoms of psoriasis can be controlled or minimized to some extent. Early or immediate treatments are a way to prevent the severe symptoms of flare-ups and further serious complications.
As a home remedy for this disease, applying a thick cream or lotion, then stop the moisture with an ointment like petroleum jelly or olive oil helps in alleviating the conditions of this illness. It’s because dry skin makes the itching and irritation become worse. However, using too thick a cream during the summer months because sweat mixed with cream often makes psoriasis worse. Another kitchen remedy for psoriasis is to wrap your skin with plastic or a bandage before going to bed and wash the areas gently with cold water in the morning.
Alternative treatments can include psoriasis treatment in homoeopathy and psoriasis treatment in Ayurveda. The usage of a special diet and dietary supplements plays a crucial role.
Safety: High
Effectiveness: High
Timeliness: Medium
Relative Risk: Low
Side Effects: Low
Recovery Time: Medium
Price Range: RS. 1000 and above
Although the physical condition in case of psoriasis may not allow affected persons to go with their work-out schedule in an easy and comfortable way, some modifications to their work-out exercises and certain lifestyle changes may ease their struggle in doing the activities.
A healthy diet is always important for maintaining healthier skin and fighting off the flare-ups related to any skin diseases. Some of the food habits that need to be preferred in the case of psoriasis to control the severity of symptoms are such as:
As diet has an important role in maintaining healthier skin, it is always important for us to know about the food items which have a negative impact on the skin, especially in cases of skin diseases like psoriasis. Those foods are such as:
The treatment methods of psoriasis include topical applications of medicated creams, lotions, and shampoos, oral as well as injectable medications, phototherapy, coal tar, and certain lifestyle changes. The results of any of these treatment methods are effective in their ways and help in the control and management of the symptoms of psoriatic lesions or flare-ups.
However, a complete cure is not possible in such conditions of skin disease as there may be a chance of recurrence after remission. Hence the results of the treatment are not considered to be permanent.
Summary: Psoriasis is an autoimmune and chronic skin condition accompanied by inflammatory reactions on the skin. It is an incurable lifelong condition that can be controlled and managed by proper treatment under the supervision of a skin specialist. Being itchy and painful, it needs an on-time treatment as any delay in the same can lead to worsening of the condition or flare-ups.