Psoriasis is one of the most common type of skin disorder, affecting almost 2% of the population. The cause of psoriasis is unknown but it is believed to have a hereditary connection. Current studies suggest psoriasis as an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system attacks its own body cells.

 

In normal healthy skin, cells are produced every after 26 to 28 days.  In psoriasis the skin cells are produced at a very fast rate, usually within 3 to 4 days. When this happens, the newly formed cells moves faster to the skin surface as the dead cells build up on the skin surface forming up flaky scales. This rapid proliferation process affects the whole process of skin layer formation. 

 

Psoriasis Risk Factors

The following are some of the risks factors that can worsen the condition or trigger an onset of an attack;
 

Psoriasis Symptoms

Psoriasis symptoms may disappear for sometimes to re-appear once again later on in life. The main symptom are lesions that appear red, flaky patches covered with scales.  If the scales are scrapped, they expose a dark red skin that tend to bleed. Psoriasis lesions are commonly found on the scalp, elbows, lower back, knees and on the genitals. In about a quarter of the patients suffering from psoriasis, discoloration, crumbling of the nail edges and separation of the nails plate is also present.

 

Other symptoms may include, palms and soles lesions, (palmar pustular psoriasis) genital sores in males and dandruff on the scalp.

 

Psoriasis Complications

Possible complications associated with psoriasis include;

Psoriasis Diagnostics Tests

The confirmation of psoriasis diagnosis is usually made by looking at the presenting symptoms, the plaque-type skin lesions. The doctor or the nurse inspects your skin for the lesions. Your family history is also taken to identify possible hereditary connections. Other tests that may be performed include; a biopsy test, where a sample of the affected tissue is taken for further analysis.

 

Psoriasis Treatment and Management

There is no cure of psoriasis and any treatment given is directed towards slowing down the rapid growth of the skin cells and to help in healing the skin lesions. The following are the different types of treatments that are used to manage psoriasis;

 

Topical Agents - Topical medications are used to slow down the rapid growth of the skins cells, without affecting other tissues.  They come in different forms and may include; lotions, pastes, ointment, creams or shampoos. In some cases, topical steroids may also be prescribed to minimize the inflammatory process.

 

Intralesional Medications - These are steroid medications that are directly injected into the skin psoriasis patches that do not react to other treatment. Such as Aristocort, Kenalog-10 and Trymex.

 

Systemic Medications - Only used in treating severe cases of psoriasis that do not respond to other treatment due to their serious withdrawal effects (side effects). 

 

Photochemotherapy - a process where psoralen medications and ultraviolet light are combined in treating psoriasis. In photochemotherapy, you receive photosensitizing medication and at the same time, you get exposed to the ultraviolet light. The therapy is believed to work by slowing down the whole process of rapid reproduction of the skin cells.

Psoriasis Prevention

There is no known way to prevent yourself from acquiring psoriasis. However, there are a few things that you can do to protect your skin or to prevent triggering an onset;