What is Psoriasis?
Cause of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is described as a chronic non-contagious, autoimmune skin disease . Psoriasis is a skin disease that will flare up or go into remission at anytime when you least want or expect it to. The immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells.
Types of Psoriasis
Five types of psoriasis include plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic.The most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis . It appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale.
Psoriasis most commonly appears on the scalp, knees, elbows and torso, but it can develop anywhere, including the nails, palms, soles, genitals and face (which is rare).
Psoriasis Flareups
Psoriasis flareups have been linked to prolonged stress, severe trauma or injury of some type, and even forms of severe illness.
Psoriasis happens when the skin plaques are thought to be reacting to the over reactive immune system. The immunce system quickly creates several unwanted new skin layers upon the top skin’s surface. Since there is not been enough time to naturally shed the original top layers of skin before the new skin rebuilds, this causes the very unwanted extra skin layer effect.
Psoriasis Anxiety
For the most part people with psoriasis function normally. Sometimes people experience low self-esteem or depression because of it. Psoriasis is often misunderstood by the public, which can make social interactions difficult. This may lead to emotional reactions such as anxiety, anger, embarrassment and depression.
Cures for Psoriasis
Since there is no cure for psoriasis, control is the best that can be done for any level of this irritating and embarrassing disease. Many of the creams, ointments and salves that doctors will prescribe usually contain coal tar, retinoic acid, and vitamin D derivatives. There are also prescriptions of medicines that contain steroids or other
Natural Remedies for Psoriasis
There are many people who prefer to use herbal treatments for their psoriasis. Just as doctor prescribed treatments, the herbal treatments also include creams , ointments, salves and bath soaks. Most of these herbal treatments include Aloe Vera that is very effective in softening the skin plaques. Oatmeal baths are also highly effective in the extra skin softening for better flaking and removal of psoriasis infected areas. For natural skin healing, there are highly effective herbs like chickweed and cumfrey. These natural methods are to also include diet improvement and adjustments in proper vitamin intake.
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition. There are five types, each with unique signs and symptoms. Between 10% and 30% of people who develop psoriasis get a related form of arthritis called “psoriatic arthritis,” which causes inflammation of the joints.
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. About 80% of people who develop psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, which appears as patches of raised, reddish skin covered by silvery-white scale. These patches, or plaques, frequently form on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp. However, the plaques can occur anywhere on the body.
The other types are guttate psoriasis (small, red spots on the skin), pustular psoriasis (white pustules surrounded by red skin), inverse psoriasis (smooth, red lesions form in skin folds), and erythrodermic psoriasis (widespread redness, severe itching, and pain).
Regardless of type, psoriasis usually causes discomfort. The skin often itches, and it may crack and bleed. In severe cases, the itching and discomfort may keep a person awake at night, and the pain can make everyday tasks difficult.
Psoriasis can occur at any point in the lifespan, affecting children, teenagers, adults and older people. It affects males and females equally.
Normally there is a constant shedding of dead cells. However, due to the acceleration of the replacement process, both dead and live cells accumulate on the skin surface. Often this causes red, flaky, crusty patches covered with silvery scales, which are shed easily.
