Common Symptoms of Psoriasis Skin Disease
Affecting close to one in every 50 adults, psoriasis skin disorder is a physical condition that can cause considerable psychological suffering. Clinical research has come to the conclusion that even though psoriaisis manifests itself as a skin complaint, the actual onset is rooted in the immune system of the body.
Common psoriasis symptoms include skin that is salmon colored, scaly, flaky and irritated. One of the more commonplace types is called plaque psoriasis where the affected area develops oval, round or irregular formed patches covered with scaly, silvery colored skin. The shape and sizes of the patches varies widely and several smaller areas can merge together to form one bigger shape of irritated scaly skin. Besides being unsightly, these bigger areas are inclined to crack and begin bleeding.
The area of affected skin can become very sore and feel as though it is burning. Like the shape, there is no consistency as to the length of time a specific flare-up will last. It could last a week to twleve days or you may have to suffer it for a number of weeks. One of the worst aspects for sufferers is that it is a lifelong complaint and repeated flare-ups can happen at any time.
Even though any part of the torso can be affected by psoriasis, the most frequent areas are the hands, scalp, trunk, elbows and knees. Flare-ups are inclined to be symmetrical, which means that both sides of the body will experience flare-ups in the same areas at the same time.
It seems that hereditary factors also play a part in who is likely to develop psoriasis. Individuals whose parents or grandparents suffered with the ailment have a greater chance of developing it as well. For some obscure reason, T-cells, which are needed to make the white blood cells which help our bodies to fight infection, cause the skin to become inflamed. T-cells also in some way trigger the production of an excess of skin cells. With nowhere else to go, these extra skin cells pile up on top of one another and produce the telltale appearance of raised patches on the skin’s exterior. The red appearance is caused by the increased blood supply that is required to nourish these skin cells.
Injuries to the skin, sun and streptococcal infections are common triggers of Psoriasis. Changes in the bodies hormone levels as well as stress and anxiousness can also trigger off outbreaks. Folks with early stages of HIV seem to have higher instances of psoriasis as well. Smokers and alcohol drinkers are considered to be at greater risk of developing psoriasis although it is not contagious and cannot be passed on.
In the absence of any known cure for psoriasis, there are various effectual treatments that can at least alleviate the symptoms. Begin by keeping the affected areas damp and by resisting the temptation to scratch.
The first course of treatments are localized and are applied directly to the affected surface area with the ultimate aim of trying to stem the production of excess skin cells. Coal tar, salicylic acid, corticosteroids, synthetic vitamin D, tazorac and anthrallin are common topical treatment options as are specially formulated bathing products and moisturizers. For more severe cases where topical treatments maybe ineffectual, systemic medications may be prescribed by the doctor. Phototherapy, where patients are exposed to medically-supervised UV radiation is also effectual in the treatment of psoriasis.
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