In conjunction with Psoriasis Awareness month, which is commemorated annually in August, we take this as to raise awareness of psoriasis disease. Psoriasis Awareness month is an opportunity to engage and educate people on various topics, including management, treatment, causes, and triggers of the inflammatory and frequent uncomforting disease.
This disease affects men and women of all races and ages. It can present itself on many parts of the body at any given time. Therefore, understanding what you can do when it affects you or others is vital. Here are 10 facts that you should know about psoriasis:
1. Psoriasis is correlated to immune system problems
As we know, the white blood cells in our body are our protectors from various diseases, infections and also to heal our wounds. Our body is prone to react to something such as an infection like strep throat which leads the immune system to generate more messengers or proteins.
But with psoriasis, our blood white cell messengers tend to attack our healthy cells too which causes new skin cells to rush to the surface quicker than they usually would which creates those silvery red patches and other signs of psoriasis. The fundamental of inflammation brought on by an overactive immune system may also have an effect on other body parts too.
2. Psoriasis is genetic
One of the main risk factors for having psoriasis appears to be genetics. Your probability of being diagnosed increases if one or both of your parents were affected.
3. Psoriasis is known to be a chronic condition
At the time being, there is no cure for psoriasis, but there are several treatment options that can help us manage it.
If you found yourself affected, it is recommended for you to go see a dermatologist about your psoriasis symptoms quickly so as to get psoriasis under control and sort of putting it to stop.
4. Psoriasis is not contagious
There is no need for anyone to keep their distance from the infected as psoriasis is not contagious, even by touching other people with psoriasis patches. It is typical for people with mild to severe psoriasis to feel stigmatized by their condition.
You may find them avoiding activities that require them to reveal their skin like going to the beach or swimming. Psoriasis can have a major emotional toll on people such as depression which is common among them.
So, it is important to get rid of the idea of psoriasis marks are contagious or that we should stay away from individuals that have psoriasis flare.
5. Psoriasis is not always presented how you would expect
Plaque psoriasis is the most typical form, and while it can appear in other forms as well, most people are familiar with the red, silvery, scaly patches that are common in it.
While nail and scalp psoriasis occasionally only affects a specific body area, pustulous psoriasis is defined by pustules all over the body. Guttate psoriasis is different from other types of psoriasis in that it presents as tiny bumps and may not be chronic.
It normally occurs when a person has a seemingly unrelated sickness, like strep throat, and it may go away when the body completely eliminates the active infection.
6. You may experience a flare-up when you’re sick
When your body is protecting itself from an infection like a cold, your immune system tends to double the work that it usually would.
When your body is working harder to go up against the bacteria or virus, it also increases the white blood cells that tend to target the healthy cells, which could lead to a psoriasis flare on top of the illness we are experiencing.
7. The nails may show symptoms as well
The nails may show signs of outer psoriasis. You will get these oil-drop lesions on the nail, and it looks like a translucent red or yellow discoloration. The nail plate may begin to pull up or the nails may develop pits, debris, or crust form underneath, and the condition may become uncomfortable.
8. Psoriasis can affect your joints
Psoriatic arthritis is a kind of arthritis that can develop in up to 30% of persons with psoriasis and is caused by the same inflammatory reactions that cause skin patches, as well as osteoarthritis, which is normally brought on by excessive use and cartilage disintegration.
Since inflammation is the root cause of psoriatic arthritis, swelling is typically greater. That is why it is crucial to follow a treatment plan that addresses the fundamental of the inflammation rather than solely relying on topical creams if joint discomfort occurs together with psoriasis.
It is recommended for you to see a rheumatologist, together with a dermatologist.
9. Depression is common among psoriasis patients
It is found that psoriasis patients have an increased risk of depression, although doctors are not entirely sure if it is caused by the embarrassment and frustration over their physical conditions, or it’s correlated with the fundamental of inflammation, or could be both simultaneously.
10. Reducing stress is one of the keys to psoriasis treatment
Besides topical creams or drugs that regulate the condition, stress-relieving activities are crucial in preventing psoriasis flare-ups. There is a correlation between these inflammatory diseases and stress-related flare-ups.
While stress-reduction methods like meditation or exercise are unlikely to totally alleviate your psoriasis symptoms, they may prevent further deterioration.
11. Dermatologists’ treatment is more effective than at-home remedies
Despite the fact that there is several useful information on psoriasis and how to treat it online, it is advised for you to see a board-certified dermatologist before considering any at-home treatments.
A dermatologist visit can dramatically change the situation as it gets you treated early and to a definite point quickly instead of going through all the trial and error of at home remedies.
