Psoriasis

Psoriasis:

Psoriasis is a disease of skin which is caused by cells turnover in the skin. In psoriasis, the cells grow very fast and rise to the skin’s surface so it can develop in few days. Mostly psoriasis causes swelling and scaling with patches of thick and red in color.

They can be found on the knees, scalp, elbows, soles of the feet, lower back, palms, face, other parts of the legs, finger nails or toenails, inside the mouth and genital area. It commonly occurs in adults.

Men and women equally affected by this disease. Certain genes and family history of psoriasis can get this disease. Stress, certain medicines, changes in weather and infection can cause the skin get worse.

Types of psoriasis:

• Plaque psoriasis
• Quattate psoriasis
• Inverse psoriasis
• Pustular psoriasis
• Erythrodermic psoriasis

Causes: Psoriasis develops when the skin cells grow rapidly and the immune system tells the body to over-react. These skin cells grow and are shed from the skin’s surface. In psoriasis, skin cells mature in 3 to 7 days. Genes and family history of psoriasis also can develop psoriasis. Patients who have psoriasis, can experiences stress strep infection, sunburn, skin injuries and certain medications.

Diagnosis: Your health care provider takes a small skin sample, and then he looks it under a microscope for diagnosed of psoriasis.

Treatment:

Topical treatment:

Bath solutions may make the skin good. Apply creams or lotions to the affected area. Topical treatment can help the unclog pores and reduce skin cell turnover. It can also reduce swelling and suppress the immune system.

Systemic treatment:

Systemic treatment is good for severe psoriasis. Your health care provider may prescribe medicines or drugs. Antibiotics are not effective and don’t use to treat the severe psoriasis.

Light therapy:

Natural UV rays such as UVA or UVB from the sun and artificial ultraviolet light both are good for treatment of psoriasis.

Combination therapy:

Combination therapy can also give better results. In combination therapy, more than two therapy may make combine to treat psoriasis.

Anthralin:

Anthralin reduces the speed of cells turnover. Your health care provider may prescribe anthralin cream, ointment or paste. Apply it to the affected area for 15-20 minutes to treat chronic psoriasis lesions. After this wash off your skin with lukewarm water.

Topical retinoid:

Topical retinoid is available in form of gel, lotions or creams which contain vitamin A. Apply it to the affected area for few minutes. Pregnant patients don’t use retinoid. It is effective and less irritating treatment.

Moisturizers:

Apply moisturizers to the affected area. It may help to reduce itching and scaling. It is very effective, if apply for a long time.

Psoralen and ultraviolet A phototherapy:

It is also known as PUVA. This is a treatment of combination of topical administration of a medicine and UVA light. Take PUVA treatment for at least two times a week. It is associated with side effects such as headache, burning, nausea and itching.