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What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a medical condition that occurs when skin cells grow too quickly.Faulty signals in the immune system cause new skin cells to form in days rather than weeks. The body does not shed these excess skin cells, so the cells pile up on the surface of the skin and lesions form.
Psoriasis is not infectious but it is a very complex medical condition. In fact, the medical community is not certain on what actually happens during the development of psoriasis. Scientists only knew that the immune system as well as the genes has key roles in the development of such. In studying the latter, the medical experts were able to determine that people with psoriasis had T cells that mistakenly trigger reaction at the skin level. T cell is a white blood type which fights viruses and bacteria. Such reaction appears to lie on the person's DNA. Psoriasis sufferers inherit psoriasis-causing genes.There are actually several genes that are involved in the developnent of psoriasis one of which is the PSORSI. This gene regulates the immune system's capacity to combat infections. Having strep throat is actually one of the triggers of psoriasis. Nevertheless,the triggers to psoriasis are not necessarily universal hence one psoriasis sufferer's trigger may not be the trigger for another sufferer's condition.
Anyone having the 'right mix' of genes can develop psoriasis. In the US alone,there are about 7.5 million people who are suffering from psoriasis and approximately 150,000 cases are added annually. Psoriasis develops among males as well as females and in any age. However, it was reported that majority of the sufferer saw the first sign of psoriasis when they are 15 to 30 years old though they often mistook for something else. Caucasians are more prone of developing psoriasis compared to other races.It would be important to know that approximately 75% of the sufferers start to live with psoriasis before they hit the age of 40. Some sufferers reported the onset of their psoriasis when they reach the age of 50. This is more so when the psoriasis runs in the blood. While family increases the risk of psoriasis, this doesn't guarantee that a family member will suffer from the condition.
What causes psoriasis?
Psoriasis is not contagious. You cannot get psoriasis from touching someone who has psoriasis, swimming in the same pool, or even intimate contact. Psoriasis is much more complex.
So complex, in fact, scientists are still studying what happens when psoriasis develops. We know that the person's immune system and genes play key roles. In studying the immune system, scientists discovered that when a person has psoriasis,the T cells (a type of white blood cell that fights unwanted invaders such as bacteria and viruses) mistakenly trigger a reaction in the skin cells. This is why you may hear psoriasis referred to as a "T cell-mediated disease".
This reaction activates a series of events, causing new skin cells to form in days rather than weeks. The reason T cells trigger this reaction seems to lie in our DNA. People who develop psoriasis inherit genes that cause psoriasis. Unlike some autoimmune conditions, it appears that many genes are involved in psoriasis.
Scientists are still trying to identify all of the genes involved. One of the genes that has been identified is called PSORSI (SORE-ESS-1). This is one of several genes that regulates how the immune system fights infection.
Scientists also have learned that not everyone who inherits genes for psoriasis gets psoriasis. For psoriasis to appear, it seems that a person must inherit the "right" mix of genes and be exposed to a trigger. Some common triggers are a stressful life event, skin injury, and having strep throat. Many people say that that their psoriasis first appeared after experiencing one of these. Triggers are not universal. What triggers psoriasis in one person may not cause psoriasis to develop in another.
Who gets psoriasis?
People worldwide develop psoriasis. In the United States, nearly 7.5 million people have psoriasis and about 150,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Studies indicate that psoriasis develops about equally in males and females. Research also shows that Caucasians develop psoriasis more frequently than other races. A study conducted in the United States found the prevalence was 2.5% in Caucasians and 1.3% in African Americans.
A family history of psoriasis seems 40 increase the risk of developing psoriasis. It is important to know that a family history of psoriasis does not guarantee that someone will develop psoriasis.
When do people get psoriasis?
Psoriasis can begin at any age, from infancy through the golden years. There are,however, times when psoriasis is most likely to develop. Most people first see psoriasis between 15 and 30 years of age. About 75% develop psoriasis before they turn 40.Another common time for psoriasis to begin is between 50 and 60 years of age.
What are the signs and symptoms of psoriasis?
The lesions vary in appearance with the type of psoriasis. There are five types of psoriasis: Plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and erythrodermic psoriasis. About 80% of people living with psoriasis have plaque (plak)psoriasis, also called "psoriasis vulgaris." Plaque psoriasis causes patches of thick,scaly skin that may be white, silvery, or red. Called plaques (plax), these patches can develop anywhere on the skin. The most common areas to find plaques are the elbows,knees, lower back, and scalp (scalp psoriasis).
Psoriasis also can affect the nails. About 50% of people who develop psoriasis see changes in their fingernails and/or toenails. If the nails begin to pull away from the nail bed or develop pitting, ridges, or a yellowish-orange color, this could be a sign of psoriatic arthritis. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can progress and become debilitating. It is important to see a dermatologist if nail changes begin or joint pain develops. Early treatment can prevent joint deterioration.
How do dermatologists treat psoriasis?
Currently, there is no cure for psoriasis. However, there are many treatment options that can clear psoriasis for a period of time. Each treatment has advantages and disadvantages, and what works for one patient may not be effective for another. Boardcertified dermatologists have the medical training and experience needed to determine the most appropriate treatments for each patient.
There are several forms of psoriasis, and each form has unique characteristics that allow dermatologists to visually identify psoriasis to determine what type, or types, of psoriasis is present. Sometimes a skin biopsy will be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
To choose the most appropriate treatment method, dermatologists consider several
factors:
• Type of psoriasis
• Severity (the amount of skin affected)
• Where psoriasis is located
• Patient's age and medical history
• Effects psoriasis has on patient's overall physical and emotional well-being
Types of Treatment
Psoriasis treatments fall into 3 categories:
• Topical (applied to the skin)- Mild to moderate psoriasis
• Phototherapy (light, usually ultraviolet, applied to the skin)- Moderate to
severe psoriasis
• Systemic (taken orally or by injection or infusion)- Moderate, severe or
disabling psoriasis
While each of these therapies is effective, there are also drawbacks.
Some topicals are messy and may stain clothing and skin. Phototherapy can require 2 to 5 weekly visits to a dermatologist's office or psoriasis clinic for several weeks. Many of the systemic medications have serious side effects and must be combined or rotated with other therapies to maximize effectiveness and minimize side effects. Research is being conducted to find therapies that provide safe, effective, easyto-use treatment options that provide long-term relief.
Does psoriasis affect quality of life?
For some people, psoriasis is a nuisance. Others find that psoriasis affects every aspect of their daily life. The unpredictable nature of psoriasis may be the reason.Psoriasis is a chronic (lifelong) medical condition. Some people have frequent flare-ups that occur weekly or monthly. Others have occasional flare-ups.
When psoriasis flares, it can cause severe itching and pain. Sometimes the skin cracks and bleeds. When trying to sleep, cracking and bleeding skin can wake a person frequently and cause sleep deprivation. A lack of sleep can make it difficult to focus at school or work. Sometimes a flare-up requires a visit to a dermatologist for additional treatment. Time must be taken from school or work to visit the doctor and get treatment.
These cycles of flare-ups and remissions often lead to feelings of sadness, despair,guilt and anger as well as low self-esteem. Depression is higher in people who have psoriasis than in the general population. Feelings of embarrassment also are common.Knowledge is power
As psoriasis is a life-long condition, it is important to take an active role in managing it. Learning more about psoriasis, seeing a dermatologist to discuss treatment options, and developing a healthy lifestyle can help people live life to the fullest.

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