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| Psoriasis What is Psoriasis? Psoriasis is a persistent skin disease that derives its name from the Greek word for "itch". The skin becomes inflamed - producing red, thickened areas with silvery scales, most often on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. In some cases, psoriasis is so mild that people don't know they have it. At the opposite extreme, severe psoriasis may cover large areas of the body. Doctors can help - even the most severe cases. Psoriasis occurs in two percent of the population. It can be a mildly annoying problem or can destroy the self-esteem and life of the victim. Although it is not contagious, it is an ugly disease that can alienate co- workers and acquaintances. This disease can be consuming. The ugliness of the patches, the chronic itching and flaking, although not life threatening, impact the self-esteem and life style of the psoriasis victim. Time and money are spent trying to keep it under control. Often, therapy costs are covered by insurance, but it can be quite expensive. While psoriasis is not life threatening, it can greatly affect your appearance, self-esteem and overall quality of life. It can develop anywhere on the skin, though it usually appears on the scalp, knees, elbows and torso. It also may affect the nails and joints. Skin psoriasis has several common symptoms. It is often itchy and may cause painful drying, cracking or blistering of the skin. Psoriasis affecting the joints can cause pain and make movement more difficult. Red, raised areas of skin called plaques characterize plaque psoriasis, the most common form of the disease. Plaque psoriasis can range from mild to severe. Approximately 20 to 25 percent of cases are severe. Other forms of the disease include guttate psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis and pustular psoriasis. Psoriasis also can be categorised by location on the body, such as scalp psoriasis, nail psoriasis, and joint psoriasis, also known as psoriatic arthritis. Most people with psoriasis develop it in their 20s, but the disease can occur at any age, even childhood. It is equally common in men and women, and tends to run in families. Treatments for psoriasis include the use of skin creams, light therapy, and pills or injections. What Causes Psoriasis? The cause is unknown. However, recent discoveries point to an abnormality in the functioning of key white cells in the blood stream triggering inflammation in the skin. Because of the inflammation, the skin sheds too rapidly, every three to four days. Psoriasis cannot be passed from one person to another, though it is more likely to occur in people whose family members have it. People often notice new spots 10 to 14 days after the skin is cut, scratched, rubbed, or severely sunburned. Psoriasis can also be activated by infections, such as strep throat, and by certain medicines. Flare-ups sometimes occur in the winter, as a result of dry skin and lack of sunlight. Types of Psoriasis Psoriasis comes in many forms. Each differs in severity, duration, location, and in the shape and pattern of the scales. The most common form begins with little red bumps. Gradually these grow larger and scales form. While the top scales flake off easily and often, scales below the surface stick together. When they are removed, the tender, exposed skin bleeds. These small red areas then grow, sometimes becoming quite large. Elbows, knees, groin and genitals, arms, legs, palm and soles, scalp and face, body folds and nails are the areas most commonly affected by psoriasis. It will often appear in the same place on both sides of the body. Nails with psoriasis have tiny pits on them. Nails may loosen, thicken or crumble and are difficult to treat. Types of Psoriasis
Psoriasis and a link with arthritis Arthritis can also stem from psoriasis, attacking the joint spaces, giving the psoriasis victim another disease process to deal with. Up to 30% of people with psoriasis may have symptoms of arthritis and 5-10% may have some functional disability from arthritis of various joints. In some people, the arthritis is worse when the skin is very involved. Sometimes the arthritis improves when the condition of the patient's skin improves. Diagnosis Dermatologists diagnose psoriasis by examining the skin, nails, and scalp. If the diagnosis is in doubt, a skin biopsy may be helpful. Back to top Treatment The goal is to reduce inflammation and to control shedding of the skin. Moisturizing creams and lotions loosen scales and help control itching. Special diets have not been successful in treating psoriasis, except in isolated cases. Treatment is based on a patient's health, age, lifestyle, and the severity of the psoriasis. Different types of treatments and several visits to the dermatologist may be needed. The doctor may prescribe medications to apply on the skin containing cortisone-like compounds, synthetic vitamin D, tar, or anthralin. These may be used in combination with natural sunlight or ultraviolet light. The most severe forms of psoriasis may require oral medications, with or without light treatment. Sunlight exposure helps the majority of people with psoriasis but it must be used cautiously. Ultraviolet light therapy may be given in a dermatologist's office, a psoriasis centre or a hospital. Types of Treatment Steroids (Cortisone) Cortisone creams, ointments, and lotions may clear the skin temporarily and control the condition in many patients. Weaker preparations should be used on more sensitive areas of the body such as the genitals, groin, and face. Stronger preparations will usually be needed to control lesions on the scalp, elbow, knees, palms and soles, and parts of the torso and may need to be applied under dressings. These must be used cautiously and with the dermatologist's instruction. Side effects of the stronger cortisone preparations include thinning of the skin, dilated blood vessels, bruising, and skin colour changes. Stopping these medications suddenly may result in a flare-up of the disease. After many months of treatment, the psoriasis may become resistant to the steroid preparations. The dermatologist may inject cortisone in difficult-to- treat spots. These injections must be used in very small amounts to avoid side effects. Scalp Treatment The treatment for psoriasis of the scalp depends on the seriousness of the disease, hair length, and the patient's lifestyle. A variety of non-prescription and prescription shampoos, oils, solutions, and sprays are available. Most contain coal tar or cortisone. The patient must take care to avoid harsh shampooing and scratching the scalp. Anthralin A medication that works well on tough-to-treat thick patches of psoriasis. It can cause irritation and temporary staining of the skin and clothes. Newer preparations and methods of treatment have lessened these side effects. Vitamin D A synthetic Vitamin D, calcipotriene, is now available in prescription form. It is useful for individuals with localised psoriasis and can be used with other treatments. Limited amounts should be used to avoid side effects. Ordinary Vitamin D, as one would buy in a chemist or health food store, is of no value in treating psoriasis. Retinoids Prescription vitamin A-related gels may be used alone or in combination with topical steroids for treatment of localised psoriasis. Prescription oral vitamin A-related drugs may be prescribed alone or in combination with ultraviolet light for severe cases of psoriasis. Side effects include dryness of the skin, lips and eyes, elevation of fat levels in the blood, and formation of tiny bone spurs. Retinoids should not be used by pregnant women or women of childbearing age who intended to become pregnant during or within 3 years of discontinuation of therapy, as birth defects may result. Close monitoring is required together with regular blood tests. Back to top Coal Tar For more than l00 years, coal tar has been used to treat psoriasis. Today's products are greatly improved and less messy. Stronger prescriptions can be made to treat difficult areas. Goeckerman Treatment Named after the Mayo Clinic dermatologist who first reported it in 1925. Combining coal tar dressings and ultraviolet light, it is used for patients with severe psoriasis. The treatment is performed daily in specialised centers. Ultraviolet exposure times vary with the kind of psoriasis and the sensitivity of the patient's skin. Light Therapy Sunlight and ultraviolet light slow the rapid growth of skin cells. Although ultraviolet light or sunlight can cause skin wrinkling, eye damage, and skin cancer, light treatment is safe and effective under a doctor's care. People with psoriasis all over their bodies may require treatment in a medically approved center equipped with light boxes for full body exposure. Psoriasis patients who live in warm climates may be directed to carefully sunbathe. Seek the advice of a dermatologist before self-treating with natural or artificial sunlight. PUVA When psoriasis has not responded to other treatments or is widespread, PUVA is effective in 85 to 90 percent of cases. The treatment name comes from "Psoralen + UVA," the two factors involved. Patients are given a drug called Psoralen, and then are exposed to a carefully measured amount of a special form of ultraviolet (UVA) light. It takes approximately 25 treatments, over a two- or three-month period, before clearing occurs. About 30-40 treatments a year are usually required to keep the psoriasis under control. Because Psoralen remains in the lens of the eye, patients must wear UVA blocking eyeglasses when exposed to sunlight from the time of exposure to Psoralen until sunset that day. PUVA treatments over a long period increase the risk of skin aging, freckling, and skin cancer. Dermatologists and their staff must monitor PUVA treatment very carefully. Methotrexate An oral anti-cancer drug that can produce dramatic clearing of psoriasis when other treatments have failed. Because it can produce side effects, particularly liver disease, regular blood tests are performed. Chest x-rays and occasional liver biopsies may be required. Other side effects include upset stomach, nausea and dizziness. Cyclosporine An immunosuppressant drug used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs (liver, kidneys). It is used for treatment of widespread psoriasis when other methods have failed. Because of potential effects on the kidneys and blood pressure, close medical monitoring is required together with regular blood tests. Summary The exact causes of psoriasis are complex and not fully understood, but genetic traits leading to abnormalities in the body's response to infection are believed to be the underlying basis. A specialised type of white blood cell called a T-cell has been identified as playing a key role in the inflammation that eventually leads to psoriasis plaques and related symptoms. There are many therapies available to help control your psoriasis. It may take some time to find a regimen that works for you. Your treatment plan should take several factors into account, including the severity of your psoriasis, your lifestyle and your general health, as well as the efficacy and safety profile of the treatment. In the future, treatments that target the underlying causes of the disease may hold hope for longer symptom-free periods with reduced risk of side effects. Back to top |
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