The red, scaly skin patches, small red dots, or blisters can show up due to buildup of cells on the skin’s surfaces. It occurs most often on the scalp, knees, elbows and torso and can be extremely itchy and painful. Psoriasis arthritisleads to inflammation that can affect the entire body and may lead to permanent joint and tissue damage if it is not treated early and aggressively.
Psoriasis should be taken seriously as the patients not only suffer physically due to this condition but it greatly impacts their self-esteem and emotional well-being.
There lies a lot of stigma and misunderstanding about this condition, and more people should learn more about the disease.
Here's a few interestingfacts about psoriasis you would like to know:
It is not just a skin thing or a normal rash: Although the skin condition is most obvious including the scalp, where it can cause dandruff, it's not really a skin disease. It's an autoimmune disease, where a person’s immune system has been compromised. The body cannot tell the difference between healthy cells and foreign bodies. As a result, the body attacks its own organs and cells.
You must know that there’s currently nocure for this condition. A severe condition of psoriasis can come and go without warning, even though several treatments can reduce the number of flare-ups and bring on remission for a certain period of time, it doesn’t go away completely. The time span of the disease varies from person to person. Only rising awareness will lead to more treatments or even a cure.
Triggers come in all shapes and sizes. If you are leading a stressful lifestyle, you can definitely cause the condition of psoriasis to flare up. Other triggers like skin injuries, infections, too much exposure to sunlight, smoking and even consumption of alcohol can cause psoriasis to occur or worsen. For those living with the condition, it’s important to recognize your triggers and try taking steps to protect your skin.
Psoriasis can happen anywhere on your body, it is an unpredictable disease that can develop on any part of the body, but more commonly in areas including the scalp, knees, elbows, hands and feet. Facial psoriasis is rare in comparison to other places on your body and this typically develops along the hairline, eyebrows and the skin between the nose and upper lip.
There are many different kinds of psoriasis: Plaque psoriasis is the most common type, characterized by raised, red patches of dead skin cells. There are also other types with distinct lesions. Several people suffer from psoriatic arthritis. This type of psoriasis causes arthritis symptoms like joint inflammation along with skin irritation.
Psoriasis is not the same as eczema: Psoriasis is often confused with the most common form of eczema, which is wrong. Psoriasis lesions typically have sharper borders and thicker scaling than atopic dermatitis. Patients who have atopic dermatitis will usually start experiencing symptoms in early childhood and it’s often associated with allergic conditions, such as asthma, seasonal allergies and food sensitivities. They tend to be itchier, less well-defined and present in different parts of the body, like the face and body fold areas of the arms and the legs. When people think of psoriasis, it usually refers to chronic plaque psoriasis, which is the most common form of the disease.
Psoriasis Facts And Myths
Psoriasis Myths:
Stress can trigger a flare of the pre-existing condition but does not give you psoriasis. Your body’s immune response to stress is the same one that sets off psoriasis’ symptoms. Studies show stress may even prevent your medications from working as quickly as they should. Meditation, regular exercise, and other relaxation techniques may be helpful.
Psoriasis isnot contagious. Our skin cells live for about a month and then die and drop off the skin. With psoriasis, the skin cells die much faster, which means that dead ones pile up and flake off. It is most likely a combination of genes and triggers in the environment, including stress, some medications and certain infections that can cause this. However, one thing is clear that you cannot catch it from someone else.
In case you are told that hot water heals and you are taking a warm bath or shower to ease tension, remember your skin dries out in hot water which can cause itching. Try cool water, ice packs and refrigerated lotions to help your skin cool down.
Diet makes no difference is a myth again because too much refined sugar is known to ramp up inflammation in your body and can cause or worsen a flare. Fatty red meats, processed foods and dairy products do the same. The omega-3 in fish oil, on the other hand, helps ease inflammation and calm psoriasis symptoms.
Exercise makes your condition worse is nothing but a myth. Infact, studies show that intense physical activity reduces outbreaks. It’s good for your heart as well as your mood.
Psoriasis Facts
Psoriasis can take a toll on your mental health. Don’t shy away from talking about it. You may think it’s best to withdraw from social gatherings but talking about it with the right person can help you deal or understand the condition, you will feel less alone or anxious and this support will help you heal.
Apple cider vinegar can help soothe an itchy scalp. You have to mix it in a 1:1 ratio with water. Rinse after keeping it for a while. Do not do this if your scalp is cracked or bleeding.
The risk of heart diseases may increase due to psoriasis.Your chances of having a stroke, heart attack, high cholesterol or an irregular heartbeat double when you have psoriasis.
You should avoid alcohol and smoking as these may keep your psoriasis treatment from working the way it should. Some psoriasis medications have dangerous side effects for women when mixed with alcohol.
Take baths which are relaxing. You may add bath salts, bath oils or oatmeal to ease your itch and lock in the moisture with a thick cream afterward.
Some plant-based or natural ingredients, herbs and certain spices work well enough for psoriasis and you can find them in ointments as well. While capsaicin helps lower pain, turmeric works as an anti-inflammatory. Speak to your doctor before using any of these.
Psoriasis Statistics
Psoriasis affects people of all ages and irrespective of where you are from. The reports suggest psoriasis is a serious global problem with at least 100 million individuals affected worldwide.
Conclusion
ESR Test can be booked easily through MediBuddy to help determine if you have any inflammatory disease or not. This test will allow your doctor to understand your condition better, suggest further tests and rule out some of the diseases associated with the symptoms.
