Psoriasis
An Overview of Psoriasis Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
While there are many skin conditions that can cause discomfort, one of the most well-known but least understood is psoriasis. This skin condition, which is often chronic and can affect individuals for decades, is usually caused by the body’s immune system. When people who suffer from psoriasis experience a flare up of symptoms, it is because the immune system sends out an overload of information to the skin cells. This causes cells to grow much more rapidly than normal, which leads to irregular patches of itchy, inflamed skin, which characterize psoriasis.
This condition can affect either gender and is usually more prevalent in adults than children. Psoriasis can only be diagnosed by a doctor, who can advise you on specific treatment options that are appropriate for your unique situation, and any side effects that may result from them.
Psoriasis Symptoms
In many cases, psoriasis is caused by genetic factors and tends to run in the family. In other circumstances, the condition is caused by a faulty immune system that stimulates skin cells to stack on top of each other and create patches of rough, irregular, and often scaly skin. Patches caused by psoriasis are usually red and can have very irregular shapes which are easily visible.
Psoriasis flare ups can occur without warning and appear on any part of the body, but the patches are most commonly seen on the back and on the extremities. In some cases, the patches can become itchy or tender to the touch, especially if they are further irritated by dryness, scratchy fabric, or stress. People who smoke may also find that using tobacco makes their psoriasis worse.
In some individuals, psoriasis symptoms may be present only on the scalp or the finger and toenails. This may lead to dry flaky skin on face, and a scaly scalp that is likely to be chronically flaky. When psoriasis presents in the nails, it will often cause them to appear yellow, brittle, and peel away easily from the nail bed. This can lead to infection.
Psoriasis of the nails is the only type of this skin condition that can be treated surgically, as doctors may remove nails that have become infected or toenails that curl in on themselves and impair walking. However, symptoms are much more likely to appear on the back, legs, and arms than on your finger and toenails.
Psoriasis Treatments
Unlike many other skin conditions, psoriasis cannot be treated with lasers or light therapy. There are also no surgical options for those who suffer from the problem. Most treatments are either given through prescription topical creams and ointments or oral medications, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Less severe cases can usually be treated with a number of creams and preventative care, such as quitting smoking and avoiding situations that are unnecessarily stressful.
More severe cases are usually treated with prescription medications that suppress the immune system so that extra cell growth is inhibited. Those who take these oral medications should only do so under the careful guidance of a physician, as many of them do have a high instance of dangerous side effects.
Psoriasis Treatment Side Effects
Topical creams and ointments that are used to treat psoriasis usually have a low instance of side effects, but those who use them should watch out for any allergic reactions that may occur with their use. Oral medications for more severe cases may prove effective but also have a number of side effects because they suppress the immune system. This leaves those who take the drug vulnerable to infections that may make them very ill. Because of this, no one should take psoriasis medication without first consulting a dermatologist about their symptoms.
What causes psoriasis? I think I may have psoriasis on my scalp.
My two children have both suffered from psoriasis, sadly the genes are to blame.
I think the above comments little exaggerate the condition. It is really not all that bad. Both my children had childhood eczema and that was much worse I think.
It is very unfortunate that there has not been any psoriasis cure developed. I think the psoriasis treatments that treat the symptoms work just as well. Sadly the condition does keep coming back time after time. I truly believe a good diet can help with treating psoriasis. Sometimes the psoriasis symptoms can be very subtle so much so that some do not even know they have the condition.
I know that psoriasis may be transferred genetically but there have been instances when they have not been able to trace it back to genes. I don’t think they know of any other causes of psoriasis.
Have they found a psoriasis cure yet? I know in many times it can be very bad for some people. I myself have not been affected by this serious skin condition but I have seen psoriasis pictures on the internet and they look very bad. I feel for the people who suffer from this condition.
Are there any psoriasis treatments available in Sydney?
I don’t know if I do have psoriasis but my scalp has some itchy and strange overgrowths which may be a psoriasis plaque and really want to get it checked out at a dermatology clinic in Sydney. Any advice on where to go would be great help.
Psoriasis is a very bad skin condition, though I am still not sure what causes psoriasis to just appear and then disappear just to re-appear again. I had scalp psoriasis when I was younger but more recently I have noticed psoriasis developing on my nails. For people who suffer from scalp psoriasis there are scalp psoriasis treatments available at some special clinics in Melbourne. You can also buy special psoriasis shampoo which works as a psoriasis treatments for the scalp.
For my nail psoriasis I have purchased a topical cream which will hopefully help with that. I am only lucky is a very mild case, yet still makes me feel very uncomfortable.
Has anyone used methotrexate for psoriasis? It is apparently the ‘final’ solution if all else fails to help. I have read the side effects of the drug and they seem very intense. What is the best diet for psoriasis?
Is there an effective natural way to treat PSORIASIS? I have tried think more than 50 treatment creams and other solutions and oral medicines but only find one effective treatment cream. You can give a try and maybe it is compatible with your kind of Psoriasis. In our case unless we explore what is suitable for our case we should not stop looking for the one that is effective for us. I have found mine and I will share this to you.