Red, scaly patches on your skin can be embarrassing, and you might do your best to hide them when youre out in public.
If you are living with these signs of psoriasis, however, you are far from alone. In the United States, about 8 million people have a form of psoriasis.
Psoriasis can cause significant discomfort, both physically and emotionally. It is more than just dry skin, and treating it is important to improve quality of life.
Read on to learn more about this condition, who is at risk, the complications and how it is treated and prevented.
Psoriasis is a hereditary skin condition that causes areas of the skin to shed rapidly. It can cause patches of raised skin or blisters on the scalp, elbows, knees, trunk or lower back. It is a chronic condition that can return multiple times. There are many kinds of psoriasis, with plaque psoriasis being the most common form.
People with a family history of psoriasis have a higher risk of developing it themselves. It can be triggered by stress or emotional disorders, or even by certain types of medication. Infections or skin injuries can also cause a flare-up.
A common side effect of psoriasis is psoriatic arthritis, which affects between 10 and 30 percent of people with the condition. Psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation in the joints and may damage joints permanently. People with psoriasis also have a higher chance of developing diabetes, heart disease and other serious conditions.
Various treatments can improve psoriasis symptoms. Topical treatments include steroid creams, vitamin A or vitamin D3 creams, and moisturizers. Medications are also available, though some are reserved for severe cases due to serious potential side effects. Ultraviolet light treatments can also reduce inflammation.
Treatment for your psoriasis can vary as you age because your body may react differently to medications and your skin can change over time, says Dan Bushnell, administrator at Gramercy Court Assisted Living. If you begin to experience new side effects, or if treatments dont work as well as they did in the past, be sure to talk to your doctor about other options.
Psoriasis is hereditary, and there is no way to prevent a person from developing the condition at some point. However, avoiding triggers like stress, sunburns and infections can keep flare-ups at bay. Caring for your skin can keep the condition under control. Use creams, lotions and humidifiers to keep your skin moist. Watch out for medications that increase your risk for a flare-up.
Psoriasis can have a major impact on your quality of life, especially if you are dealing with a severe case. While this condition cant be cured, there are treatments to improve symptoms and reduce flare-ups. If you are experiencing psoriasis symptoms, work with your physician to find the right treatment to keep it from running your life.
Dr. Amy Osmond Cook is a health care technology consultant and VP of marketing at Simplus, a platinum Salesforce partner.
More here:
Five things you should know about psoriasis - Daily Herald
- Why Jews With Psoriasis Might Think Twice About Seeking Treatment in Jordan - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Skin conditions leave emotional scars - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis Free Forever Review | How This Program Helps People Treat The Root Causes Of Their Psoriasis Symptoms ... - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis | University of Maryland Medical Center - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis Treatment, Symptoms, Pictures, Types, Prognosis ... - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis: MedlinePlus - U.S. National Library of Medicine - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - December 20th, 2013 [December 20th, 2013]
- Psoriasis Symptoms, Treatment, Causes, Medication Information ... - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Psoriasis Free For Life Review - Watch This Before You Buy - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Natural Psoriasis Relief in Seattle, Washington - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- PSORIASIS VULGARIS - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Top 5 Powerful Home Remedies For Psoriasis - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- Psoriasis feedback after hijama - Video - December 21st, 2013 [December 21st, 2013]
- 9 Home Remedies For Scalp Psoriasis - Video - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- Manga - Psoriasis - Video - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- How to treat psoriasis | In Good Shape - Interview - Video - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- Best Scalp Psoriasis Treatment - Video - December 22nd, 2013 [December 22nd, 2013]
- Sandoz begins Phase III clinical trial for biosimilar adalimumab - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Psoriasis - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- What Is Psoriasis? - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Psoriasis Treatment Medical Course - Video - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Healing Psoriasis Hypnosis Session - Video - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Natural Farm cure for Skin Problems like Psoriasis - Video - December 26th, 2013 [December 26th, 2013]
- Psoriasis - 100% Natural Treatment Shivax® - December 27th, 2013 [December 27th, 2013]
- Psoriasis Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What is psoriasis ... - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- 79 PSORIASIS SYMPTOMS HOMEOPATHY TREATMENT K N SRIDHAR P3 - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- 79 PSORIASIS SYMPTOMS HOMEOPATHY TREATMENT K N SRIDHAR P2 - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- 79 PSORIASIS SYMPTOMS HOMEOPATHY TREATMENT K N SRIDHAR P1 - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- Can Acupuncture treat psoriasis and other scalp disorders? - Video - December 28th, 2013 [December 28th, 2013]
- Psoriasis - Wikipédia - December 31st, 2013 [December 31st, 2013]
- Psoriatic nails - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - December 31st, 2013 [December 31st, 2013]
- How to Cure Psoriasis - Psoriasis Symptoms, Treatment, Causes, Medication Information - Video - December 31st, 2013 [December 31st, 2013]
- Psoriasis Chronicles - Dealing with Depression, Anxiety and Anger - Video - January 2nd, 2014 [January 2nd, 2014]
- How to Prevent Psoriasis Flare-Ups - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- Psoriasis Treatment | Health Plus | Studio N - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- Ayurvedic Remedy for Psoriasis - By Panditha Elchuri - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- Silica Gel For Psoriasis / Neurodermatitis - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- comment traiter son psoriasis détail oubliés - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- Psoriasis tends to relapse after stopping Methotrexate, shown in a case at Life Force - Video - January 4th, 2014 [January 4th, 2014]
- hiking nevada Health and Wellness Enthusiast Dawn Talks About Managing Plaque Psoriasis hiking watch - Video - January 5th, 2014 [January 5th, 2014]
- Guttate psoriasis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - January 7th, 2014 [January 7th, 2014]
- Biofeedback May Help Control Stress-Related Diseases - January 8th, 2014 [January 8th, 2014]
- Psoriasis can be managed with proper treatment - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- CNN anchor: How I fight psoriasis - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - My Home Remedies - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- Psoriasis: MedlinePlus en español - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- Psoriatic arthritis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- CNN anchor Zain Verjee: How I fight psoriasis - January 11th, 2014 [January 11th, 2014]
- Testimonio psoriasis - Video - January 14th, 2014 [January 14th, 2014]
- Heroin addict with severe Psoriasis - Video - January 15th, 2014 [January 15th, 2014]
- biospray for Psoriasis - Video - January 15th, 2014 [January 15th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - Psoriasis Free For Life - Video - January 15th, 2014 [January 15th, 2014]
- 8 Cure For Scalp Psoriasis - Video - January 15th, 2014 [January 15th, 2014]
- Learn about plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse ... - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - Symptoms, Triggers, and Causes of Psoriasis on WebMD - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, Home Remedies - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis Treatment - Dermasis Psoriasis Cream - My Honest Review - Video - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- TV Commercial Psoriasis Speaks Couple Looking At Rings In Jewelery Store Emotional - Video - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- TV Commercial Humira Psoriasis Medication Salon Clearer Skin is Possible - Video - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Pictures Slideshow - Video - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - Medscape Reference - January 19th, 2014 [January 19th, 2014]
- 5 Home Remedies For Scalp Psoriasis - Video - January 19th, 2014 [January 19th, 2014]
- Ikonsulta Mo: Medical Advise on Psoriasis - Video - January 19th, 2014 [January 19th, 2014]
- Patient Recruitment: Television Campaign for Severe Psoriasis - Video - January 23rd, 2014 [January 23rd, 2014]
- Patient Recruitment: Television Campaign for resistant, summertime Mild to Moderate Psoriasis - Video - January 23rd, 2014 [January 23rd, 2014]
- Dr stephen ferguson ND PhD chronic fatigue psoriasis cured - Video - January 23rd, 2014 [January 23rd, 2014]
- Noir Naturals Age of Innocence (Unscented) Goat's Milk Lotion for Psoriasis Relief - Video - January 23rd, 2014 [January 23rd, 2014]
- New biologic drugs offer relief for psoriasis sufferers - January 24th, 2014 [January 24th, 2014]
- Psoriasis traitement appliquer le lait pour le corps ISO UREA MD Vidéo La Roche Posay INFO PSO - Video - January 24th, 2014 [January 24th, 2014]
- Psoriasis - Video - January 24th, 2014 [January 24th, 2014]
- Coping with psoriasis - Video - January 26th, 2014 [January 26th, 2014]
- Exfoliative Dermatitis/Psoriasis Vulgaris with Psoriatic Arthritis with English Subtitles - Video - January 26th, 2014 [January 26th, 2014]
- Psoriasis skin care routine 2014 - Video - January 27th, 2014 [January 27th, 2014]
- How to treat psoriasis effectively - By Franziska Ringpfeil, Board Certified Dermatologist - Video - January 28th, 2014 [January 28th, 2014]
- My Psoriasis 411: Apple Cider Vinegar Tutorial for Scalp Treatment - Video - January 29th, 2014 [January 29th, 2014]
- 12 Best and Worst Foods for Psoriasis - January 31st, 2014 [January 31st, 2014]
- Psocial Psoriasis en radio Tagoror - Video - January 31st, 2014 [January 31st, 2014]
- Psocial Psoriasis en Canarias Hoy - Video - January 31st, 2014 [January 31st, 2014]
- Psoriasis Natural Treatment that Workswww savevid com - Video - January 31st, 2014 [January 31st, 2014]