Psoriasis Overview

By Emily Goldstein

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder characterized by patches of inflamed skin covered in scales. Researchers estimate that psoriasis affects one to two percent of the U.S. population. It is generally found in fair-skinned people between the ages of 10 and 40. The disorder also has genetic components, so psoriasis can run in families.

Causes

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease in which a malfunctioning immune system attacks the body’s healthy tissue. Recent research shows the immune system malfunctions when the T-cell, a type of white blood cell, becomes overactive, which leads to the increased turnover of skin cells.

In a person not affected by psoriasis, it takes about a month for the skin cells to grow and rise to the surface in a process called turnover. With psoriasis, turnover can occur in only a few days. The skin cells grow too quickly – up to ten times faster than normal. This causes inflamed, scaly patches of skin.

Outbreaks of psoriasis are often unpredictable. These flare-ups, however, can be brought on by dry weather, emotional stress, dry skin, skin injuries, viral or bacterial infections, sunburn, alcohol use or being overweight.

Symptoms

The main symptom of psoriasis is the presence of plaques, the patches of itchy, scaly and inflamed skin. Plaques most often appear on the knees, elbows and scalp, but they can also occur on the torso, palms, soles of feet, back, fingernails and toenails. The severity of psoriasis varies, with plaques covering small amounts or large portions of the skin. Those with severe psoriasis often become self-conscious of their appearance, which can lead to feelings of insecurity and depression.

Treatments

There is no cure for psoriasis, but there are three main forms of treatment: topical treatments, phototherapy and oral medication. Different treatments work for different people, and affective treatment is often finding a balance among the remedies available. With the proper treatment, symptoms of psoriasis often subside within weeks.

Many doctors have patients soak in a warm bath for 10 to 15 minutes and then apply a topical treatment. These include steroid creams and ointments, coal tar ointments and shampoos, and vitamin-A gels. Steroid creams and ointments, as well as vitamin-A gels, can have side effects. Steroid creams and ointments generally work faster, but vitamin-A gels have fewer side effects. All treatments should only be used with a doctor’s supervision.

For more severe psoriasis, some doctors prescribe phototherapy, the exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays. Some studies have shown that phototherapy causes an increased risk of skin cancer, but newer processes are being developed to decrease this problem.

When other treatments fail, doctors often prescribe oral medication. However, these medications can also have side effects. In addition, many new medications are being tested that target the immune system.

Various alternative methods of treatment exist. However, none of these alternatives has proven to help with psoriasis, and they can be dangerous.

Psoriasis is a common skin disorder that varies in severity but can often be managed with proper treatment.