Causes and Symptoms of Psoriasis

Affecting in the region of one out of every 50 adults, psoriasis is a physical condition that can cause significant psychological suffering. Clinical studies have concluded that even though psoriaisis shows itself as a skin condition, the actual cause is rooted in the immune system of the body.

There are a number of assorted symptoms connected with a flare up of psoriasis including salmon colored skin which becomes cracked, flaky and irritated. With plaque psoriasis, which is also the most commonplace form, the afflicted areas develop round, oval or odd shaped areas of red which are covered with skin that is scaly and silvery colored. There is no consistence in the size or shape of the patchy areas and on occasions, several smaller patches can fuse together and appear as one big odd shape of irritated skin. sometimes cracks and bleeds|These areas are unsightly and sometimes crack and start bleeding].

Affected skin can be sore and frequently has a burning sensation. There are no hard and fast rules as to how long any certain flare-up will last. It could last a week to twleve days or you may have to endure it for several weeks. One of the worst aspects for those affected is that it is a lifelong condition and repeated flare-ups can happen at any time.

Even though any part of the body can be affected by psoriasis, the most frequent areas are the hands, head, trunk, elbows and knees. Flare-ups are inclined to be symmetric, meaning that both sides of the body will experience flare-ups in the same areas at the same time.

Hereditary factors play some role in psoriasis meaning that those folks with parents or grandparents who have had psoriasis have an increased chance that they will develop it also. For some unknown reason, T-cells, which are required to make the white blood cells that assist our bodies to fight infection, cause the skin to become inflamed. These same cells also set off some bodily process which results in the over production of skin cells. Because these skin cells are surplus to requirements, they simply stack up on top of each other and in turn create the telling raised patches on the skins surface. The red look is a result of increased blood supply that is required to nourish these skin cells.

Although not the causes of psoriasis, frequent triggers include sunlight, streptococcal infections and traumas, both past and present, to the skin Anxiety and stress can also spark an outbreak as can changes in hormone levels. Higher incidences of psoriasis have also been noted in those folks with the early stages of HIV infection. Cigarette smokers who also drink alcohol increase their risks of developing psoriasis.

Presently, there is still no recognized remedy for psoriasis. Nevertheless there are several effective treatment options that can alleviate the symptoms. Begin by keeping the affected areas damp and by resisting the temptation to scratch the area.

The initial line of treatments are localized and are applied directly to the affected surface area with the ultimate aim of trying to stem the production of surplus skin cells. Coal tar, salicylic acid, corticosteroids, synthetic vitamin D, tazorac and anthrallin are common localized treatment choices as are specially developed bathing products and moisturizers. Systemic medications are prescribed to treat more serious cases. Another effectual means of psoriasis treatment is with the use phototherapy, where, under strict medical supervision, the sufferer is exposed to UV radiation.

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