Psoriasis: Signs, Varieties, and Remedies
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects approximately 7.5 million adults in the United States, according to recent statistics. This skin disorder, characterised by thick, scaly plaques, is not contagious and cannot spread from one person to another.
The condition occurs when T-cells in the immune system mistakenly attack skin cells, causing the body to grow new skin cells too often, resulting in the thickened skin characteristic of psoriasis. Psoriasis plaques may appear anywhere on the body, but they typically occur on the elbows, knees, lower back, scalp, and vary depending on the type of psoriasis a person has.
There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but several treatments are available to help reduce symptoms and help people cope with this lifelong condition. Treatment depends on the type and severity of psoriasis, as well as a person's overall health.
Common triggers for psoriasis flare-ups in adults include stress, infections, skin injuries, certain medications, alcohol consumption, smoking, dietary factors, genetics, and autoimmune conditions. Managing these triggers can be key to controlling symptoms.
High levels of stress can provoke or worsen psoriasis outbreaks by influencing the immune response. Infections such as strep throat or the flu can trigger flare-ups by activating the immune system. Physical trauma to the skin like cuts, scrapes, sunburns, or even injections can lead to new psoriasis lesions, a phenomenon known as the Koebner effect.
Some drugs, including beta blockers and lithium, have been identified to exacerbate psoriasis symptoms. Excessive drinking can worsen psoriasis severity by causing inflammation, interfering with immune function, and potentially reducing the effectiveness of psoriasis treatments. Tobacco use is another factor that can aggravate psoriasis.
Consumption of sugar and ultra-processed foods might also contribute to flare-ups in some individuals. A family history of psoriasis or the presence of other autoimmune diseases (like celiac disease or Crohn’s disease) increase susceptibility to flare-ups but are underlying risk factors rather than immediate triggers.
Prevention strategies for psoriasis include recognising and avoiding food triggers, making efforts to maintain a healthy weight, regularly moisturizing the skin, travelling to a sunny climate during the winter, reducing stress, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, using topical home remedies to reduce itching, and eating an anti-inflammatory diet.
There are several types of psoriasis, including plaque psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, and pustular psoriasis. Psoriasis may cause pain, stiffness, and inflammation in a person's joints and progressively damage them. In severe cases, psoriasis may develop into other health problems, including psoriatic arthritis.
In addition to lifestyle changes, medications for psoriasis include coal tar, hydrocortisone creams, salicylic acid, anti-itch agents, corticosteroids, synthetic vitamin D, retinoids, pimecrolimus cream and tacrolimus ointment, systemic therapies, biologics, and JAK inhibitors. Phototherapy involves regularly exposing the skin to certain lights and lasers to help slow cell growth, suppress immune activity, and reduce irritation.
People with psoriasis may be at a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes, lung cancer, lymphoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, and alopecia areata. Inflammatory bowel disease and certain medications used to treat psoriasis may increase the risk of developing IBD.
Remission periods between flares typically last 1-12 months. There are no proven "quick-fixes" to clear psoriasis. About 1 in 3 people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis within 5-10 years of receiving a psoriasis diagnosis. About 25% of people with psoriasis have moderate-to-severe psoriasis.
In conclusion, managing psoriasis involves a combination of understanding one's triggers, making lifestyle changes, and working closely with healthcare providers to develop a tailored treatment plan. By recognising and avoiding triggers, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and seeking appropriate medical care, people with psoriasis can effectively manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
- Psoriasis, an autoimmune skin condition, affects approximately 7.5 million adults in the US, characterized by thick, scaly plaques that may appear anywhere on the body, but are common on elbows, knees, lower back, scalp, and vary depending on the type of psoriasis.
- Treatment for psoriasis depends on the type and severity, as well as a person's overall health, with several treatments available to help reduce symptoms and manage this lifelong condition.
- Stress, infections, skin injuries, certain medications, alcohol consumption, smoking, dietary factors, genetics, and autoimmune conditions can trigger psoriasis flare-ups in adults.
- High levels of stress can provoke or worsen psoriasis outbreaks by influencing the immune response, while infections such as strep throat can trigger flare-ups by activating the immune system.
- Some drugs, including beta blockers and lithium, have been identified to exacerbate psoriasis symptoms, and excessive drinking can worsen psoriasis severity by causing inflammation and interfering with immune function.
- Consumption of sugar and ultra-processed foods might contribute to flare-ups in some individuals, while a family history of psoriasis or the presence of other autoimmune diseases increase susceptibility to flare-ups.
- Prevention strategies for psoriasis include recognising and avoiding food triggers, maintaining a healthy weight, regularly moisturizing the skin, reducing stress, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, using topical home remedies, and eating an anti-inflammatory diet.
- People with psoriasis may be at a higher risk of developing depression, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, diabetes, lung cancer, lymphoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, and alopecia areata.
