What is Psoriasis?

I know it is a skin condition but what exacly is it?

What is Psoriasis?
dandruf
Reply:It looks like flaky skin and itches.
Reply:its where you get red scaly dry splotches on your skin. its often itchy, and really embarassing and can sometimes hurt. and you can make it go away by putting seasalt in your bath water, or playing in the ocean. (but that is not a cure)
Reply:Psoriasis (sore-I-ah-sis) is a common immune-mediated chronic skin disease that comes in different forms and varying levels of severity. Most researchers now conclude that it is related to the immune system (psoriasis is often called an "immune-mediated%26amp;quo t; disorder).
Reply:Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition. There are five types, each with unique signs and symptoms. Between 10% and 30% of people who develop psoriasis get a related form of arthritis called “psoriatic arthritis,” which causes inflammation of the joints.





Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. About 80% of people who develop psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, which appears as patches of raised, reddish skin covered by silvery-white scale. These patches, or plaques, frequently form on the elbows, knees, lower back,


and scalp. However, the plaques can occur anywhere on the body.





The other types are guttate psoriasis (small, red spots on the skin),


pustular psoriasis (white pustules surrounded by red skin), inverse psoriasis (smooth, red lesions form in skin folds), and erythrodermic psoriasis (widespread redness, severe itching, and pain).





Regardless of type, psoriasis usually causes discomfort. The skin often itches, and it may crack and bleed. In severe cases, the itching and discomfort may keep a person awake at night, and the pain can make everyday tasks difficult.





Psoriasis is a chronic, meaning lifelong, condition because there is currently no cure. People often experience flares and remissions throughout their life. Controlling the signs and symptoms typically requires lifelong therapy.





Treatment depends on the severity and type of psoriasis. Some psoriasis is so mild that the person is unaware of the condition. A few develop such severe psoriasis that lesions cover most of the body and hospitalization is required. These represent the extremes. Most cases of psoriasis fall somewhere in between.
Reply:psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that effects the skin. It is believed to have a genetic component, with a specific trigger such as a staph infection, or injury to the skin, setting it off. There is currently no cure for psoriasis, only treatment.





It is not contagious.





Normally, skin is shed/renewed approximately every 21 to 28 days, but this is accelerated in psorasis, w/ the affected skin turning over as quickly as every 3 to 7 days. The oil production by the sebum cells can not keep up with this, and the skin becomes dry and flakey (in the most common, placque form of psoriasis; there are a variety of different types. It is very important to keep this skin moisturized, from the use of humidifiers, moisterizers, etc.





Psoriasis patients are generally categorized according to the portion of their bodies covered, less than 10% is considered a mild case, 10 - 20 % of the body is considered moderate, over 20% considered severe. Percentage is figured as the area of the palm of your hand = 1% of your body, so if the total amount of skin on your body would equal a total of five palm areas, you would generally be considered a moderate case.





Any part of the body may be effected, from the scalp to the toenails. Frequent sites include joints - elbows, knuckles, knees ... but any part of the body can be effected, even, strangely enough, the belly button. Nails, scalp, and rear ends are particularly difficult to clear. This dry skin can itch. peel, and break and bleed, and while the doctors will say it isn't, it can be painful. There is also a type of arthritis associated w/ psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis.





Many people receive some benefit from sunlight, and therefore their condition becomes worse during the winter months, not only b/c of lack of sunlight, but the drier air. Still, it is important not to get a sun burn when in the sun, as this can make the condition worse. A famous treatment is to visit the Dead Sea; both the salinity of the water (something like 7 times more saline than saltwater) and the atmospheric conditions have benefitted skin patients for hundreds of years.





There are special over the counter and prescription treatments for this, but the most basic thing is that any moisturizer (or soap or bath product) be fragrence free, as this can exacerbate the condition. The thicker, gloppier the moisturizer you can stand, the better.





There are generally three levels of treatment: topical (such as creams or ointments applied to the skin), phototherapy (articifial sunlight - not the tanning bed kind, a different part of the spectrum w/ or w/out medicine to make your skin more receptive) and systemic; taking pills or shots to control it. A new type of treatment, biologics, generally work on the psoriasis by blocking the bodies immune response.





Each basic type of treatment has various alternatives, as not all treatments work for all people. And, of course, each type of treatment has it's own side effect.





If you, or someone you know, has it, you need to follow the treatment plan as best you can (treatment can be difficult). If you are following the plan, and it's not working, then you should try another. Do not fall for "cures", as there currently is no cure, or products that claim to help too many different types of ailments. Many people will have opinions on this disease from the cause ("it's a nervous disorder, you need to relax" was common for decades,as is "it's your liver, you need to do a detox") to the treatment ("my cousin ate nothing but cantaloupes for a week and cleared his psoriasis".) The best thing is to educate yourself.





You can visit the National Psoriasis Foundation website for more information. Or email me.
Reply:Psoriasis and psoriasis symptoms, causes, and treatments are discussed below.
Reply:Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease that affects the skin. The vast majority of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis. Typically, characteristics include patches on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but it can be found on any area of the skin. Each patch usually looks like a red raised patch with overlying flaky white scaly surface that feels rough. The patches are well defined, can be single or multiple occurrences, and can vary in size (one to over twelve inches).





For additional information, other types of psoriasis, as well as the latest news and research regarding psoriasis, visit the following site:





http://www.psoriasite.com

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