12 Fact about Psoriasis
12 Fact about Psoriasis
@healtbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | Health blog
- Psoriasis is not infectious. It is a lifelong disease caused by myriads of factors such as genetics and stressful environments.
- Psoriasis is a disorder of the skin marked by heightened cell division of the skin cells leading to red superficial bumps with dry flaky scales which can be itchy and painful.
- Currently, there is no cure for psoriasis, only symptomatic treatment and prevention of a flare up. During its remission phase, the skin surface returns to normal.
- Skin surfaces affected by psoriasis can be localized to certain parts of the body such as ears, elbows, knees, scalp, navel, or nail. At its extreme, it can also affect the entire body.
- Stressful life situations and certain medications can trigger a flare up.
- Even minimal skin injury such as sunburn, abrasion, and cuts can trigger a flare up.
- Medications such as beta blockers (classification of medicine that reduces blood pressure, e.g. metoprolol, propanolol) and NSAIDS (e.g. ibuprofen, advil, celecoxib, naproxen) can trigger an exacerbation of symptoms.
- Psoriasis can be managed to bring about a remission in which the physical symptoms abate. However, there are cases which leave disfiguring scars.
- Out of the five kinds of psoriasis, the most commonly seen is plaque psoriasis characterized by red skin patches covered by white scales.
- There is a strong genetic link to the development of psoriasis. Although. oftentimes, it can skip a generation.
- The inflammation brought about by psoriasis can increase predisposition to psoriatic arthritis, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease.
- Psoriasis is a disabling disease compounded by discrimination that can lead to psychological problems, notably depression.
