Psoriasis is a condition that causes large patches of skin to be red, dry, itchy, and scaly. It varies in severity from small sporadic patches to complete body coverage.
Let’s take a look at the causes, triggers, effects, and types of psoriasis, and what can be done about it.
Causes of Psoriasis
A lot of evidence suggests a direct correlation between psoriasis and genetic causes. About 25 unique gene variants can cause the condition, although there is no concrete explanation as to why it plagues some people with these genes but not others.
It is widely believed in the medical community that psoriasis is most likely an autoimmune condition. The T cells are immune system cells that are supposed to fight off viruses and invading bacteria, but in psoriasis they seem to attack healthy skin cells instead.
This creates a wide range of issues, like the enlargement of blood vessels in the skin, an increase in white blood cells, and an increase in the number of skin cells on top of existing skin cells – which causes the development of thick, scaly patches that itch incessantly.
Triggers of Psoriasis
Certain external factors can contribute greatly to the chance of developing an exacerbation of psoriasis, including:
- Cold weather
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking
- Infections
- Skin injuries
- Excessive stress or tension
- Certain medications
- Other autoimmune disorders
By identifying which triggers can set off an episode, a person with psoriasis can try to avoid those triggers in order to prevent additional outbreaks. Certain infections, like strep throat (which is caused by a bacterial infection) or tonsillitis, can trigger the onset of the disease in young people who never showed any symptoms previously.
Types of the Condition
There are many different types of psoriasis, including:
- Plaque psoriasis
- Guttate psoriasis
- Inverse psoriasis
- Pustular psoriasis
- Erythrodermic psoriasis
Most people with this condition have plaque psoriasis. This type causes dry, red plaques on the skin that are covered with silvery or light-colored “scales.”
Effects of Psoriasis
Psoriasis speeds up the life cycle of skin cells, which results in cells building atop other cells. Having psoriasis makes a person more susceptible to developing certain diseases like psoriatic arthritis, type 2 diabetes, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and many other illnesses.
Psoriasis often appears in cycles – and just because it went away once does not mean it will go away the next time you experience a flare-up. Once the condition is triggered, it will likely reappear periodically for the rest of your life.
Treating Psoriasis
Although psoriasis has no cure, treatment can help alleviate the symptoms. Topical therapy is used to treat mild cases, UV (ultraviolet) phototherapy for moderate cases, and systemic agents for severe cases.
The goal of treatment is to try to slow the production of skin cells and keep new patchy areas from forming. These patches most frequently form on a person’s elbows, knees, scalp, soles of the feet, palms of the hands, and lower back.
Health and Wellness Center in Weatherford, Texas
If you have unexplained skin problems and suspect that you may have psoriasis, getting a diagnosis is extremely important in order to help prevent or lessen future flare-ups.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment at AlphaCare Wellness Center by calling (817) 550-6332 or request a consultation online. It’s time to take the first step toward better, clearer, healthier skin!
