The Psoriasis Site

Psoriasis is a skin disease that can manifest itself in many ways. It is common to have blushed scaly patches on the elbows, knees or scalp. It is also common to have similar skin problems in other parts of the body. Psoriasis is not contagious. Most have fairly mild psoriasis symptoms, while some may get more severe symptoms. While psoriasis is not curable, there are many treatments that can alleviate or make the skin problems disappear for long periods.

The Skin Has Several Layers

The skin is composed of different layers and they have the task of protecting the body against ultraviolet radiation and bacterial and viral attacks. The skin also helps keep the body temperature. The outer skin layer is called the epidermis. Ultimately in the epidermis is the stratum corneum, which consists of dead skin cells. From below new skin cells are formed all the time, which steadily replaces old cells that become detached. The turnover of skin cells will take about six or seven weeks.

Skin Inflammation

When you have psoriasis cells in the skin are formed faster than usual. A protecting layer wont be formed and because the skin can not create it fast enough and detachment of cells is no longer one by one, but in large flakes. It is due to an inflammation of the skin and in the utmost parts of the skin. Inflammation increases blood circulation which makes the skin blushe and become hot. Psoriasis often comes in the so-called relapse. This means that you can have periods with little or no inconvenience, and periods when the disease is flaring up and the skin rash gets bigger.

Why Do You Get Psoriasis?

Both hereditary and environmental factors have a bearing roll on whether you get psoriasis or not. Exactly how psoriasis is inherited is not clear but the risk of getting the disease increases if someone else in the family has psoriasis. Here are some environmental factors that can trigger and worsen the disorder:

• Infections
• Mental stress
• Certain drugs
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• An injury in the skin, for example, abrasion or after a burn injury
• Too little sun, and sometimes even too much sun

For most people the disease shows itself in the 20′s or in 40-50-year-old’s, but psoriasis can occur in all ages.

The Disease Is Not Curable But Can Be Alleviated

How much problems you get can be different from person to person. Most have a mild form of psoriasis and suffers less than others by the disease. But if the disease breaks out when one is young or about anyone else in the family also has the disease it increases the risk that it may lead to somewhat more difficult problems. For some the problems may be so big that they affect the entire social life. Then it is important to both receive treatment that relieves and to find a way to live with the disease. Good support is available if you talk with your doctor or other health care professionals. There are also patients’ associations which you, for example, may be able to speak with to recieve support from their own experience of living with psoriasis. There are also special clubs for young people. Sometimes a difficult period of psoriasis goes away by itself while others need to get treatment. For many it is sufficient to be treated with creams and ointments. If this does not help, you may need medication or treatment such as UV light.

Can Lead To Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a disease in those who have psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis usually breaks out when one is 30-55 years and skin symptoms will usually show before the disorder. The disease is as common in women as in men. Nearly one-fifth of all people with psoriasis may have this problem.