How to Live With Psoriasis: Improve Your Self-Esteem and Immune System
Scientists believe that psoriasis is caused by a glitch in a person’s immune system. A type of white blood cell known as a T cell is responsible for helping to protect the body against infections. But in psoriasis, T cells are put in motion by mistake. This in turn causes other immune system responses, creating a fast turnover of skin cells. These build up on the surface and form scaly patches that are called plaques. In a normal person a skin cell takes twenty eight days to mature and fall off; with psoriasis this turnover takes only three or four. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the malady, occurring in eighty percent of the patients with the disease. The skin lesions that are associated with plaque psoriasis are red at the base and they are covered with silvery or grayish hued scales. People afflicted with this variety have these red, raised areas of inflamed skin most commonly on their chest, back, elbows, knees, and scalp. The silvery scales constantly fall off and are quickly replaced by others.
The second most common form of psoriasis is guttate psoriasis, where tiny, tear drop shaped, pink or red lesions appear on the skin. It seems to be associated with upper respiratory infections and can go away quickly or persist for some time. Pustular psoriasis, a particular unpleasant kind, is marked by noninfectious pus filled blisters that come with intense scaling. Inverse psoriasis is accompanied by red patches that show up in the folds of the skin under armpits, breasts or genitals. Sweating can worsen the condition, so named because it shows up in places where the other forms do not. Erythodermic psoriasis is a dangerous mode of the disease, because it is so extreme. The shedding and redness of the skin is much more pronounced and it can interfere with the skin’s ability to help regulate body temperature and immune functions. Over twenty percent of people with psoriasis are also have psoriatic arthritis, which causes stiffness most often in fingers and toes, but can, in worse case scenarios, be disabling.
Psoriasis, as we have discussed, is usually found on the torso, elbows, knees and scalps, but it can occur anywhere on the body, even under the nails. It usually crops up in people between ages fifteen and twenty five, but can develop at any age. Men and women are equally liable to have psoriasis, and it does not discriminate along racial lines.
There appears to be various triggers that can cause outbreaks of psoriasis. These triggers include stress, injury to the skin, reactions to some drugs, and some kinds of infections. These triggers vary from person to person; what can precipitate an outbreak in one person may not in another.
One of the worst symptoms that come with psoriasis is itching. Certain chemicals beneath the psoriasis patches stimulate nerve fibers. These cause “itch messages” that are carried to the brain. Keeping affected areas moisturized is one way to alleviate the itching. There are a number of medicines, topical or taken orally, that can help this problem. The itching associated with psoriasis can make walking painful.
The treatment of psoriasis depends on the severity of the condition. Topical medicines, those applied to the skin, include over the counter and prescription types. Anthralin is one prescription drug that has proved effective in battling plaque psoriasis. Dovonex is a form of synthetic vitamin D3 that slows down skin cell growth, and removes scales. Salicylic acid takes off scales and coal tar is available over the counter as a treatment. Corticosteroids can control mild to moderate psoriasis lesions and are easy to use, but are a prescription drug. Bath oils and moisturizers are also used to fight the disease. Lubricated skin had reduced itching and redness and heals faster. Moisturizers such as Eucerin, Bag Balm, Vaseline and other hand creams are helpful towards this end. Bathing in water that has had Epsom salts added to it can remove scales and calm the itching. Other psoriasis treatments include phototherapy, sun and water therapy and control of one’s diet.
The low self esteem that can come with psoriasis can be devastating. The disease is often misunderstood by the public, making someone with it to feel like an outcast. It can cause them to not be able to play sports or work at an occupation they enjoy. Social functions are avoided because of self-conscious feelings. Research is ongoing to find the exact causes of psoriasis, which hopefully will one day lead to a cure.
