Understanding Psoriasis and Its Triggers
Psoriasis is an inflammatory disorder of the skin which presents with silvery and red patches when skin cells develop too quickly. There may be layered scales and it will be textured. The National Psoriasis Foundation reports that over 125 million people have Psoriasis. The National Institute of Health states that more than 7 million people in the United States have Psoriasis.
Psoriasis can be found anywhere on the body, though it is more frequent on the scalp, arms and legs, elbows and knees. It can be found evenly between men and women, and in all races. Psoriasis knows no boundaries and can appear at any age, though it appears more commonly between the ages of 18 to 35. While children can present with Psoriasis, it is much more common in adults.
Psoriasis is defined as being mild, moderate or severe based on the amount of skin coverage. If Psoriasis covers less then three percent of the body it is classified as mild. Moderate Psoriasis is three to ten percent coverage. If more than ten percent of the body has Psoriasis, it is classified as severe.
Psoriasis can be very uncomfortable and itchy. Skin cells turn over in adults at the rate of 25-45 days. In the person with Psoriasis, this skin turnover happens very rapidly. This accelerated rate causes the skin to build up upon itself. This can cause cracking or bleeding of the skin, along with great discomfort. Psoriasis can cause embarrassment and uncomfortable feelings associated with the person’s skin appearance. People may try to cover it up with clothing, or have self-esteem issues due to the appearance and feeling of their skin.
There is no cure for Psoriasis at this time, but there are methods that help control it. A Dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in skin disorders and diseases. Going to a Dermatologist can help you control your Psoriasis. There are creams and medications that can help clear the skin of Psoriasis for periods of time.
Stress, medication, injuries, along with factors such as smoke and hormonal issues can cause Psoriasis to flare up. Learning what causes your Psoriasis to react more is one way to help control Psoriasis. Understanding what triggers the reaction will help you to avoid those scenarios or products such as excessive alcohol.
Making sure your skin is moist is very important. Moist skin will not feel as dry or itchy. Not itching your skin will help to prevent it from becoming inflamed or painful.
The National Psoriasis Foundation can be helpful in finding further information.
