What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a genetically programmed inflammatory disease that affects primarily the skin in about 3% of individuals in the United States. Psoriasis begins as a small scaling papule. When multiple papules coalesce, they form scaling plaques. These plaques tend to occur in the scalp, elbows, and knees.
Symptoms of Psoriasis
Although psoriatic plaques can be limited to only a few small areas, the condition can involve widespread areas of skin anywhere on the body. These plaques can be itchy, and when the scale is peeled away, small bleeding points may appear. Psoriasis tends to occur in areas of trauma. This condition often waxes and wanes spontaneously.
What Causes Psoriasis?
The exact cause of psoriasis remains unknown. There may be a combination of risk factors, including genetic predisposition and environmental factors. It is common for psoriasis to be found in members of the same family. The immune system is thought to play a major role. Despite research over the past 30 years looking at many triggers, the "master switch" that turns on psoriasis is still a mystery. White blood cells called T-cells mediate the development of the psoriatic plaques that we seen in the skin.
Stress Reduction
Although there is no doubt that psoriasis is a potent inducer of stress, the evidence that stress causes psoriasis is sparse. Dealing with stress with or without psoriasis is a challenge for most people living in the 21st century
Is Psoriasis Curable?
No, psoriasis is not currently curable. However, it can go into remission and show no signs of disease. Ongoing research is actively making progress on finding better treatments and a possible cure in the future.
Psoriasis is a common skin disease, which is caused when the immune system mistakes skin cells with pathogen, and sends out faulty signals which speed up skin cells growth cycle.
There are five psoriasis types, which namely are plaque, guttate, inverse, erythrodermic and pustular. The most common type is plaque psoriasis, which can be seen as red and white hues of scaly patches on the top layer of the skin. This psoriasis type causes skin to accumulate rapidly, mostly in the elbows and knees areas, but is also sometimes found in the scalp, soles of feet, genitals and also palms of the hands.
Sometimes mild psoriasis may be mistaken with eczema, but the difference between the two can be noted as psoriasis is mostly found on the outer side of the joints, rather than the inner.
Though there are times when psoriasis is manifested only in minor skin areas, there are cases where it covers the whole body. In mild psoriasis cases, fingernails and toenails are also affected. Psoriasis may at times appear focused on joint areas, which is commonly known as psoriatic arthritis. In fact, up to about 30% of all psoriasis patients also suffer from psoriatic arthritis as well.
Approximately 65% of all cases are classified as mild psoriasis, where it affects less than 3% of the body. During assessment of each patient, for severity to be determined, one takes in consideration the proportion of the body affected by psoriasis, disease activity (including depth of redness, thickness and scaling of the affected skin), physical and emotional impact on the patient as well as previous therapies and their effect on the skin disease.
While there is conflicting opinions about what causes mild psoriasis, it is known to occur mostly with dry skin. Some also note that mild psoriasis starts to appear after an injury to the skin, such as a cut or scratch, which could lead us to think that infection of the skin plays a role in psoriasis development.
Psoriasis affects both males and females, and age plays no role in psoriasis development. However it is most commonly diagnosed for the first time between ages 15 and 25. Though there is not much proof yet, genetics may also affect psoriasis possibility, since around a third of psoriasis patients have a family history of the same disease.
Psoriasis has the tendency of affecting patients with other diseases including depression, heart failure, diabetes and hypertension. Physical discomforts may also be caused depending on what areas psoriasis appears at. It also causes itching and pain, which interferes with the most basic automatic movements of us humans. Some tend to feel emotional about their skin condition, which at times causes patients to feel self conscious and fear public rejection.
Psoriasis Treatment
Independent studies claim that psoriasis symptoms can be relieved by changes in both the diet and also lifestyle of the individual. In fact, psoriasis symptoms lessen or increase when habits related to alcohol, smoking, stress, weight and sleep are changed.
There are also natural products which help lessen drastically the effects of psoriasis:
Aloe Vera speeds recovery from physical injuries, and at the same time hydrates the skin and accelerates skin repair. It is in fact commonly used to treat psorisis, acne and other skin infections.
• Vitamin E (as Tocopherol and Tocopheryl Acetate) – the ‘skin vitamin,’ an antioxidant that combats free radical damage, softens and moisturizes.
• Vitamin A (as Retinyl Palmitate) – a powerful antioxidant which enhances elasticity while moisturizing and reducing scaliness.
• Vitamin C (as Ascorbyl Palmitate) antioxidant which enhances elasticity. Also helps inhibit formation of scar tissue.
• Lecithin – an excellent emollient which improves suppleness of the skin.
• Borage Seed Oil – provides the skin with gamma linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid) which helps restore moisture.
• Bisabolol – a natural, soothing ingredient with a light citrus aroma, suitable for even sensitive skin.
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride – a natural emollient from coconut oil which moisturizes without the heavy, greasy feel of other oils.
• Soybean Oil – A texture-enhancing moisturizer with antioxidant properties.
• Vitamin A (as Retinyl Palmitate) – a powerful antioxidant which enhances elasticity while moisturizing and reducing scaliness.
• Vitamin C (as Ascorbyl Palmitate) antioxidant which enhances elasticity. Also helps inhibit formation of scar tissue.
• Lecithin – an excellent emollient which improves suppleness of the skin.
• Borage Seed Oil – provides the skin with gamma linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid) which helps restore moisture.
• Bisabolol – a natural, soothing ingredient with a light citrus aroma, suitable for even sensitive skin.
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride – a natural emollient from coconut oil which moisturizes without the heavy, greasy feel of other oils.
• Soybean Oil – A texture-enhancing moisturizer with antioxidant properties.
Aloe Vera leaves used from many of the years to heal and soften the skin. It is also help in to provide relief in constipation and symptoms of many skin disorders. Garden of life primal defense
ReplyDelete