Common Symptoms of Psoriasis Skin Disease

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Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects in the region of one in fifty adults while also causing significant mental suffering to those folks that are afflicted with the condition. One of the most intriguing discoveries related to what causes psoriasis skin disease is that its onset is rooted within the body’s immune system.

The symptoms of psoriasis include skin that is salmon colored, scaly, tender and irritated. One of the most commonplace forms is called plaque psoriasis where the afflicted area develops oval, round or irregular shaped patches covered with scaly, silvery colored skin. The shape and sizes of the patches varies widely and several smaller areas can merge together to form one bigger shape of irritated scaly skin. As well as being unsightly, these bigger areas are inclined to crack and start bleeding.

The area of affected skin can become really itchy and feel as though it is burning. As with the shape, there is no consistency as to the length of time a particular flare-up will last. It could last a week to twleve days or you might have to suffer it for a number of weeks. One of the worst aspects for those affected is that it is a lifelong complaint and recurring flare-ups can happen at any time.

Body areas that are most often affected include the trunk, head, elbows and knees although any part of the body can develop symptoms of psoriasis. One strange anomaly is that flare-ups tend to be balanced in as much that both sides of the body will be afflicted in identical areas at the same time.

It appears that hereditary factors also play a part in who is likely to develop psoriasis. Folks whose parents or grandparents suffered with the complaint have a greater prospect of developing it as well. For some unknown reason, T-cells, which are required to produce the white blood cells which help our bodies to fight infection, cause the skin to become inflamed. T-cells also in some way set off the production of an excess of skin cells. With nowhere else to go, these extra skin cells amass on top of one another and produce the telltale appearance of raised areas on the skin’s exterior. The red appearance is a result of increased blood supply that is necessary to nourish these skin cells.

Traumas to the skin, sunlight and streptococcal infections are common triggers of Psoriasis. Changes in the bodies hormone levels as well as stress and anxiousness can also trigger off outbreaks. Individuals with early stages of HIV seem to have higher instances of psoriasis as well. Smokers and alcohol drinkers are thought to be at greater risk of developing psoriasis although it is not infectious and cannot be passed on.

Currently, there is still no known cure for psoriasis. However there are several effective treatment choices that can ease the symptoms. Resisting the temptation to scratch the affected area and keeping it damp is a great start.

The first line of treatments are topical and are applied directly to the affected area with the ultimate aim of trying to stem the production of excess skin cells. Coal tar, salicylic acid, corticosteroids, synthetic vitamin D, tazorac and anthrallin are common localized treatment choices as are specially developed bathing products and moisturizers. For more serious cases where localized treatments maybe ineffectual, systemic medications may be prescribed by the doctor. Phototherapy, where patients are exposed to medically-supervised UV radiation is also effective in the treatment of psoriasis.

Common Symptoms of Psoriasis Skin Disease

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