WHAT IS PSORIASIS?
Psoriasis is a skin condition/disease, whose main symptoms are grey or silvery flaky skin patches which are red and inflamed underneath. Psoriasis affects 2 percent of the population in the UK. Commonly affected areas include the scalp, elbows, knees, navel, palms, ears and groin. Psoriasis is autoimmune in origin, and is not contagious. Around a quarter of people with psoriasis also suffer from psoriatic arthritis, which is similar to rheumatoid arthritis in its effects. It may appear for the first time at any age, although it is more likely to appear between the ages of 11 and 45.
Psoriasis was first given that name in complete differentiation from other skin conditions by the Austrian dermatologist Ferdinand von Hebra in 1841, although there are what are believed to be descriptions of the disease in sources going back to ancient Roman and possibly even biblical times. Psoriasis is derived from the Greek word 'psora', which means itch.
Psoriasis - Here are some of the facts
What are the symptoms?
Normally there is a constant shedding of dead cells. However, due to the acceleration of the replacement process, both dead and live cells accumulate on the skin surface.
Often this causes red, flaky, crusty patches covered with silvery scales, which are shed easily.
It can occur on any part of the body although it is most commonly found on the elbows, knees, lower back and the scalp.
It can also cause intense itching and burning.
Who is at risk?
Psoriasis affects approximately 3% of people globally - quite a number of people!
It can start at any age, but often develops between the ages of 11 and 45.
The condition is not contagious and most people only have small patches on their body.
There is a genetic link. About 30% of people with one first degree relative with psoriasis develops the condition.
This genetic tendency appears to need to be triggered by infection; certain medicines, including ibuprofen and lithium; psychological factors, including stress; or skin trauma.
Fast Facts
Psoriasis is a dry, scaly skin condition in which cells are produced too quickly
Normally skin cells take about 21 to 28 days to replace themselves, in psoriasis they take around 2 to 6 days
It affects approximately 3% of people globally
It usually develops between the ages of 11 and 45
It is not contagious
Psoriasis is unpredictable
Some people with the condition suffer from social exclusion and discrimination
There is no way of predicting who will develop psoriasis. 50-60% of people who first experience it do not know of anyone else in their family who has had it.
What are the causes of Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a condition which runs in families, but the exact way in which the disease moves from generation to generation has not yet been established. Apparently, the tendency to contract psoriasis is stored in a person's genes, but it is by no means certain that it will ever develop. Exposure to certain stimuli, such as a streptococcal infection in the throat, alcohol, medicines or local irritation or damage to the skin, may cause an outbreak of psoriasis in persons who have this genetic predisposition.
There are two main types of psoriasis: Psoriasis vulgaris (plaque psoriasis) and Psoriasis pustulosa (pustular psoriasis). The different types of psoriasis can be divided into subgroups according to severity, duration, location on the body and appearance of the lesions.
Around 6% percent of the people who have psoriasis apparently also get psoriatic arthritis in the joints. Psoriatic arthritis primarily occurs in fingers and toes, but is also quite common in the back bone.Psoriasis is driven by the immune system, especially involving a type of white blood cell called a T cell. Normally, T cells help protect the body against infection and disease. In the case of psoriasis, T cells are put into action by mistake and become so active that they trigger other immune responses, which lead to inflammation and to rapid turnover of skin cells. These cells pile up on the surface of the skin, forming itchy patches or plaques.
The first outbreak of psoriasis is often triggered by emotional or mental stress or physical skin injury, but heredity is a major factor as well. In about one-third of the cases, there is a family history of psoriasis. Researchers have studied a large number of families affected by psoriasis and identified genes linked to the disease. (Genes govern every bodily function and determine the inherited traits passed from parent to child.)
People with psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, then improves. Conditions that may cause flareups include infections, stress, and changes in climate that dry the skin. Also, certain medicines, including Lithium salt and beta blockers, which are prescribed for high blood pressure, may trigger an outbreak or worsen the disease.
I've added this page of information on Psoriasis because I have a huge interest in the skin, which, in fact ,is the largest organ of the body, and because I suffer with this condition and feel I can help others who have the same issues. I would like to share information with you and I would like to share products with you that I am using and which work for me as a maintenance. I say a maintenance because I know of no cure for the condition and I've been through all the doctors, dermatologists and specialists so I know first hand what does not work!
A consultation with me on this subject is free of charge and I can make recommendations based on what I've found to work for me so I'm talking from the heart and is one of the reasons I promote and distribute
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Don't we all want and deserve to have beautiful skin? Of course we do since the skin is a very visible organ unlike some of the other organs of the body and this condition can make you feel like there's a monster inside you appearing on the outside!
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more information.
