Psoriasis Awareness Month
What You Need To Know About Psoriasis
August is Psoriasis Awareness Month, if you think you might have psoriasis or you have been newly diagnosed we have laid out some of the facts about this skin condition and address some of the important questions you might be asking yourself.
“Psoriasis affects more than 3% of the US adult population. That is more than 7.5 million US adults” Armstrong et al., JAMA Derm 2021. You aren’t alone and the best way to address this immune-mediated disease is to learn more about it.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a disease with an unclear cause that is characterized by inflammation caused by dysfunction of the immune system. There may be visible signs of inflammation such as raised plaques and scales on the skin.
This occurs because the overactive immune system speeds up skin cell growth. Normal skin cells completely grow and shed in a month. With psoriasis, skin cells do this in only three or four days. Instead of shedding, the skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin. Some people report that psoriasis plaques itch, burn, and sting. Plaques and scales may appear on any part of the body, although they are commonly found on the elbows, knees, and scalp.
Inflammation caused by psoriasis can impact other organs and tissues in the body. People with psoriasis may also experience other health conditions. One in three people with psoriasis may also develop psoriatic arthritis. Signs of PSA include swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints and areas surrounding the joints. PSA often goes undiagnosed, particularly in its milder forms. However, it’s important to treat PSA early on to help avoid permanent joint damage.
Symptoms often start between ages 15 and 25 but can start at any age. Men, women, and children of all skin colors can get psoriasis.
Locations
Psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body, even on the eyelids, ears, lips, skin folds, hands, feet, and nails. Plaques can be a few small patches or can affect large areas. It’s possible to have psoriasis plaques and scales in more than one location on the body at a time.
Causes And Triggers
While scientists do not know what exactly causes psoriasis, we do know that the immune system and genetics play major roles in its development. One thing we do know: psoriasis is not contagious. You cannot catch psoriasis from another person. Usually, something triggers psoriasis, causing symptoms to appear or worsen. Triggers vary from person to person. Psoriasis triggers could include stress, injury to the skin, illness, and weather. When working with your dermatologist, they may suggest you track your flares to detect potential triggers.
Life With Psoriasis
As with other chronic diseases, psoriasis may affect areas of your life other than your physical health. Psoriasis may affect your emotional health, your relationships, and how you handle stress. It could even affect areas of your life that you wouldn’t expect, such as the clothes that you choose to wear. For some people, living with psoriasis can be a challenge. However, there are ways to handle those challenges so you can thrive with psoriasis. Some tips for managing your psoriasis are managing stress, educating yourself and others, and keeping track of potential triggers.
Psoriasis might make you feel isolated. You might believe that no one understands you. But you aren’t the first person to go through this. Other people are going through what you are going through right now, and they are thriving. So can you. Please speak with a healthcare professional if you are struggling with day-to-day life with psoriasis.
Psoriasis Treatment
Treatment for psoriasis is not a one size fits all solution. You should work with your dermatologist to find the right psoriasis treatment options to reduce or eliminate symptoms. Some of the potential options include:
Topicals - Topical treatments are applied to the skin and are often the first treatment recommended to a newly diagnosed person.
Phototherapy - Phototherapy, or light therapy, involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light on a regular basis under medical supervision
Systemics - Systemic treatments are prescription drugs that are taken orally, by injection, or by infusion and work throughout the body. Systemics are typically prescribed for moderate-to-severe psoriasis and PsA.
Complementary and Integrative Medicine - Complementary and integrative medicine is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional, or Western, medicine.
Finding The Right Care
Dr. Monica Rani and the Advanced Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine team, located in the South Loop of Chicago, are ready to evaluate your condition and assist you with the right care for your Psoriasis. They specialize in educating and working with all patients to provide the best care possible so you can go on living your best life. Contact our team today to book an appointment.