What is Psoriasis? cont.. (Psoriasis Treatment)

Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis is probably one of the longest known illnesses of humans and simultaneously one of the most misunderstood.

Psoriasis is a disease which affects the skin and joints and commonly causes red scaly patches to appear on the skin. The scaly patches caused by psoriasis are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Between 10- 30% of people who develop psoriasis get a related form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis, which causes inflammation of the joints.

Psoriasis can cause pain, itching, burning and emotional distress. It affects both sexes equally and can occur at any age, although it most commonly appears for the first time between the ages of 15 and 25.

Psoriasis is characterized by red, scaling plaques, ranging from only a few lesions to total involvement of the skin. The primary lesion is a well-demarcated erythematous plaque with a silvery scale. Characteristically, psoriasis is symmetrically distributed, with lesions frequently located on the ears, elbows, knees, umbilicus, gluteal cleft and genitalia (Figure 1). The joints (psoriatic arthritis), nails and scalp may also be affected.

FIGURE 1. Common areas of distribution of psoriasis. The lesions are usually symmetrically distributed and are characteristically located on the ears, elbows, knees, umbilicus, gluteal cleft and genitalia. The joints (psoriatic arthritis), nails and scalp may also be affected.

Today more than seven million Americans suffer with psoriasis. Recent studies show that there may be an ethnic link. It seems that psoriasis is most common in Caucasians and slightly less common in African Americans. Worldwide, it is most common in Scandinavia and other parts of northern Europe. It appears to be far less common among Asians and Native Americans.

There are many psoriasis treatment options including medications, light therapy, and alternative therapies. Psoriasis is a persistent, long-lasting (chronic) disease.

The most common form is plaque-type psoriasis (Figure 2). The scale itself is variable, ranging from a thick, massive scale, as is generally seen on the scalp, to no scale at all, as is generally seen in intertriginous or partially treated areas.

FIGURE 2. A primary lesion of plaque-type psoriasis. The typical lesion is a well-demarcated, thick, erythematous plaque with a silvery scale.

Psoriasis Treatment