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Psoriasis: Chronic Disease Affecting Skin And Joints
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Published: August 23, 2007
According to the National Institutes of Health, at least 7.5 million Americans suffer from psoriasis. Although it is a widespread disease, many people who are not affected do not understand what it really is. Some people mistakenly believe psoriasis is just a fancy name for dry skin. Those who deal with the pain daily know it is much more serious than often believed.
Some of the symptoms are so serious that in the past, it was often mistaken for leprosy.
Psoriasis is characterized by raised patches of red skin or lesions. These skin patches are covered by scale, a silvery white build-up of dead skin. It can be very painful and itchy. Luckily, this disease is not contagious. Unfortunately it is a chronic disease. This means those affected by it will live with it for the rest of their lives. Although people can develop it at any age, it affects mostly 15-35 year old people. It affects men and women equally. According to the Psoriasis Association, about 10-15% of those with the disease also get psoriatic arthritis. This is an inflammation of the joints caused by the disease.
There are five forms of psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is the most common, and about 80% have this type says the National Psoriasis Foundation. The inflamed, red lesions are raised and covered in scale. They often appear on joints such as the elbows and knees. Other affected areas can include the lower back and scalp.
Guttate psoriasis is another form. It tends to strike children and young adults and looks a bit different from the afore mentioned form. This form shows up as small, red spots on the torso and limbs. Sometimes it is accompanied by respiratory or throat infections. Lotions, light treatments, oral medications or shots are a few of the measures used to treat the symptoms.
Inverse psoriasis is the third type of this skin disease. This form shows up in skin folds. Some folds are near major joints, such as armpits and behind knees. Other areas include between the buttocks or around genitals. It often affects overweight people because they often have more skin folds and deeper skin folds. Shiny, red lesions are a typical symptom. Usually scale does not develop. This form can be treated with steroid treatments, powders or a liquid that helps dry up moist lesions, known as Castellanis Paint.
Pustular psoriasis appears in cycles of non-infectious, pus-filled blisters, red skin and scaling. It may be triggered by medications, too many UV light rays, pregnancy or stress. This type can be localized to one area of the body or occur almost everywhere.
The fifth and last form is Erythrodermic psoriasis. This type is characterized by extreme inflammation. The skin becomes red and begins to shed, leading to extreme itchiness and pain. This is a very serious form because it can lead to swelling around the ankles from retaining fluids and even infection. Sometimes hospitalization is required.
The severity of psoriasis should never be underestimated. It is a chronic skin disease that affects millions of Americans. Although there is no cure right now, sufferers and activist groups are very optimistic of a cure in the future. In the meantime, those affected by the disease try to treat the symptoms with lotions and medication when possible.
Sources:
"Frequently Asked Questions." National Psoriasis Foundation. 2007. 9 August 2007. http://www.psoriasis.org/about/faq/.
"Psoriasis." Wikipedia. 5 August 2007. 9 August 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoriasis.
"What is Psoriasis?" The Psoriasis Association. 12 August 2007. http://www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/what-is.ht ml.
Psoriasis is characterized by raised patches of red skin or lesions. These skin patches are covered by scale, a silvery white build-up of dead skin. It can be very painful and itchy. Luckily, this disease is not contagious. Unfortunately it is a chronic disease. This means those affected by it will live with it for the rest of their lives. Although people can develop it at any age, it affects mostly 15-35 year old people. It affects men and women equally. According to the Psoriasis Association, about 10-15% of those with the disease also get psoriatic arthritis. This is an inflammation of the joints caused by the disease.
There are five forms of psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is the most common, and about 80% have this type says the National Psoriasis Foundation. The inflamed, red lesions are raised and covered in scale. They often appear on joints such as the elbows and knees. Other affected areas can include the lower back and scalp.
Guttate psoriasis is another form. It tends to strike children and young adults and looks a bit different from the afore mentioned form. This form shows up as small, red spots on the torso and limbs. Sometimes it is accompanied by respiratory or throat infections. Lotions, light treatments, oral medications or shots are a few of the measures used to treat the symptoms.
Inverse psoriasis is the third type of this skin disease. This form shows up in skin folds. Some folds are near major joints, such as armpits and behind knees. Other areas include between the buttocks or around genitals. It often affects overweight people because they often have more skin folds and deeper skin folds. Shiny, red lesions are a typical symptom. Usually scale does not develop. This form can be treated with steroid treatments, powders or a liquid that helps dry up moist lesions, known as Castellanis Paint.
Pustular psoriasis appears in cycles of non-infectious, pus-filled blisters, red skin and scaling. It may be triggered by medications, too many UV light rays, pregnancy or stress. This type can be localized to one area of the body or occur almost everywhere.
The fifth and last form is Erythrodermic psoriasis. This type is characterized by extreme inflammation. The skin becomes red and begins to shed, leading to extreme itchiness and pain. This is a very serious form because it can lead to swelling around the ankles from retaining fluids and even infection. Sometimes hospitalization is required.
The severity of psoriasis should never be underestimated. It is a chronic skin disease that affects millions of Americans. Although there is no cure right now, sufferers and activist groups are very optimistic of a cure in the future. In the meantime, those affected by the disease try to treat the symptoms with lotions and medication when possible.
Sources:
"Frequently Asked Questions." National Psoriasis Foundation. 2007. 9 August 2007. http://www.psoriasis.org/about/faq/.
"Psoriasis." Wikipedia. 5 August 2007. 9 August 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoriasis.
"What is Psoriasis?" The Psoriasis Association. 12 August 2007. http://www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/what-is.ht ml.
