Being one of the commonest diseases in the world affecting 2-3% of the population, psoriasis basics are worth reviewing here
Psoriasis is a Common Skin Disease
Psoriasis is the second most prevalent skin disease, second to only acne. 125 million people worldwide (up to 3% of the population) have psoriasis. According to National Institute of Health, there are more than 7.5 million psoriasis patients in the United States.
Psoriasis is a Chronic, Scaly Skin Condition for Which No Cure Has Been Found
Psoriasis is a life long disease like diabetes and hypertension. It typically causes dry, red, scaly lesions that can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp, trunk, extremities and nails. Common areas involved are the extensor aspects like elbows, knees and the trunk. Psoriasis has no complete cure, but with proper treatment and life style changes, psoriasis can be kept under optimum control so as not to affect the quality of life of the patient.
Psoriasis is Derived From the Greek Word 'Psora', Which Means to Itch
Itching is a prominent symptom of psoriasis. Depending upon the skin responsiveness patients experience itching in varying severity-mild, moderate and severe. In fact, before 19th century, the term ‘psoriasis’ was used for many skin diseases where itching was a prominent feature.
Psoriasis is a Genetic Disease Triggered by Various Lifestyle Events
Psoriasis has a genetic basis, whereby in predisposed individuals certain triggering events or factors induce the body’s immune system to mistakenly speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. The genetic origin means that if one of the parents has psoriasis, children stand a 10 to 25% chance of developing it. If both parents have it the odds increase to 50% for the children. Even then, more 50-60% patients never give any family history of psoriasis.
The Course of Psoriasis is Dotted With Waxing and Waning
The natural course of psoriasis is dotted with periods of waxing and waning. The lesions clear for sometime (called remissions), and, following some triggers, come back again. At times, when a treatment, like potent topical corticosteroids, is withdrawn suddenly, psoriasis may worsen or become generalized. This is known as a rebound phenomenon.
Psoriasis is Not Contagious
Psoriasis is not a communicable or infective disease and you cannot catch it from someone else, nor can you give it to someone else. If you have psoriasis, there is a 25% chance that your children may get the disease during their life time. This is called the hereditary or genetic predisposition.
Psoriatic Arthritis is a Debilitating Complication in Psoriasis
10-30% of people with psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis with inflamed, stiff and painful joints. When severe, psoriatic arthritis can be debilitating and affect patient’s performance both at home and work.
Quality of Life is Affected in Psoriasis Patients
Studies have shown that people with severe psoriasis have almost the same reduction in quality of life as people with diseases such as cancer, diabetes or depression. Hence it is very important to learn how to keep the disease activity under control by avoiding psoriasis flare-ups and also taking proper treatment. Another important aspect is the proper handling of the psycho-social problems in psoriasis.
There are Many Therapeutic Options Available to the Psoriasis Patients
Treatment for psoriasis is both topical and systemic and the choice and outcome of these treatments varies from individual to individual. Many patients suffer psoriasis in silence in the absence of proper psoriasis treatment guidelines. Your dermatologist will assess your disease type, severity, life style, response or non response to previous therapies and then decide on the most suitable treatment for you. Keep in mind that no one treatment works for all.
Therapy Advances Give New Hope to Psoriatics
Though there is no cure yet for the disease, recent introduction of new biological therapies has provided a fresh ray of hope for psoriatic patients for a better quality of life ahead. What is unique about biologic treatments is that they pinpoint certain immune responses that are involved in psoriasis, not the entire immune system, thereby creating fewer side effects for the patient and less damage to the immune system as a whole.
Next: How to Care for Your Skin in Psoriasis
Reference: Various Dermatology Text Books and Journals
