Understanding Psoriasis: Triggers and Treatments
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, around 8 million Americans and 125 million people worldwide suffer from psoriasis. The chronic autoimmune disease, characterized by dry plaques forming on the skin, can seriously impact quality of life. Around 30% of psoriasis sufferers also develop a condition called psoriatic arthritis, which can result in loss of mobility and chronic pain.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease caused by a dysfunctional immune system, for which there is no cure. Healthy skin naturally sheds and is replaced by new skin cells approximately once a month. In contrast, people who suffer with psoriasis experience accelerated skin cell growth, with new layers of skin developing every three or four days. As existing cells will not yet have shed, these new cells form raised scales or plaques on the surface of the skin.
What Psoriasis Looks and Feels Like
Psoriasis typically presents as raised or scale-like patches of skin, that are red and silvery in color. Affected areas may initially appear as small spots, which later join to form a larger patch. Psoriasis plaques can occur anywhere on the body but are commonly found on elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. Skin affected by psoriasis may feel dry and rough to the touch. Sufferers often report feeling discomfort, soreness, or an itching sensation.
Causes and Risk Factors
People can develop psoriasis at any age, though it is more likely to occur between 20 and 30, or 50 and 60 years old. The exact cause of psoriasis is still unknown, but medical professionals believe that genetics and the immune system are key factors. For example, a child with one parent who sufferers from psoriasis has roughly a 10% chance of getting the disease; this increases to a 50% chance when both parents suffer with psoriasis.
Triggers
Though there is no cure for psoriasis, the condition typically goes through cycles of flares up and symptom relief throughout a person’s life. An awareness of what environmental factors may trigger a flare up can help sufferers keep their psoriasis under control. Here are some of the most common psoriasis triggers:
- Cold or dry weather: These conditions may worsen psoriasis symptoms by drying out the skin. Conversely, warm, or sunny weather can have a calming effect on psoriasis.
- Stress or anxiety: These states can upregulate inflammation in the body and worsen psoriasis as a result.
- Medications: Certain prescription drugs can trigger psoriasis flare-ups. These include malaria treatments, beta blockers and lithium.
- Alcohol and smoking: Experts believe these lifestyle factors may trigger flare-ups in some patients.
- Skin trauma: Bruises, cuts, burns, vaccinations, piercings, and tattoos can trigger plaque formation where the skin is injured.
Treatment Options
Topical steroid creams is the most widely prescribed psoriasis treatment, which work by mitigating the body’s immune response and slowing down the production of new skin cells. Mild steroid creams can be purchased over the counter. Other common psoriasis treatments include:
Phototherapy: Exposing the skin to regular, controlled doses of ultraviolet light.
Systemic medications: Drugs such as Cyclosporine and Methotrexate treat psoriasis by suppressing the immune system.
There are also a range of natural psoriasis treatment options available, which can be used in conjunction with or instead of conventional medications.
Talk To Your Doctor
If you believe you may have psoriasis, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss a diagnosis and any natural or over-the-counter treatment options. A medical professional will be able to assess the severity of your psoriasis and recommend a suitable treatment option.