Spa Of Embarrassing Illnesses 2
Factsheet: Psoriasis
It's estimated that 1.2 million Britons suffer from psoriasis, yet fewer than 25% of them seek help. This factsheet assesses the symptoms, treatment and causes of what can be a distressing ailment.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis occurs when skin cells mature within 2-3 days as opposed to regular skin cells which take between 21-28 days. The skin cells replicate faster than the cells shed and so pile up in visible layers. Psoriasis is not infectious and cannot be transferred from one part of the body to another.
What are the symptoms?
Psoriasis appears as raised red patches of skin which can look either scaly or shiny. Common sites for the scaly type are elbows, knees, scalp and back whereas the shiny type usually manifests where two skin surfaces meet, eg in skin folds such as the groin and beneath the breasts.
Psoriasis can vary from a small affected patch of skin to a large, serious eruption. Minor psoriatic patches usually recover spontaneously or with little treatment, however severe forms require more intensive medical care.
When a psoriatic rash is obvious it is understandable that the sufferer may feel uncomfortable in company and may experience depressive bouts or in extreme cases, may withdraw from society.
Who does it affect?
Psoriasis affects both sexes equally. It may appear for the first time at any age, although it is more likely to appear between the ages of 11 and 45.
What triggers psoriasis?
Certain genes have been identified as being linked to psoriasis. It appears, however, that a genetic tendency needs to be triggered off by such things as injury, throat infection, certain drugs and physical and emotional stress. Research is under way into all aspects of the causes of psoriasis.
Factors which aggravate psoriasis are alcohol consumption, stress, toxic bowel, impaired liver function, nutritional factors and incomplete break down of proteins.
Psoriasis occurs when skin cells mature within 2-3 days as opposed to regular skin cells which take between 21-28 days. The skin cells replicate faster than the cells shed and so pile up in visible layers. Psoriasis is not infectious and cannot be transferred from one part of the body to another.
What are the symptoms?
Psoriasis appears as raised red patches of skin which can look either scaly or shiny. Common sites for the scaly type are elbows, knees, scalp and back whereas the shiny type usually manifests where two skin surfaces meet, eg in skin folds such as the groin and beneath the breasts.
Psoriasis can vary from a small affected patch of skin to a large, serious eruption. Minor psoriatic patches usually recover spontaneously or with little treatment, however severe forms require more intensive medical care.
When a psoriatic rash is obvious it is understandable that the sufferer may feel uncomfortable in company and may experience depressive bouts or in extreme cases, may withdraw from society.
Who does it affect?
Psoriasis affects both sexes equally. It may appear for the first time at any age, although it is more likely to appear between the ages of 11 and 45.
What triggers psoriasis?
Certain genes have been identified as being linked to psoriasis. It appears, however, that a genetic tendency needs to be triggered off by such things as injury, throat infection, certain drugs and physical and emotional stress. Research is under way into all aspects of the causes of psoriasis.
Factors which aggravate psoriasis are alcohol consumption, stress, toxic bowel, impaired liver function, nutritional factors and incomplete break down of proteins.
