Psoriasis: Genetic Disease That Ss Triggered By Environmental Factors

Psoriasis got its name from the Greek word meaning, 'itch.' Psoriasis is a skin condition where skin cells are reproduced over 5-7 days rather than its usual cycle of 28 days.  Precisely, Psoriasis is a chronic disease of the skin that results in thick, white, red or silver patches on the skin due to the quick growth of the skin cells at scalp, soles, palms, limbs, and elbows. These may be itchy, painful, and sometimes crack and bleed. The skin cells grow excessively and abnormally in order to replace older cells. As a result, the accumulation of dead cells layer takes place.

Diagnosis

Mostly, psoriasis is usually diagnosed in two ways: -

• Digging up the medical history of the patient and by performing a physical examination.
• Biopsy of skin (Rarely Used).

Symptoms or Cause of Psoriasis

In the early stages, it is almost impossible to notice psoriasis because it has minor symptoms such as itching or burning sensations on a particular part of the body. This is the progressive stage of the disease. Usually, this course follows up like this manner then it starts with a small red bump on the skin later resulting in big scaly patches. These patches cause severe itching and burning sensations.

As it grows time to time, it starts changing its color from pink to deep red plaques with a white crust of scales on the surface of the skin. It has a variety of causes, such as infection, false medication, skin injury, stress and more. Nevertheless, psoriasis is a very personal condition, because it affects a person’s life may have no effect on someone else.

Many research discovered the abnormality in the function of white cells in the blood stem that triggers the inflammation in the skin. Due to that inflammation, the skin sheds too fast in every three or four days. It is also an undeniable fact that psoriasis can affect any part of the human body, but is most frequently found on the scalp, knees, elbows, genitals, hands, and feet.

Is Psoriasis is curable or not?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder, and that is why it can never be clearly demarcated. The whole mechanism of psoriasis is that there is a cell called T-cell in our body whose function is to protect us from infection and infected microbes. However, in the case of psoriasis, these cells start attacking the body’s skin cells. By this process, it becomes an autoimmune disorder where the body acts against itself.

There is no cure for psoriasis as of now, but there are some treatments exists that can give relief from the burning and itching sensations of this troublesome disease.

Treatment

Treatment of psoriasis can help to reduce the burning and itching of the skin and helps to clear the skin. Nowadays, these treatments are usually divided into three major categories: -

•    Topical Therapy.

This includes creams and ointments that one must apply to the affected skin are, and it can effectively treat the mild to moderate categories of psoriasis. In case of more severe stages, oral medication and light therapy are also included along with these ointments and creams.

•    Light Therapy.

It is one of the most effective types of therapy. It includes treatment with the use of natural and artificial lights. In this therapy, the affected part of the body is exposed to a controlled amount of light. This light includes -

•    Sunlight.
•    UVB phototherapy.
•    Narrowband UVB phototherapy.
•    Excimer laser.
•    Goeckerman therapy.
•    Systematic Medications.

In case of severe psoriasis, the doctors prescribe this therapy, which consists of systematic use of oral or injected drugs. This type of therapy has some side effects as it contains some very high-powered drugs that are why doctors use this therapy only for some period and later change it with other types of therapy.

Moreover, sometimes-herbal medicines can also be used for the treatment of psoriasis with the consult of a doctor because some herbs may cause strong interactions with the prescribed medicines of the doctor. A few herbal remedies, which are generally used as a therapy of psoriasis are listed below;

•    Aloe Vera
•    Apple Cider Vinegar
•    Capsaicin
•    Oats
•    Dead Sea Salts
•    Turmeric
•    Tea Tree Oil
•    Mahonia Aquifolium

Some triggers of Psoriasis

We now know that this disease has a connection with the immune system and also know of its cause. Some triggers can make this terrible disease and its symptoms worse and difficult for the affected person. These triggers include –

•    Whether factor

Cool and dry weather dries out the skin and makes the situation worst. Contrary to that hot weather help to control the symptoms of this disease.

•    Some Medication

Some drugs, like Lithium or some blood-pressure tablets, can trigger the disease and turn into worse.

•    Alcohol and Smoking

Consumption of Alcohol and Smoking can worsen the situation in the case of psoriasis.

•    Infections

Some infections led to make the situation worse for the person who is suffering from psoriasis.

•    Skin trauma

Cuts, burns, bumps tattoos or any other type of skin trauma or injury can cause a flare-up for psoriasis.

•    Stress

Stress can cause a major outbreak for the patient who has psoriasis and it can provoke the symptoms of psoriasis. The best way to avoid stress includes meditation, exercise, etc.

It is difficult to prepare a manual diary for all the symptoms, making this diary can help to understand that what’s going inside your body and you can track your own symptoms.

Symptom Tracker allows you to make a diary of all the symptoms you’re going through. You can just select from the list of symptoms and record it whenever you want.  It can help you to track any disease with the help of symptoms such as Chronic Pain, Mental Health, Lupus, and many more.