I know what it is like to suffer a skin flare-up from a lifelong condition. I have had eczema my entire life. But I can only imagine what it is like to have patches of silvery raised itchy lesions that won’t quit. That’s what many people with psoriasis experience on a regular basis.
Psoriasis is a noncontagious skin disease with those patches of red inflamed skin topped with white flakes. The theory with this condition is that faulty signals are sent to a person’s immune system where the growth of skin cells is accelerated. A skin cell is born, matures, and sheds in about a month. For psoriatic skin, this process happens over the course of a three to four days, piling up to form thick plaques of skin.
Some evidence indicates that T-cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the body’s immune system, overreact due to certain environmental factors, and speed the production of skin cells. Common triggers are strep throat, stressful situations, skin injuries, and certain medications, including lithium, antimalarial drugs, some beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure), overuse of corticosteroids and even nicotine patches.
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, 125 million people worldwide or 2 to 3 percent of the total population have psoriasis. Researchers suggest that men have more severe psoriasis than women. Symptoms start between the ages 15 to 25, but it can start at any age. Psoriasis is more prevalent among whites than African Americans and other ethnic groups. Psoriasis tends to run in families. The annual US cost of psoriasis amounted to approximately $112 billion in 2013.
There are many different types of psoriasis. The most common is plaque psoriasis. Red inflamed patches covered by silvery white scales that affect mostly the knees, lower back, elbows, and scalp but can affect any area of the body. Guttate psoriasis affects areas like the trunk and limbs with small red spots. Inverse psoriasis describes the smooth, shiny almost flat red patches in skin folds. Pustular psoriasis affects the hands and feet with red patches of tiny blisters. A more serious form of psoriasis affects more than just the skin, erythrodermic psoriasis, which produces burnlike lesions over the body but in certain cases may cause a rapid heart rate and disrupt body temperatures.
Certain times of year may worsen skin conditions. For example, winter months are notoriously hard for those with psoriasis because the cold dry air robs skin of needed moisture and thicker clothing blocks exposure to the sun.
Psoriasis doesn’t just affect the skin either. Psoriatic arthritis affects 30 percent of patients with psoriasis. One notable sign of this disease may be changes in the fingernails and toenails such as discoloration or pitting. And there is increasing evidence that people with severe and moderate psoriasis may be vulnerable to other conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and Crohn’s disease. Not to mention the condition affects your quality of life, socialization, and employment opportunities.
There are different treatments available to heal lesions and keep those plaques at bay. Topical treatments like corticosteroids and retinoids are usually for mild to moderate psoriasis. Keep in mind, many of these medications have side effects. Discuss with your doctor to insure the right choice. Light therapy is recommended for moderate to severe psoriasis. When all else fails, there is always internal medications like oral or injected steroids and biologics.
A good skin care routine may be useful in combatting psoriasis. Well moisturized skin may be the secret to fighting the dryness and cracking common to this condition. Try fragrance-free lotions and creams and pat your skin dry after taking short showers with warm water.
Diet choices may trigger flare-ups as well with some people having reactions to foods like eggs, coffee, and sugar. Some believe fish oil may be beneficial in stalling psoriasis plaques. In addition, one Swedish study found that a small percentage of psoriasis patients may have an intolerance for gluten, the protein found in wheat. As a result, researchers discovered that psoriasis symptoms were significantly reduced in patients who followed a gluten-free diet for three months.
Even more, Polish researchers have shown that men with psoriasis had low levels of selenium. So stock up on selenium rich foods like Brazil nuts, beans, low-fat meats, and seafood. One good choice you can make to heal your skin is to indulge in foods containing zinc and vitamin E. Enjoy nuts, seeds, oysters, lentils, mushrooms, and dishes like this recipe.
I know from personal experience that it is easy to get down on yourself because your skin is atrocious and not looking at all the way you want it to look. Also just having a painful uncomfortable stance all the time during a flare-up is not the best either. No I don’t know what it is like to have psoriasis. That’s why it is important to find support within your own family and friends as well as people who understand what you’re going through. Speak to your doctor about the treatment that works best for you. With that, maybe you can once again feel comfortable in your own skin.
