Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common and chronic skin disorder. The scaly patches caused by psoriasis, called psoriatic plaques or lesions, are areas of excessive skin production and inflammation. Patches of circular to oval shaped red plaques that itch or burn are typical of plaque psoriasis. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees , but can affect any area including the scalp and genitals. Factors such as smoking, sun exposure, alcoholism, and HIV infection may affect how often the psoriasis occurs and how long the flares up last. The disorder is a chronic recurring condition which varies in severity from minor localised patches to complete body coverage. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Approximately 1-2% of people in the United States, or about 5.5 million, have plaque psoriasis.Up to 30% of people with plaque psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis The disease is chronic, but you may have periods when psoriasis becomes worse alternating with times when it improves or goes into remission. And although no cure exists, psoriasis treatments may offer significant relief.

Psoriasis is a condition that affects your skin and causes thick red marks that look like scales to form. There is a genetic predisposition to psoriasis i.e. it tends to run in families. The most common ages for psoriasis to first appear are in the late teens and in the 50s. It affects men and women equally, although in children, girls are more commonly affected than boys. Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites and takes a silvery-white appearance. Several factors are thought to aggravate psoriasis. Psoriasis is often so mild it is barely noticed by the affected person, but it can occasionally so severe the patient must be admitted to hospital for treatment. It may or may not be itchy. About 5% of those with psoriasis will also develop joint pains ( psoriatic arthritis ), which may involve one or more joints. This can be very debilitating

Causes of Psoriasis

The common Causes of Psoriasis :

Use of certain drugs.
Climatic conditions.
Emotional stress.
Infections.
Heredity.
Use of certain medicines.

Symptoms of Psoriasis

Some Symptoms of Psoriasis :

Red plaques (red scales).
When the scales are scraped off, a number of small, bleeding points can be seen underneath.
Itching
Silvery scales.
Irritation on the skin
The upper scales fall off in large quantities, while the lower layers of scales are firmly fixed.

Treatment of Psoriasis

Some of these contain tar or antiseptics, which can add other benefits in addition to the moisturising effect.
Applications based on salicylic acid (which was originally developed from willow bark, and is related to aspirin ) are helpful at removing thick layers of over-grown skin and scales.
Used to moisturise dry skin, and also as a substitute for soap when washing the skin.
Mild steroid creams and ointments, used for short periods, for psoriasis affecting the face or body folds. (Stronger preparations and steroids by mouth are sometimes used, but this should be under specialist supervision.)
Sun shine has been known, for years, to help. A development of that, especially as dermatologists are always very suspicious of the sun, is the controlled use of ultraviolet radiation often given with a medication (a psoralen) to prime the skin. (PUVA, Psoralens with long wave ultraviolet radiation.)

Nails Care

Anychia
Clawing of the Nails
Clubbing
Discoloration of the Nail Plate
Ingrowing Toe Nail
Koilonychia
Longitudinal Striations
Loss of Nail Plate
Onycholysis
Paronychia
Pitting of Nail Plates
Pterygium
Thickening of Nail Plate
Transverse Ridges

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