Psoriasis is a skin disease that is quite common in Germany. Typical signs are red skin areas, which are noticeable by silvery-white scales. In addition, these affected skin areas are often clearly delineated and raised and can be very itchy. To date, there is no complete cure, although the symptoms can be greatly alleviated by various therapies.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is essentially manifested by severely scaly areas of the skin (often on the hands, knees, elbows and scalp) and changes in the nails. Psoriasis is a disease of the skin characterized by very high scaling. The disease is benign and not dangerous. Nevertheless, those affected suffer mainly from the fact that the skin becomes chronically inflamed and psoriasis keeps coming back, even if there is a slight improvement in between. There is no need to fear infection. In families in which this disease appears, however, it is quite possible that other relatives will become ill, since psoriasis can be inherited. The disease can severely limit the patient’s quality of life. The skin may show reddish patches and white scales, so that glances from other people are often to be expected. The affected areas are also itchy and cannot be cleared of the troublesome scales without bleeding. Psoriasis usually progresses in episodes, but never completely recedes, as the disease is not yet curable.
Causes
The exact cause of psoriasis is not yet known. It has been proven in the meantime that the disease is hereditary. Nevertheless, the disease does not necessarily have to break out. Both children and adults, as well as men and women, can be affected, so that the disease is not dependent on age. However, the predispositions are predominantly passed on via the father. In the meantime, it is assumed that, in addition to the corresponding inherited genes, several other criteria must be fulfilled that favor the outbreak of psoriasis. For example, tetococci can contribute to the occurrence of the disease. Increased stress over a longer period of time or various medications are also among the triggers. Possibly, the climate can also favor the outbreak of psoriasis.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) is characterized primarily by uncontrolled, rapid and benign growth of the epidermis. In this case, skin renewal of the epidermis takes place seven times faster than in a healthy person. Thus, the renewal of the epidermis in people with psoriasis takes only four days instead of 28. As a result, shiny scales form, which appear silvery-white. The affected skin areas have a very strong blood supply and show inflammatory redness. Preferably, psoriasis appears on the extensor sides of the arms or legs. For example, the shins or elbows often show skin symptoms. Likewise, the scales can also appear on the scalp, the back or in the genital area. The areas that have inflammatory changes are often itchy. If psoriasis also manifests itself on the fingernails and toenails, the so-called spotted nails are part of the clinical picture. Tiny depressions appear in the nail plate and/or brownish discolorations under the nail. One in five patients with psoriasis suffers not only from the typical skin changes, but also from joint complaints. This psoriatic arthritis is accompanied by painful swelling of the toe or finger joints. In particularly severe cases, complete deformation of the joints may occur.
Course of the disease
Psoriasis is divided into psoriasus vulgaris type 1 and type 2. Type 1 represents the early form of the disease and has many more sufferers in each age group, while the late form, type 2, is more common in people who are at least 40 years old. Due to the interaction of several factors, the first outbreak of the disease occurs at some point, after which psoriasis usually reappears in episodes. Particularly in summer, sufferers may experience a marked improvement, but psoriasis still cannot be cured and will return at some point.
Complications
In psoriasis patients, the internal organs may also be affected as the disease progresses: Psoriasis is not limited to the skin surface, but can also manifest internally. Joint inflammation or athritis can also occur in the course of chronic diseases. Large-area psoriasis is associated with the risk of so-called superinfections. In this case, the affected area is additionally infected by yeast fungi or bacteria, which aggravates the disease as a whole. The metabolism can also be affected in the form of obesity, lipid metabolism disorders, diabetes as well as high blood pressure. This is accompanied by an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. Life expectancy can decrease significantly. Similarly, psoriasis patients have been observed to have an increased susceptibility to inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease. Psoriasis patients appear to be more susceptible to depressive disorders and alcohol abuse, according to recent studies. This is associated with the psychological distress that can accompany the disease. Recently, there has been increasing evidence that psoriasis significantly increases the risk of complications during pregnancy. The exact relationships have not been adequately explored, but one risk factor may be the medication with which psoriasis is usually treated for years.
When should you go to the doctor?
With psoriasis should see a dermatologist. Especially if it appears that the lichen is spreading or becoming more severe. A dermatologist should also be consulted if the onset is sudden or if the lichen has been present for a long time. If psoriasis is left untreated for too long, it can also damage the bones and internal organs.
Treatment and therapy
Although psoriasis is not curable, it is still possible to alleviate the suffering of those affected and keep the relapses to a minimum. In addition to avoiding excessive stress, ultraviolet radiation is particularly suitable as a therapy. The immune processes are inhibited by the radiation and thus also affect the increased cell growth that is responsible for psoriasis. That is why in most cases the disease goes down in summer under the influence of the sun. The chances of treatment are very high with this therapy, nevertheless it should be decided individually together with a physician which irradiation is most suitable. In addition to the treatment with UV rays, medications are usually also used, which can at least reduce the psoriasis. As a further measure to combat the symptoms, a change of climate could also be useful.
Aftercare
Psoriasis can be treated well with skin care products, medications and lifestyle changes. If they are treated comprehensively, they usually subside quickly. After treatment, a follow-up examination is necessary. The follow-up examination is performed by the dermatologist in charge who has already taken over the treatment. If further complications are noticed, the treatment must be resumed. In many patients, psoriasis develops into a chronic disease. Patients suffering from chronic psoriasis should consult their dermatologist regularly. Irritation and injury to the scalp can result from the use of skin care products, as well as from scratching. During the follow-up examination, a physical examination and a medical history are taken. First, a conversation with the patient takes place. The physician clarifies the patient’s most important questions and asks about any symptoms as well as side effects and interactions of the treatment. This is followed by a physical examination. The doctor checks the scalp for dandruff and, if necessary, also takes a sample, which is then examined in the laboratory. If no abnormalities are found, the treatment can be completed. Further follow-up examinations are not necessary for cured psoriasis. Only if the dandruff returns, the doctor must be visited again.
What you can do yourself
Patients suffering from psoriasis can support the medically prescribed therapy with naturopathic procedures. Many sufferers find baths in warm salt water particularly beneficial. For this purpose, two to three pounds of sea salt are added to the bath water.A tablespoon of coconut oil is said to provide additional relief. Many patients also react very positively to rubdowns with [[Miracle_Cider_Vinegar:_Good_for_Beauty_and_Health|Apple_Cider_Vinegar]. To do this, mix high-quality organic apple cider vinegar with warm water in a ratio of one to one and then carefully dab the affected areas of skin with a washcloth soaked in it. The vinegar relieves itching and loosens the scaly layer. If psoriasis attacks occur regularly during or shortly after periods of stress, relaxation techniques such as yoga and tai chi can also help those affected. Stress should then also be avoided as far as possible. Sometimes there is also a connection between psoriasis and diet. Excess weight in particular seems to have a negative effect on the condition of the skin. Affected persons with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 25 should therefore consider reducing their weight. The frequently observed secondary infections are usually due to patients scratching the itchy skin areas with their bare hands. In addition to medications containing cortisone, peanut oil and thin kerosene wax also help against the itching. In addition, those affected should wear cotton gloves in bad cases. This will at least prevent the fingernails from further irritating or injuring the diseased skin areas.
