10 Facts about Psoriasis

According to WHO, psoriasis is a serious dermatological condition which is till misunderstood and not taken care of properly. There are various details about psoriasis which must become part of awareness campaigns for the education of both patients of psoriasis and the people around them.

1 Robert Willan, an English physician and founder of modern dermatology, defined psoriasis as an oval or circular patch with scaly skin bordered by red skin. Robert’s basic definition of psoriasis is being used to this date. He is known for his work in this medical specialty. He taxonomically classified skin diseases including impetigo, psoriasis, ichthyosis, pemphigus, sycosis, schleroderma and lupus.

2 Psoriasis is a genetic condition. It is known to run in families. Even if one of your parents has psoriasis this skin condition can pass to you in near future. Although it is not likely for both the parents of being diagnosed with psoriasis but if such a rare match exists the probability of you being diagnosed with it is 100%. It is also a possibility that the parents did not have psoriasis but someone in the extended family had. Even then there are chances for this disease to occur in off-springs.

3 People fear meeting a patient of psoriasis thinking it might affect them. However, it is necessary to know psoriasis is not contagious. Everyone is free to touch, cuddle, shake hands, massage or hug a patient of psoriasis. The patients are allowed to carry out their daily chores and leave their homes for business but they must ensure to avoid triggers.

4 Psoriasis has 5 types. Plaque psoriasis is the most common type which is characterized with white scales and skin lesions. Guttate is characterized by pin-point inflamed lesions. Pustlar is characterized by scaly skin over pus-filled blisters. Inverse psoriasis is characterized by inflammation in the folds of skin in people who are obese or have saggy skin. Erythrodermic psoriasis is the rarest type which is characterized by redness and shedding of skin. 90% of the patients suffer from plaque psoriasis.

5 Psoriasis occurs in both men and women. Usually, it occurs in young age among people of age group 15 to 35. However, older individuals aged between 60 to 75 ages are also at risk of developing this condition.

6 Most common sites of psoriasis are knees, elbows, lower back, scalp and nails. Although other parts of body are also affected but these are most commonly involved. Red patches, blisters, shedding of skin and redness are easily observed in the initial stage. However, sites other than those mentioned can also be affected.

7 Psoriasis is mainly a skin disease but it is not only about the skin. Patients suffering from psoriasis are exposed to a higher risk of cardiovascular disorders (CVD) including cardiac arrest and hypertension. Other diseases include obesity, depression, diabetes and cancer.

8 In old times psoriasis was considered a punishment from God. Patients of psoriasis were either burnt or ostracized from community or society. Today the misconception has been eradicated and there are several ways to control psoriasis and enough awareness about this disease. Dermatologists believe topical treatment and phototherapy produce satisfactory results.

9 In Ebers Papyrus, a home remedy is documented to get rid of psoriasis. This remedy is includes a mixture of sea salt, onions and urine. Yes, urine! Till this date dermatologists could not find a cure for psoriasis therefore some home remedies including turmeric, fish oil and tea tree oil are employed.

10 Surprisingly, the patches and blisters of psoriasis do not cover your face. Face is the most unlikely part to be affected by psoriasis.

Read more about How you can strengthen your immune system to relieve your psoriasis here: https://itsitchy.com/how-you-can-strengthen-your-immune-system-to-relieve-your-psoriasis/

Written by Zac Hyde M.D.