Psoriasis, affirms PsoriasisNet, is a condition where skin cells grow much too quickly, taking days rather than months to develop. This leads to lesions and scaly patches of skin that can spread over all parts of the body. Although medical technology and treatments are advancing with each passing year, there is still no cure for psoriasis.
Types
There have been many types of psoriasis recorded over the years. The most common is plaque psoriasis, consisting of dry, scaly patches on areas such as elbows, knees and the scalp lasting for months or years. Named after the French word for “drop,” guttate psoriasis appears as small dots on the face, arms, neck and legs and occurs mainly in children, according to PsoriasisGuide.com. This type of psoriasis lasts weeks to months and disappears on its own. Inverse psoriasis occurs in the folds of skin, while pustular psoriasis spreads to many parts of the body and requires aggressive treatment. Nair psoriasis occurs in 25 percent to 50 percent of psoriasis sufferers and is often coupled with psoriasis arthritis.
Considerations
Although 40 percent to 50 percent of psoriasis sufferers inherit the problem from family members with the disease, not all people with a family history of psoriasis get it. As said by the Mayo Clinic in its article on causes of psoriasis, triggers for those susceptible to psoriasis include stress, smoking, drinking alcohol, weather changes and skin injury.
Misconceptions
Throughout history, people have come to false conclusions about psoriasis. In the article "Psoriasis Myths and Misconceptions," several misunderstandings about this disease are addressed. The most common misconception is that psoriasis is able to be caught or passed to others. Psoriasis is not contagious. Psoriasis is also not just a cosmetic problem. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that 30 percent to 50 percent of the time leads to psoriasis arthritis. Another common misconception is that psoriasis comes from poor hygiene. Psoriasis is an inherited problem. It has nothing to do with an individual's cleanliness.
Treatments
Treatments for psoriasis have immensely evolved over the centuries. Hundreds of years ago, psoriasis was not understood, and sufferers were alienated from society and often sent to leper camps, says BeatPsoriasis.com in its article "The History of Psoriasis Treatments." In earlier days, coal tar, sunlight and emollients such as olive oil were used to minimize symptoms. Today, although there is still no cure, advanced treatments for psoriasis include topical treatments, phototherapy and systemic treatments. Topical and oral steroid treatments were first introduced in the 1950s and are still used today. Phototherapy has evolved into a safe and common treatment, but it was first introduced in the 1920s. The newest treatment for psoriasis is laser therapy.
Time Frame
The most common time for psoriasis to develop is between ages 15 and 30, says PsoriasisNet. Nearly 75 percent of people prone to psoriasis, meaning that have a family history, show signs before the age of 40. However, psoriasis can strike at any age and also commonly occurs in those 50 to 60 years old. Outbreaks can last months to years and come and go depending on certain triggers.
