To understand psoriasis it’s important to figure out how normal skin works. During the course of a month, the skin cells go through their lifestyle process. The skin has two layers, the top and bottom layers. The newest layers of the skin form on the bottom layer and slowly make their way to the top. The top layer stays alive for those 28-30 days, before dying and falling away. The process isn’t noticeable at all and we all use thousands of skin cells each day during showers or towel drying afterwards.

When someone suffers with psoriasis, their skin process moves much faster. Often the cycle happens in only 3-4 days. The new cells develop much more quickly and force themselves through the top layer of skin. These new cells cause a bit of a buildup of dead skin on the surface. The good news is that the skins cells seem to affect only a small patch of skin at a time. The most common areas this happens in are the scalp, elbows, knees, or knuckles, but it can show up anywhere really. These areas of patchy, scaly, red skin are more commonly known as plaques.

Psoriasis remains a mystery as far as the main causes are concerned. Research has shown about 30% of all causes is based on family history. However, there are a few lifestyle choices that may be a factor as well. Excessive drinking, being overweight, too much stress, anxiety, sunburn, and even some medications can bring about psoriasis or make the symptoms a bit late.

Psoriasis may look a bit disconcerting, but it is not contagious and if you don’t have it you won’t get it. The symptoms affect each person differently; while one person may have small areas of patchy skin, others will have patches all over the body. In any case, psoriasis has no cure but learning to know if you have it or not is the first step in finding ways to prevent breakouts.

All forms of psoriasis affect the skin. They can cause a few different problems and if you are lucky they will only cause one problem at a time. Psoriasis is famous for the redness of skin and the shedding. There are two layers of skin, the top and bottom. The top layer is the old skin, it lasts for a few weeks and then begins to shed off on its own. The bottom layer is the new skin growth that takes over for the shedding skin. Shedding skin is a normal procedure, but it happens over time so that we don’t notice. In psoriasis, we notice because the bottom lay tries to move up to the top before the top is ready to shed. This leaves cracks in the skin and gives it that red look. On top of that, the skin may start to become inflamed. If you scratch at the skin while it is flaky, red, and peeling, you could get weeping lesions and scaling on the affected area.

Those are the main symptoms for the basic three types of psoriasis: Guttate, Plaque, and Seborrheic. Plaque Psoriasis is the most common type of the disease. Each person is different, but for the most part it appears as patchy, thick flaky skin that causes itching and inflammation. If the skin is damaged skin gets injured in some other way, it is easily infected.

Guttate Psoriasis mainly affects children and young adults. It often follows after a bout of strep throat or other infections and causes red bumps on the skin. This form is often misdiagnosed as an allergic reaction rash or a fever rash. The good news is that it clears up with antibiotics, the kind taken for the strep, and it almost never comes back again.

Seborrheic Psoriasis is often mistaken for a serious cause of dandruff because it affects the scalp, ears, hairline, and forehead. Some medicated shampoos work to eliminate the flaking, but it can still be problematic.

The first one is an easy one, but it’s often forgotten by psoriasis sufferers. Moisturize, moisturize, and then moisturize again. It’s quick, it’s simple and it only takes a few minutes each day. When the skin is dry and flaky, it can crack and become damaged.  It is important to keep the skin moisturize on the outside and the inside. For the outside, use unscented lotions and for the inside drink plenty of water each day. The more water you drink each day the better hydrated the skin will be.

If the skin becomes too dry, take a bath or a shower.  Or soak the dry, patches of skin to help them fall of naturally and without harming the skin. Use a mild soap that won’t irritate the skin or cause excessive dryness. Try not to take too many long baths as that can remove precious oils from the skin, oils needed to protect the skin from outside elements. Lotion immediately after bathing to lock in the moisture.  Every bath or shower should be done in lukewarm water, hot water will cause the skin to itch and only cause further problems.

Wet wraps are another great home remedy. This treatment is often used right after a bath or shower or at night before bed. After your bath or shower, lotion the body as you normally would to keep in the moisture. Take some ace bandages, or whatever is handy, and soak them in some lukewarm water. Wrap the bandages around the problem areas like the elbows, knees, or thighs. The wet wraps will keep the areas from flaring up or itching and will keep the patchy areas from getting hard or infected.

There are many other things that can be done without spending loads of money, a simple internet search or talking to your doctor will give you many other ideas.

If the treatment became successful to a particular patient doesn’t mean a success also to the second patient. Through this article will state to you some of the immediate treatments research by dermatologist and surgeons. Treating a particular psoriasis will be a trial-and-error medication depends upon the location of the infected area, the size and the prior treatment you’ve made that causes your psoriasis disorder.

The first treatment that most patients of psoriasis get is the topical corticosteroids (topical steroids) and available over the counter upon prescription of your doctor with different strengths. The highest of all steroids are almost a thousand times stronger than the over the counter 1% hydrocortisone. These are the Psorcon, Diprolene, Termovate, or Ultravate.

The next treatment is a synthetic form of vitamin D3 such as Dovonex (clacipotriene). Regular vitamin D supplements cannot treat actually psoriasis and used in excess are dangerous. This ointment can be applied 2 times daily and it will control the excessive production of skin cells in psoriasis.

The oldest and widely used treatments with no prescription needed and can be applied directly to your skin are the coal tars. Coal tar is safer than topical steroids but they are messy, smelly and less effective but it makes your skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light.

SCAT (Short Contact Anthralin Treatment), is a very old treatment for psoriasis but because of it stain skin and clothing brown or purple it became unfavorable. To limit the staining an especially washable form is used for a 15-30 minute application then wash with a lukewarm water.

Salicylic acid is a non-prescription creams to remove scales combined with topical steroids, anthralin or coal tar.

Tazorac is a gel that can be effective for psoriasis. It is also irritating when you apply it into your skin just like the Dovonex. The benefit of this tazorac can clear psoriasis for a longer period of time compare to any other topical medication. Upon using tazorac, you must combine this with topical steroids to minimize irritation. Tazorac is not safe to all pregnant women.

UVB Phototherapy uses an artificial UVB light just like sunlight rays. For more doctors, they advised to this therapy before applying any topical medications. The therapy will be done in your office or at home for three to five times weekly for twenty to thirty treatments overall.

Soriatane is the most effective vitamin A against pustular and erythrodemic psoriasis and it is also good for any plaque psoriasis when you combined treatment with UVB.

Methotrexate treatment can be taken pills, liquid or injection to control the psoriasis. If you decided to use this treatment, you must closely monitor because it will eventually cause liver or blood producing bone marrow damage. If you are alcoholic cannot take this drug.

Hydroxyurea is less toxic but not that effective also. Pregnant women or expecting to have a baby must avoid of using this kind of treatment.

As a precautionary measure, before taking or deciding any of the above treatments must consult their dermatologist to help you decide what Psoriasis treatment can be made for you.

Experts aren’t sure what the psoriasis causes are, but they do know it tends to run in families and most commonly hits in the teen years or middle age. Psoriasis tends to ebb and flare, although obesity, stress, smoking, certain drugs (Quinidine, a heart medication, and Inderal, a high blood pressure medication, to name two) or even a simple infection like a sore throat can aggravate outbreaks. Or you could go years without a flare-up; that’s the nature of this chronic but very unpredictable condition.

Psoriasis can be mild or extremely severe. Fortunately, most people escape with a few small patches on their elbows, knees or scalp. About 90 percent of people with psoriasis will also develop a form of arthritis associated with psoriasis that resembles rheumatoid arthritis.

Rx Mission: Remission

Having a doctor monitor your condition can make it easier for you to cope with psoriasis – emotionally as well as physically. “Everyone with severe psoriasis should get medical help,” says Albert M. Kligman, M.D., Ph.D.

The three most common treatments for psoriasis are topical treatments (applied to the skin), light therapy (called phototherapy) and oral drugs. Topical treatments, including steroids, calcipotriene (a cream-based derivative of vitamin D) and anthralin, reduce scaling and inflammation. Phototherapy, or exposure to ultraviolet-B light, helps clear psoriasis, while another form of light therapy, PUVA (psoralens and ultraviolet-A light), reduces cell growth. Oral drugs like methotrexate and cyclosporine also inhibit cell growth and reduce inflammation.

The treatments that work best, however, may also cause serious side effects. Taken in excess, methotrexate may cause liver disease, while PUVA ups the risk of skin cancer and steroids can thin the skin and occasionally aggravate the psoriasis itself. Moreover, the effectiveness of these treatments tends to decrease over time as your skin builds up a resistance to them for psoriasis causes.

To lower the risks and heighten effectiveness, these treatments are often juggled or used in alternating combinations – a strategy called rotational therapy. “Psoriasis can go into remission with any of these treatments, but the goal is to find combination treatments that make the remissions last longer,” says Alan Menter, M.D., clinical director of the National Psoriasis Tissue Bank at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and chairman of the dermatology department of that university. Currently under development are a vitamin A-based gel that eases psoriasis without the side effects of steroids and a topical version of methotrexate, which may be less risky, due to a lesser amount of the drug absorbed through the skin.

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All forms of psoriasis affect the skin. They can cause a few different problems and if you are lucky they will only cause one problem at a time. Psoriasis is famous for the redness of skin and the shedding. There are two layers of skin, the top and bottom. The top layer is the old skin, it lasts for a few weeks and then begins to shed off on its own. The bottom layer is the new skin growth that takes over for the shedding skin. Shedding skin is a normal procedure, but it happens over time so that we don’t notice. In psoriasis, we notice because the bottom lay tries to move up to the top before the top is ready to shed. This leaves cracks in the skin and gives it that red look. On top of that, the skin may start to become inflamed. If you scratch at the skin while it is flaky, red, and peeling, you could get weeping lesions and scaling on the affected area.

Those are the main symptoms for the basic three types of psoriasis: Guttate, Plaque, and Seborrheic. Plaque Psoriasis is the most common type of the disease. Each person is different, but for the most part it appears as patchy, thick flaky skin that causes itching and inflammation. If the skin is damaged skin gets injured in some other way, it is easily infected.

Guttate Psoriasis mainly affects children and young adults. It often follows after a bout of strep throat or other infections and causes red bumps on the skin. This form is often misdiagnosed as an allergic reaction rash or a fever rash. The good news is that it clears up with antibiotics, the kind taken for the strep, and it almost never comes back again.

Seborrheic Psoriasis is often mistaken for a serious cause of dandruff because it affects the scalp, ears, hairline, and forehead. Some medicated shampoos work to eliminate the flaking, but it can still be problematic.

Psoriasis is a disease of the skin that is non-contagious, and on average it affects around 1-3 % of the world’s population. The symptoms are well known and will often come and go over time. Typical psoriasis symptoms are reddish, silvery raised patches of excess skin with peeling scales appearing many different places on the body, and very frequently on the scalp.

There are many different psoriasis types and variates. However, the by far most common is so called plaque psoriasis. The exact causes of psoriasis are not really known by the medical community. However, the theories we shall take a look at here will be the best explanations they have to offer.

Genetic Causes Of Psoriasis?

There has been some research involving certain gene mutations which may or may not be part of what is causing psoriasis. Gene mutations will typically affect certain cells in such a way that they function abnormally. In the case of psoriasis, it seems to be the T-helper cells that are creating problem.

Autoimmune Problems Among The Causes Of Psoriasis?

A normal and healthy immune system fights off foreign invaders such as viruses, fungus, and bacteria by producing antibodies. The white blood cells that produce these antibodies will also produce certain chemicals to assist in the process.

What happens in the case of psoriasis is that a certain group of white blood cells called T-cells goes into hyperactivity. The immune system seems to actually attack the skin and trigger many different events that leads to the skin cells multiplying many times more rapidly than they are supposed to. The dead skin cells then begin to stack up on the surface of the skin. The normal cycle for skin cells are around thirty days from “birth” to death. In the case of psoriasis however, the skin cells will complete this whole cycle in as little as 3-6 days.

If the immune system is working properly and as it should, the T-cells are supposed to assist in the healing of the skin. What happens in the case of psoriasis is that the T-cells will produce way to much of these assisting chemicals. This again will cause inflammation of the skin, and sometimes even the joints will suffer.

Causes Of Psoriasis Revealed As Just One Underlying Cause?

Could it be that the medical community is just to narrow in their focus? They zoom in on what goes on at the genetic and the cellular level to find what causes psoriasis, but they tend to forget the bigger picture. Nobody asks what causes these anomalies in the T-cells and immune system in the first place.

Why is the body seemingly attacking it’s own skin? Could it have anything to do with the overall toxicity level of the body? Let’s say the body is trying desperately to get rid of an excessive amount of toxins via the sweat and the skin. As these toxins are being “rounded up” and moved towards the surface of the skin there is a bottleneck factor involved. When the toxins get concentrated towards the surface of the skin it is only natural that the immune system reacts. It attacks these toxins and the skin suffer.

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It is not surprising that the skin disorder is definitely one of the most misunderstood skin conditions. While in the Biblical times, the condition has been believed to be a milder variety of leprosy, Greeks knew it was different. They even coined a specific term for psoriasis—‘lepra,’ meaning ‘scaly skin condition.’ However, no significant effort in the past had been identified to explain what really causes psoriasis. To date, there are three identified possible causes of the condition, namely, genetics, the immune system, and environmental factors.

Genetic causes

For quite some time, it has been believed that psoriasis is hereditary in nature. Thus, it could only be passed through heredity, and not through skin contact. This is the reason why the skin disorder is not communicable or infectious in any way.

Several research efforts have found that there are actually nine genetic mutations that possibly lead to the onset of psoriasis. Included in those mutations is the one called PSORS-1 on chromosome 6. This is scientifically identified as the most likely genetic cause of the skin condition. This type of mutation is identified as affecting skin cells production in specific parts of the body.

The immune system

You know that the immune system is responsible for protecting the human body against microorganisms that cause diseases. In its normal function, the immune system produces white blood cells that create antibodies, which in turn combat viruses and bacteria. When special types of white blood cells, called T-cells, are produced more than normal, psoriasis occurs.

Such T-cells attack and invade skin cells. In the process, the natural skin cells are forced to multiply in an abnormally rapid rate that they stack up on skin surface. Normal skin cells are then formed. Those cells mature and slough off at least on the average of 30 days. In the case of plaque psoriasis, formation of skin patches, the skin is subjected to the entire process in just 3 to 6 days.

A proof that psoriasis is caused by an abnormal function of the immune system is the observation that immune-suppressing treatments could effectively clear the skin disorder. In the end, genetic factors are still believed to trigger immune abnormalities that lead to psoriasis formation.

Environmental causes

Believe it or not, several researches are pointing to the possibility that there are environmental triggers for the disorder. In general, it is believed that environmental factors prompt formation of psoriasis in persons who has gene mutations (mentioned above) and genetic factors. Weather, stress, skin injury, infection, and lack of vitamins are believed to lead to manifestation of the condition.

No matter what causes psoriasis, experts assert that the condition should not be taken as a curse. There are now treatments available to overcome the condition. It would also help to understand that it is not communicable. Thus, there is no need to isolate or ostracize people who are apparently affected by the disorder.

Of the five variants of the condition, plaque psoriasis is the most common. It affects 8 out of 10 people. It is characterized by patches of raised, reddish skin with silvery-white scale covering. Although it can take place anywhere on the body, plaque psoriasis most frequently forms on the elbows, lower back, knees, and scalp.

The other variants include guttate psoriasis, which involves small reddish spots on the skin. Pustular psoriasis is recognized for its white pustules covering the red skin. Inverse psoriasis is known for its smooth, red lesions forming in the skin folds. Erythrodermic psoriasis is characterized by widespread redness, severe itching, and pain.

Each variant can bring about discomfort. It can lead to itchiness in the skin as well as cracks and bleeding. In severe cases, the patient may find it difficult to sleep at night. The pain associated with the condition can make daily tasks daunting.

Psoriasis can be a chronic condition which can endure throughout the life of the patient. At present, there is no known cure. Flare ups can happen throughout their life. In order to control the signs and symptoms, the individual has to undergo lifelong therapy.

The treatment approach is determined by the degree and kind of psoriasis. In its mild stage, the patient may not be aware that they are suffering from the condition. In severe psoriasis, the lesions may extend throughout majority of the body and may require hospitalization. Majority of psoriasis cases fall in between.

In the United States, 4.5 million adults have been diagnosed with psoriasis and 150,000 new cases are diagnosed yearly. It is estimated that 20% of the patients experience moderate to severe psoriasis. Its prevalence is equal in both genders. Recent studies have established an ethnic link.
Among the various racial groups, the condition is most prevalent in Caucasians and slightly less prominent among African Americans. Across the globe, it is most prominent in Scandinavian countries as well as in other regions of Northern Europe. It is slightly rare among Asians and rare among Native Americans.

In addition, psoriasis is likewise genetically linked. Almost 1/3 of people suffering from the condition have at least one member of the family diagnosed with the condition.

According to research, the signs and symptoms of psoriasis manifest itself between 15 to 35 years old. About 75% show up prior to reaching 40 years old. However, it is likely to suffer from the condition at any age. The peak onset of the condition ranges from 50 to 60 years old.

About 1 in every 10 people is diagnosed with the condition during childhood and begins in infancy. The earlier the onset of the condition is, the higher is the possibility of it being widespread and recurrent.

In the case of psoriatic arthritis, nearly one million people in the United States suffer from the condition and 5% to 10% suffer from disability. Its initial onset is between 30 to 50 years old months after the first appearance of skin lesions. It is worth noting that not everyone diagnosed with the condition suffers from psoriasis.

Understanding what is psoriasis can be effective in preventing and treating the onset of the condition.