Psoriasis is more than just dry skin

Some of you might have experienced rashes, itchy, or dry skin in your lifetime. This persistent skin problem can have a negative effect on the quality of one’s life. Psoriasis symptoms are different for everyone, therefore one needs to spot and treat this skin disorder in time.  This blog summarises crucial details, you need to know about psoriasis.

All About Psoriasis

Glen (a physician, surgeon, and philosopher in the Roman Empire) was the first person to identify psoriasis as a skin disease. He penned the terminology using the Greek word psora, which means ‘to itch.’ According to a global report on psoriasis by WHO, too many people in the world suffer needlessly, due to a delayed diagnosis, and scarce knowledge about the psoriasis skin disease. Psoriasis is a common, chronic, non-communicable skin disease. Psoriasis is a global problem with at least 100 million individuals affected, worldwide. Although psoriasis is classified as a skin disorder, it doesn't start on the surface of the skin; its damage may be more than skin deep.

Psoriasis Vulgaris or plaque psoriasis is a disorder of the immune system. White blood cells called T-helper lymphocytes become overactive, producing excess amounts of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-2, and interferon-gamma. In turn, these chemicals trigger inflammation in the skin and other organs. In the skin, the inflammation has 3 characteristic findings: widened blood vessels, accumulation of white blood cells, and abnormally rapid multiplication of keratinocytes (cells found in the epidermis – topmost layer of the skin).

In healthy skin, keratinocytes take about a month to divide, mature, migrate to the skin surface, and shed to make way for young cells. But in the psoriasis skin condition, the entire process speeds up to only three to five days. The result is thick, red skin that sheds silvery scales of keratinocytes that have matured, before their time. Inflammation and the growth of new blood vessels redden the affected areas, causing itchy and dry scaly skin.

Also read:https://www.drbatras.com/how-to-spot-and-treat-psoriasis-disease

Psoriasis Complications

Psoriasis shows up on the skin and nails (nail psoriasis) — but the immune system abnormalities that cause this disease, can damage other parts of the body as well. According to an NCBI research study, the most common co-morbid diseases, related to psoriasis are:

Arthritis: Up to 25% of patients with psoriasis develop joint inflammation. In some cases, arthritis can precede skin involvement. There is a strong link between nail psoriasis and arthritis, and some arthritis patients have nail psoriasis without any skin disease. Psoriatic arthritis can affect the small joints of the fingers and large joints elsewhere in the body, or even the spine.

Cardiovascular diseases: A research study on psoriasis disease has established a link between psoriasis and heart attack. The risk of cardiovascular diseases is high in patients with severe psoriasis that has developed, at a young age. The association remains valid even for the risk factors that are common to both psoriasis and heart disease, such as smoking, obesity, and stress. Individuals with psoriasis are also at high risk for peripheral artery disease and heart stroke.

Psychosocial disorders: Psoriasis can cause emotional distress and disrupt social interactions and productivity. Physical discomfort and disfigurement combine to make severe psoriasis a disabling disease.

Other conditions: Patients with psoriasis have a high risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, Crohn's disease (inflammatory bowel disease — IBD), insulin resistance (body cells are unable to use insulin effectively), and obesity. Patients who receive aggressive psoriasis therapy are also at risk of certain types of cancer.

Read about the psoriasis triggers: https://www.drbatras.com/what-foods-trigger-psoriasis-flare-ups