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WHAT IS PSORIASIS ?
Psoriasis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease seen as
local, scaling and plaques of various sizes. Inflammation
and a thick accumulation of dead skin cells are some of the
unsightly, uncomfortable, and even painful symptoms.
It is an immune-mediated, genetic disease manifesting in the skin
and/or the joints. Physically, if less then 2 percent of the body
is involved, the case is considered as MILD PSORIASIS. Between 3
to 10 percent is considered MODERATE,
and more than 10 percent is SEVERE. Normally, 1 percent of the skin is equal
to the size of a palm.
Psoriasis is not contagious. For
some, it is a minor skin irritation, but for others, psoriasis can
be painful and potentially disabling. Others often say that their psoriasis occurs in a
cyclical pattern. For example, their psoriasis may be better in the
summer and worse in the winter.
Having psoriasis is, in itself, stressful for the patient. When lesions are visible,
people may stare and not want to get near. Even a spouse, parents, children, friends, and
co-workers can be visibly uncomfortable. Some people report that
even a
spouse cannot bear to touch them during severe outbreaks. Others say
they feel embarrassed or ashamed of their own skin.
Normal skin comprises of superficial epidermis layer and the
deep layer dermis. The most upper layer of skin is made up of
mature horn cells. These horn cells are derived from the basal
layer of epidermis by series of changes in the cell structure
within 28 to 30 days very slowly.
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This total process of formation of mature cells
from the immature cell layer is so activated that process completes
only within 3 to 7 days instead of 28 to 30 days. Therefore there is
accumulation of mature cells in layers in abundant quantity. These
silvery colored layers are called as scales, which are shading
continuously from the patches. |
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What causes psoriasis?
Till date, the exact cause of psoriasis is unknown; though it is generally
accepted that it has a genetic component, and a recent study has
established that it is an autoimmune skin disorder. Scientists
believe that a person is born genetically predisposed to Psoriasis.
One in three people report a family history of psoriasis, but there
is no pattern of inheritance. There are many cases in which children
with no apparent family history of the disease will develop
psoriasis. Whether a person actually develops Psoriasis may depend
upon something "triggering" its appearance. Examples of ' trigger
factors' includes systematic infections such as sore throat, injury
to the skin , vaccinations, certain medications, and intramuscular
injections
[The Koebner phenomenon.] or after oral steroid
medications.
How many
people are suffering from psoriasis?
If you've been told recently that you have psoriasis, you may also
feel some confusion and even anger because you are still unknown
about Psoriasis and it’s treatment. Your feelings are normal, and
you are not alone. It is estimated that over seven million Americans
(2.6%) have psoriasis, with more than 150,000 new cases reported
each year. Psoriasis affects more than 4.5 million people in the
United States. About 5% Indian population is suffering from this
dreadful skin disease but very few of them know about the disease.
Who gets psoriasis?
Psoriasis can occur to anybody at any
age, although it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 15
and 35. Both men and women of any race may be affected. According to
the National Psoriasis Foundation, 20,000 children under 10 years of
age are diagnosed with psoriasis annually. We came across as less as
six months old baby patient and as high as 75 years old patient of
Psoriasis in India.
PSORIASIS TRIGGERS
"Trigger" is usually necessary to make psoriasis
appear. These triggers may include emotional stress, injury to the
skin, some types of infection and reaction to certain drugs.
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