Psoriasis and What Can Be Done About It

Psoriasis and What Can Be Done About It

Psoriasis is a chronic auto-immune skin condition that results in dry, flaky, red and itchy skin. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. It occurs more frequently in Caucasians than other races and while people of any age can have it, psoriasis commonly present itself for the first time between the ages of 15 and 35. 

Psoriasis is a genetic condition that can be passed down in a family. This explains the fact that both Kim Kardashian and her mother have psoriasis. However, just because a parent has the condition does not mean their children will definitely have it, but it is likely to show up somewhere down the family line. Psoriasis is purely genetic and is not caused by stress, allergies, infections, deficiencies and so on. Although, some of these can be triggers for a flare-up.

The fact that psoriasis is a genetic disease also means it is not contagious. The skin condition cannot be passed from one person to another and it does not spread from one part of the body to another through contact.

Although psoriasis can show up on any part of the body, it is most often seen on the elbows, knees, scalp, trunk and even fingernails. If it presents itself on the fingernails, there will be indentions and yellow or brown discoloration on the nail. If left untreated, the fingernail can separate from the nail bed.

Psoriasis is normally diagnosed by a dermatologist. They will go through the patient’s history, look at the skin lesions or plaques and sometimes even take a skin biopsy. To find a dermatologist or rheumatologist (if you have psoriatic arthritis) near you, the National Psoriasis Foundation has an online physician directory where you can search by geographic location.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, up to 30% of those with psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis. This is characterized by pain and swelling in the joints, especially fingers, toes, neck, lower back, knees and ankles. Psoriatic arthritis is more common in men than women and typically shows up between the ages of 30 and 50. It is important to diagnose it early so it can be treated before it has a chance to become debilitating.

A study has found that people with psoriasis can be more at risk for other medical issues like heart attack or stroke. The reasoning behind this is that the chronic inflammation damages blood vessels, which can lead to heart problems. Other conditions people with psoriasis may be at greater risk for are inflammatory bowl disease and diabetes. It is important to regularly check with your doctor for signs of these conditions.   

The factors that trigger someone’s psoriasis are unique for each individual, but there are some common triggers. These include stress, injuries to the skin (sunburn, scratches, vaccinations), smoking, alcohol, pregnancy, endocrine changes, cold weather, and bacterial and viral infections. Psoriasis may be more serious in people whose immune systems are already suppressed, such as those with AIDS, those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer or those with other autoimmune disorders.

Certain medications can trigger a psoriasis flare-up or exacerbate existing symptoms. These include Lithium (used to treat bipolar disorder), Inderal (used to treat high blood pressure), Quinidine (a heart medication), Indomethacin (used to treat arthritis), antimalarials and some beta blockers.

There is no cure for psoriasis, but there are treatments to manage the symptoms. For mild cases, topical medications like corticosteroids, antibiotics or antifungals can be used. For more severe cases, phototherapy can sometimes be used, as can the medication Enbrel, which is said to target the cause of the condition at the cellular level. Recently, Stelara was reported by the National Institutes of Health to be more effective than Enbrel in improving severe cases of psoriasis.

Household Items That Can Sooth Psoriasis

Virgin Coconut Oil: Many natural oils are known for helping moisturize the skin, but virgin coconut oil may be new to you. This oil, which is solid at room temperature, can be used topically as well as taken internally. Try adding a tablespoon to your morning coffee, or use it for cooking in place of other oils.

Vinegar: Vinegar is getting a lot of attention, and not just for its use as a salad dressing. These days, environmentally conscious consumers use it in place of chemical cleaners, but it also has a handy use for skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. You can take vinegar by the spoonful, or try filling a clean squirt bottle with one part vinegar to three parts water, and spraying it onto affected areas, then letting them dry.

Baking Soda: Bicarbonate of soda has been used by heartburn sufferers for years, but when added to bath water or applied with water to the skin it can help ease itching.

Plastic Wrap: To increase the itch relieving properties of topical creams and lotions, try wrapping or taping plastic wrap over the lubricated area so lotions don’t rub off or dry too quickly.

Aloe Vera: The same properties that make aloe vera a sunburn soother can also help soothe irritated skin–especially skin that is healing from a psoriasis plaque. Keep an aloe plant, so you can snap off a piece when its needed, then wrap it up and keep it in the fridge.

Olive Oil: Like coconut oil, olive oil works both inside the body and as a topical ointment. If lotions irritate your skin, try warming a few drops of olive oil up in your hands and then using it as a light moisturizer.

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