Did you know that August is Psoriasis Awareness Month? According to psoriasis.org, about 8 million people in the U.S. have psoriasis. Even with millions of people living with this disease, many people don’t know what it is. In this blog, we’ll discuss what psoriasis is and everything you need to know about the disease.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that causes the body to make new skin cells at a rapid rate. Since the growth cycle is sped up, it results in thick, scaly patches on the surface of the skin. These patches are known as plaques. The majority of people who have psoriasis have plaques, which makes plaque psoriasis the most common type of psoriasis. Here are the five types of psoriasis:
- Plaque
- Guttate
- Inverse
- Pustular
- Erythrodermic
Where is it Found and What Does it Look Like?
While psoriasis can affect any part of your body, thick red skin and dry patches are typically found on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. The patch can vary in size – sometimes it occurs as one patch or multiple patches that join together. Whether it’s large or small, the plaques tend to be itchy and can become worse without treatment. Everyone has different symptoms, but the itching, stinging, burning, and tightening skin are all common side effects.
Who is Affected?
Anyone can develop psoriasis, but it’s mostly seen in adults and is often genetic. Unfortunately, those who have it typically have it for life. The one exception is for children who have guttate psoriasis, which clears up over time. It’s not contagious and you cannot get it from touching someone who has it.
How is it Treated?
Since most cases of psoriasis are life-long, it’s important to visit a dermatologist early on to gain some control over the disease. It’s good to know what you can do to have clearer skin and prevent it from worsening. The best ways to subside your psoriasis are: having a skincare routine, living a healthy lifestyle, using medication when necessary, and avoiding your triggers. An outbreak can often be caused by one of these triggers:
- Stress
- Cold Weather
- Dry Skin
- Infection
- Medication
- Smoking
- Alcohol
While it’s important to visit a dermatologist to treat the severity of your psoriasis, it’s also useful because with psoriasis you have a higher chance of developing other diseases. Your dermatologist can keep an eye out for signs of those other diseases.
Schedule an Appointment at CFD
With it being Psoriasis Awareness Month, it’s a great time to find many resources and support groups on this topic. If you think you may have psoriasis, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at Complete Family Dermatology in Lincoln, NE. At our practice, we are committed to treating all skin conditions as well as helping you maintain the health of your skin. Our services include skin cancer treatment, skin reconstruction, acne treatment, skin aging treatment, growth removal, and checkups. For more information, please call us at 402-423-1111!