5 Things Doctors Want You to Know About Psoriasis
Oh my God, you have a rash that looks like the picture you saw on Google describing psoriasis!
Oh, immune system, what have I done to thee?
Our body has a natural defense mechanism, the immune system, to fight off viruses and bacteria.
But sometimes, through unknown reasons, it can start attacking our organs and cells!
That’s what happens when you get psoriasis.
Psoriasis occurs when the immune system sends wrong messages to your skin cells, informing them to grow faster.
Eventually, what you get is a massive lump of skin cells that cause your skin to appear red, cracked, and covered with silvery scales.
But is psoriasis similar to chickenpox? Can you catch it?
Before jumping to conclusions, check out these five medical bullet points that briefly cover psoriasis!
1. A Physician Should Diagnose Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that results in itchy, well-delineated, red, scaly plaques in locations across the body, often on the scalp, elbows, and knees.
Patients are diagnosed with psoriasis in their 20s or later in adulthood, after a thorough clinical examination and query about family history, and sometimes followed with a skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
You may get a rash from eating a specific food that might resemble the symptoms of psoriasis.
Although it might help to research and read about skin diseases through online articles, do not self-diagnosis!
2. Psoriasis Is Not Eczema
Psoriasis, which is claimed to be an autoimmune condition, is most often confused with the most common form of eczema called atopic dermatitis.
Concerning its appearance, psoriasis lesions have sharper borders and thicker scaling than atopic dermatitis.
Patients who suffer from atopic dermatitis usually start experiencing symptoms in early childhood after having allergic conditions, like asthma, seasonal allergies, and food sensitivities.
Unlike psoriasis, atopic dermatitis tends to be itchier, less well-defined, and present in different body parts, such as the face and body fold areas of the arms and the legs.
3. Psoriasis Is Not Contagious
Many patients feel distressed or sad when talking about psoriasis because of the social stigma surrounding it.
Unfortunately, what people don’t understand, they fear.
Psoriasis isn’t infectious. Your next of kin and strangers shouldn’t be afraid of someone who has psoriasis.
In fact, genetics play a significant role in the incidence of the development of psoriasis.
4. There Is Still Ongoing Research into the Causes of Psoriasis
According to medical professionals, there’s still a lot to learn about how and why patients develop psoriasis.
Inflammatory pathways that are involved in psoriasis are still under study. Addressing that inflammation is the key to treating this skin condition much more effectively nowadays.
It’s important to note the role of genetics in the likelihood of psoriasis.
If someone has a parent or grandparent with the condition, they are at higher risk for developing it. However, there are likely various factors involved that eventually lead to the onset of psoriasis.
5. Treatments of Psoriasis Have Improved Greatly in the Last 10 Years
Nowadays, it’s possible to help patients get rid of or greatly diminish the development of psoriasis while improving their internal symptoms, including psoriatic arthritis.
Treatment options vary depending on the extent of the condition, but most work through targeting inflammation caused by an overactive immune system.
Moreover, because patients with psoriasis have a greater risk of diabetes and heart disease, doctors recommend that primary care physicians be actively involved in screening for such conditions.
Get in Touch with a Professional
If you think you are experiencing any symptoms related to psoriasis or know someone who suspects that they have psoriasis, reach out to a psoriasis specialist to inquire about the condition further.
