Full Detailed Information on Psoriasis

Author: Alien

Psoriasis is a disease which affects the skin and joints. It commonly causes red scaly patches to appear on the skin. The scaly patches caused by psoriasis, called psoriatic plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites and takes a silvery-white appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area including the scalp and genitals

Psoriasis affects 2 to 2.6 percent of the United States population, or almost 5.8 to 7 million people. It occurs in all age groups and about equally in men and women. People with psoriasis may suffer discomfort, restricted motion of joints, and emotional distress.

What causes it?

The reason psoriasis occurs is unknown, so it's impossible to prevent. However, many things are thought to trigger the condition, including a skin injury, sore throat or chest infections, certain drug treatments, sunburn and stress.

A specific form of arthritis is related to psoriasis.

Signs and symptoms

Psoriasis symptoms can vary from person to person but may include one or more of the following:

* Red patches of skin covered with silvery scales

* Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children)

* Dry, cracked skin that may bleed

* Itching, burning or soreness

* Thickened, pitted or ridged nails

* Swollen and stiff joints

Treatment

There is to date no cure for psoriasis but satisfactory control of the disease is possible for most patients.

Some people have a single episode of psoriasis that clears after a few months and never recurs, quite likely after acute guttate psoriasis. Most other forms of psoriasis run a fluctuating course with periods of marked improvement and even complete clearance, only to relapse at a later time. There may be several years between relapses. A small group of patients have severe, persistent psoriasis that is very difficult to treat and can be very disabling.

Before going for Psoriasis treatment one needs to understand the disease. Psoriasis is a long-term non-contagious skin disease characterised by red scaly patches. There are different types of psoriasis and each of them requires different treatments. Brief information on different categories of Psoriasis and their treatment is given below.

1. Scaly patches caused by psoriasis known as psoriasis plaques are caused by excessive skin production and inflammation.

2. Small red spots on the skin called guttate is another form of psoriasis

3. A particular category of psoriasis known as guttate is found in groins, skin folds and armpits.

Prevention

There is no known prevention. Keeping skin clean and moist and avoiding your specific psoriasis triggers may help reduce the number of flare-ups.

Alcohol is considered a risk factor for psoriasis in young to middle-aged men. Avoid or minimize alcohol use if you have psoriasis.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/full-detailed-information-on-psoriasis-263841.html

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Pustular Psoriasis Facts and Treatment

Author: Alien

Pustular psoriasis is an uncommon form of psoriasis. Psoriasis is a common skin disease that affects the life cycle of skin cells. Generalised pustular psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis, which presents as widespread pustules on a background of red and tender skin. Pustular psoriasis is uncommon in the United States. Pustular psoriasis affects all races. The average age of those affected is 50 but the range is wide and rarely it can affect children. Generalized pustular psoriasis is often triggered by stopping topical or oral steroids. Oral steroids in psoriasis patients are actually dangerous. They do clear up the psoriasis while the patient is taking them, but after the patient stops, the psoriasis often comes back even worse.

People with pustular psoriasis have clearly defined, raised bumps on the skin that are filled with pus (pustules). The skin under and around these bumps is red. Large portions of your skin may redden.

Causes

As with other types of psoriasis, infections or stress may be a trigger factor in PPP. A strong association with smoking has also been identified, the mechanism of which is uncertain but may be linked to the products of smoking encouraging the inflammatory cells to accumulate in the epidermis (the top layer of the skin).

Around 6 per cent of the people who have psoriasis also get psoriatic arthritis in the joints. Psoriatic arthritis primarily occurs in fingers and toes, but is also quite common in the back bone.

Signs and symptoms

Initially the skin becomes dry, fiery red and tender. The patient may also have a fever, chills, headache, rapid pulse rate, and loss of appetite, nausea and muscle weakness. Within hours 2-3 mm pustules filled with non-infected pus appear on parts of the body especially the flexures and genital areas.

Pustular Psoriasis Treatment

As with all types of psoriasis, there is no cure for pustular psoriasis. There are, however, a number of treatments aimed at controlling the symptoms.

Topical medications are available over the counter and by prescription. Over-the-counter medications are designed for use on thick, scaly skin, not for use on blistering psoriasis. Prescription ointments may be used on blisters. They should be used with care because they may cause skin irritation and inflammation.

Phototherapy (ultraviolet B, UVB) and photochemotherapy (psoralent ultraviolet A, PUVA) are both used for widespread psoriasis. Many patients find that natural sunlight also helps.

Oral treatment with immunosuppressants such as ciclosporin (Neoral), or methotrexate (eg Maxtrex) or the vitamin A derivative acitretin (Neotigason) may be used for patients with severe, widespread or unresponsive psoriasis.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/pustular-psoriasis-facts-and-treatment-283422.html

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