Psoriasis skin
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that causes rashes on the skin. With treatment and the right products, symptoms can be relieved or disappear completely. Psoriasis often comes in flare-ups, and many people find that the condition worsens their quality of life.
BIOpH+ Psoriasis medical bath has been proven effective in clinical trials.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease caused by inflammation in the upper layers of the skin. Psoriasis causes rashes on the skin, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. Some people also experience joint problems.
Psoriasis affects approximately 2-3 percent of the population. The skin condition is equally common among women and men. Approximately half of all people with psoriasis developed the condition before the age of 30. Women are usually slightly younger than men when they are diagnosed.
Related symptoms
People with psoriasis have an increased risk of fungal infections. Approximately 40 percent also experience some type of nail change. This can range from thickened nails to translucent or pitted nails.
Between 20 and 40 percent of people with psoriasis also experience joint or back pain. These symptoms may not be related to the skin condition.
Certain conditions can be mistaken for psoriasis. Eczema, for example, can resemble psoriasis.
Other related conditions include
- nail fungus
- fungal infection
- ringworm
What happens to the skin?
The skin is made up of several layers, with the epidermis being the outermost. At the top of the epidermis is the stratum corneum, which consists of dead skin cells. On healthy skin, the dead skin cells shed evenly and are replaced by new ones produced from below.
In psoriasis, new skin cells form much faster than the skin can keep up. The stratum corneum cannot form normally, and the cells shed in patches instead of one by one. The skin is also inflamed, which makes it feel warm. Increased blood flow also causes the skin to turn red or darker, depending on skin tone.
What causes psoriasis?
The exact cause of psoriasis is not fully known. Psoriasis can be influenced by genetics, increased inflammatory activity, and an unhealthy lifestyle. If one parent has psoriasis, there is a 30 percent chance that their child will develop the condition. If both parents are affected, the chance increases to 60 percent.
Other factors that trigger psoriasis include
- infections
- stress
- traumatic event
- sun exposure for some people
- smoking
- alcohol
- medications.
There is a link between severe psoriasis and hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, and alcohol abuse.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of psoriasis include red, scaly, itchy rashes. Where the rashes appear and what they look like depends on the type of psoriasis you have.
Plaque psoriasis
The most common form is called plaque psoriasis. Symptoms include round, scaly, itchy rashes. Under the silvery scales, the skin is tender and bleeds easily. On light skin, the rashes are often red or pink. On dark skin, the patches may be purple or darker.
Plaque psoriasis usually appears on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. Another characteristic is that rashes often appear on both sides of the body, for example on both knees. Symptoms often come in flare-ups.
Guttate psoriasis
Symptoms include small red spots on the skin. Usually, the spots are round and measure approximately 0.5-1 cm in diameter. Guttate psoriasis can also scab over and cause red skin.
Guttate psoriasis can flare up in connection with strep throat or other infections. This variant most often affects teenagers and can resolve on its own.
Inverse psoriasis
Common symptoms include smooth, shiny rashes that appear in skin folds. Unlike many other variants, inverse psoriasis rashes do not scale.
Inverse psoriasis can affect the armpits, groin, under the breasts, and navel, for example. The face can also be affected, usually around the nostrils, eyebrows, or hairline on the forehead.
Pustulosis palmoplantaris (PPP)
This variant is controversial because some people do not consider it a form of psoriasis. Pustulosis palmoplantaris causes yellow pustules that then dry up. The skin can be itchy and feel tender when new pustules form. The rashes appear on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. Pustulosis palmoplantaris almost exclusively affects smokers or former smokers.
Other forms of psoriasis
Psoriasis can also present in other variants, such as
- hand-foot psoriasis
- scalp psoriasis
What can I do myself?
For psoriasis, treatment is often needed because symptoms rarely clear up on their own. Depending on your lifestyle, there are some things you can do to reduce symptoms. Research suggests that people with psoriasis are particularly sensitive to an unhealthy lifestyle. Eating nutritious food and staying active are therefore general tips to keep in mind.
Things you can do yourself include:
- lose weight if you are overweight
- quit smoking
- reduce alcohol consumption
- exercise and stay active
- manage stress.
How is psoriasis treated?
Psoriasis is a chronic condition, but with treatment, symptoms can be relieved or almost completely disappear. The condition is often treated with creams, light therapy, and medications. There are also special treatment products made for water baths, such as the BIOpH Psoriasis medical bath.
Skin care for psoriasis
There are many different types of creams, lotions, and ointments that can be used for psoriasis. Which creams or products you should use depends on the type of psoriasis you have, where the rashes are located, and your age.
Moisturizing the skin is one of the most important aspects of psoriasis care. Try to establish a routine that works for you. Ideally, products should contain ingredients that soften the skin, soothe itching, and reduce scaling.
Steroid-containing products are also common for psoriasis and can reduce the risk of rashes flaring up.
Psoriasis on the face
Psoriasis rarely appears specifically on the face. When it does, the eyelids are usually the affected area.
Since the skin on the face, especially the eyelids, is sensitive, you should use skin care specifically formulated for facial psoriasis. Use natural skin care and fragrance-free products.
Exfoliants and certain types of facial treatments can make the skin more sensitive. You should be careful with this because psoriasis often develops where the skin is damaged. For example, you can choose a gentle exfoliant if you want to exfoliate your face.
If you use skin care with sunscreen, it must be washed off before light therapy.
Light therapy
If skin care tailored to relieve psoriasis does not help, you can try light therapy. These come in different variants depending on the severity of the condition.
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UVB
Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis can be treated with UVB therapy. Treatment is usually given a few times a week over a few weeks.
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PUVA
PUVA can be used for severe psoriasis. This treatment is also given more intensively over a shorter period.
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Climate care
Traveling to the Canary Islands or another sunny location can act as a supplement to other treatments.
