Psoriasis is one of those skin diseases that has been around since the time of man. Amazingly throughout the centuries it has been mistaken for leprosy, dandruff and every sort of fungal infection possible. Earliest recorded evidence goes back as far as 35 AD.
But remarkably it is only in the last few decades that we have been able to understand it’s cause and progress with treatments for it.
It is one of the most popular skin diseases know to man. Although only 3% of the population are affected by it and only 2% of these cases develop into a more severe form of Psoriasis. It is still mistaken for other infections so feasibly these stats should be higher.
The general symptoms are reddish raised and infected areas on the skin developing into white scaly dry flakey skin. and Extremely itchy and irritating these inflamed areas can be found on the elbows, lower back, knees and scalp. Also yellowish and pitted nails and toenails cracking of the skin. Chronic infection and more severe cases of Psoriasis develop into swelling of the joints knees, hands, toes neck and fingers.
Treatment for Psoriasis is only to restrict , comfort and restrain the spread of the disease. There is no long term cure and it has a habit of reoccurring. Topical treatments are considered the best way of controlling this disease. The use of creams , lotions, moisturisers sprays and gels maintains the lubrication of the infected area introducing medications through the skin directly onto the infected area. Further medications can be steroids ageing applied through the topical treatment creams and lotions. There are further therapies required for different forms and treatments, and in the worst cases hospitalisation is the only route to containment.
Psoriasis is brought on by conditions like:- stress, smoking, ill health, drinking and environmental issues. It is and can be triggered by any of the afro mentioned causing a breakdown of the immune system. It is not contagious that is it can not be passed on from one person to another. But it is and can be passed on from one family member to another through their genes. So it is highly probable that if some one in the family has had it you may well form it at some stage.
Of the cases reported in the USA 4,5 million people are know to have suffered from some form or another. Again 150, 000 new cases are reported in the USA alone. Mostly in Caucasians and only slightly less common in African Americans.
The exciting thing is that with new scientific research, breakthroughs in the control and understanding of this horrible disease are being made. So in the future will shall not suffer as we have in the past.
For more facts and a better understanding of Psoriasis click on the links below.