How to Deal with Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes cells to build up on the skin's surface, forming scales and itchy red patches that can be painful.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease, and symptoms can alternate between getting worse and going into remission.

Depending on the person, symptoms of psoriasis vary.  Common symptoms include:

* Cracked/dry skin that may bleed
* Red patches of skin covered with scales
* Small scaling spots (common in children)
* Stiff and swollen joints
* Itching, burning or soreness
* Thickened or ridged nails
* Cracked/dry skin that may bleed

While psoriasis may be a minor nuisance to some, more severe cases can be disfiguring and painful.  There are several different types of psoriasis, including scalp psoriasis, nail psoriasis, plaque psoriasis (the most common, involving dry, red skin lesions covered in scales) and guttate psoriasis (triggered by a bacterial infection and marked by small sores).

Psoriasis occurs when a person's T cells attack healthy cells of the skin by mistake as if they were fighting an infection or healing a wound.  These overactive T cells cause new skin cells move to the outermost layer of skin must faster than they should, resulting in dead skin which can't slough off quickly enough and that builds up in thick patches on the skin.  Psoriasis can also be triggered by certain things such as stress, cold weather, infections, skin injuries and certain medications--for example, lithium.

So how can psoriasis be treated?  Generally, treatments can be divided into three main areas:

1) Oral medications, like retinoids or Cyclosporine

2) Topical treatments, for example corticosteroids and topical retinoids

3) Light therapy, such as UVB therapy or brief exposure to sunlight

If you are experiencing symptoms of psoriasis, be sure to see your doctor as soon as possible. He or she will advise you as to the best course of action to follow.

Photo credit: Mayo Clinic