Psoriasis

Psychological stress and distress may trigger the psoriasis among certain people who have a tendency, or may lead to an increase of the current rashes. Therefore, psychological help will provide an effect by reducing the severity of the disease on people who have higher stress levels. Also, dental caries, tonsillitis, infectious diseases such as urinary tract infections and damages of rubbing, hitting, scratching, high alcohol consumption, certain metabolic disorders (hypocalcaemia), and medications may trigger the psoriasis.

Psychological Stress

In studies, it is found that psoriasis shows an alteration, especially depending on severe lifestyle changes. In some recent studies, it is determined that there is an increase in blood levels of certain substances which have a trigger effect on immune system, along with the stress.

Bacterial and viral infections

It is a fact that psoriasis may be intensifiedin children, due to colonization of oropharyngeal bacteria called as ''streptococcus''. Therefore, patients, who have frequently tonsillitis, need to receive a complete treatment. Even if the patient has no compliant, dermatologists usually order an antibiogram test through collecting sample with the aid of a cotton swab to acquire a throat culture. Apart from these conditions, diseases where there is a constant reservoir of infection in the body (e.g. dental caries) requires an essential treatment.

Climate

The severity of psoriasis decreases in sunny weathers and intensifies particularly in the winter. Also, incidence of psoriasis has a less frequency in the areas with low altitude. Since moisture content is less in dry climates, patients experience more itching on skin patches. So, psoriasis patients may be more relieved in areas with humid climate. In addition, warm air heaters cause a composition of dry air, and itching on the skin patches will be intensified. Psoriasis patients should use plenty of moisturizer in winters.

Koebner phenomenon

Injury of non-psoriatic skin may lead to new psoriasis lesions in the region. This condition is called as Koebner phenomenon. Sunburn and skin cuts may lead to that condition. However, the sun may be beneficial for psoriasis, it should be avoided from sunlight as much intense as to cause a sunburn. Psoriasis patients should definitely avoid from administration of permanent tattoo, since psoriasis may also develop in tattooed areas. Intense itching along with the effect of Koebner phenomenon of surrounding skin, may lead to a new formation of psoriasis lesions, therefore it should be treated. Many psoriasis patients alsoremove their skin patches by pulling out. That habit may also lead to the same issue.

Who gets psoriasis?

Psoriasis occurs in both genders. However, disease incidence have more frequency in women rather than men. The disease can arise at any age. Age of onset is below 10 years in 10-15% of patients. Mean age of onset is 28 years old.

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

The diagnosis of psoriasis is usually made by dermatological examination. If it is clinically confused with other conditions, a piece of sample from skin may be necessary for pathological examination. There is no special blood test to confirm diagnosis of psoriasis.

Are all types of psoriasis similar?

Psoriasis can appear in many different clinical forms. In the most common type of the disease, typical symptoms are raised, red, scaly patches on the skin which covered by thick plaque with white silvery flaking like dandruff. It occurs especially on the regions such as; knee, elbow and scalp. Occasionally, the patches can be widespread enough to cover the entire body.

Scalp involvement occurs in nearly 50% of patients. In some cases, only scalp involvement can occur.

Disease in children may exhibit different characteristics. Usually, symptoms are red, scaly patches with 1-10 mm in diameter. These symptoms may increase especially after upper respiratory tract infections.

The disease can be limited to skinfolds such as; axilla (armpit), groin, substernal (below chest) areas in certain patients. Since those areas involved in psoriasis have a humid skin characteristic, disease presents with only red patches without flaking like dandruff.

Psoriasis can also cause swelling in the form of acne, as well as flaking and redness. Furthermore, as skin rashes are limited to the regions of palm and sole (palmoplantar pustular psoriasis), they may be also widespread enough to cover whole body.

Psoriasis can cause the pitting, thickening, separation, the point of bleeding and changes of yellowing on the nails. These symptoms may be associated with other skin rashes as well as occurring alone.

Joint involvement can be detected in 10% of patients with psoriasis. Especially, involvements of hand and foot are common. Large joints are rarely affected. Diagnosis of the psoriasis accompanied by other rashes can be made easily, but the diagnosis of psoriasis with single joint involvement be rather difficult.

In the event that psoriasis cause an appearance of widespread rashes and flaking like dandruff, it may also lead to several complaints such as fever, hypothermia, chills and fatigue.

Is there a special diet for psoriasis?

There are no special diet for the disease. In recent studies, it is reported that fish oil containing omega-3 may improve the disease, presence of the disease is more common in patients who consume saturated fats and excessive weight gain can exacerbate the complaints related to skinfold areas.

Does psoriasis cause hair loss?

Psoriasis does not normally cause hair loss. However, hair loss can occur while patients try to remove extra thick scalp plaques, surrounding the hair. In addition, some drugs used to treat the disease can cause temporary hair loss.

Where does psoriasis show up?

Psoriasis affect the scalp, knees, elbows and trunk most commonly. However, it can show up on anywhere - including the nails, palms, soles, genital areas and face. Lesions are usually symmetrical, namely occur at the same places on the right and left sides of the body.

What should psoriasis patients pay attention to?

Should not use any unnecessary medication.
Should eat healthily.
Should avoid from alcohol and smoking.
Should maintain the ideal body weight.
Should be treated immediately in the event of infection occurrence such as; tooth decay or sinusitis.
Should exercise regularly.
Should learn stress management to cope with stress.
Should avoid excessive sun
Should be a person who is at peace with the world and life.
What is the role of the immune system in psoriasis?
Immune system is composed of defence cells to protect body against diseases. By functional disruption of those cells, certain diseases occur. In psoriasis, abnormal function of the to immune cells leads to a stimulation and rapid proliferation process in the skin cells. Yet, it is not clear that causes of the abnormal function of immune system and the stimulation for skin cells, certain triggering factors are already known to have a role in that process.