You've Got Psoriasis, What Can You do?

There is no medical treatment for psoriasis. If you’ve got psoriasis, it can seem like a life sentence. The doctors cannot provide a cure, all they can do is to provide you with medication that can help decrease the symptoms.

The situation can further worsen with claims of miracle cures, magic medicine and other forms of quackery; trying to make quick profit at the cost of a patient’s disappointment by selling false hope and playing with people’s emotions along the way.

1. Symptoms of psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder, which is caused by the multiplication of skin cells at a ten times faster rate than normally. This results in the formation of red or pinkish bumpy skin with white scales on top. The most affected areas of a person’s body are the scalp, elbows and knees. Psoriasis, however, can affect other body parts, such as the lower back, area around the breasts etc.

Psoriasis is not a communicable disease. However, if a single family member has psoriasis, chances are other family members will develop symptoms as well.

2. Types of psoriasis
The most common variety if psoriasis is “plaque psoriasis” — The key characteristics of this type are the formation of red colored plaques covered with silver or whitish scales. Itching and burning sensations can also occur around these plaques.

Nails can get discolored and start pitting. This can also make the nails easily breakable or harder and thicker.

Formation of scales or crust on the scalp.

3. Psoriasis and depression
It is not surprising that depression and psoriasis go hand in hand. Living with psoriasis can negatively affect a person’s life. In addition to bullying, trouble with intimacy and negative self image; which themselves can trigger depression, with psoriasis scientists believe there’s another cause for depression, as the inflammation caused by psoriasis can play a huge role in triggering depression and anxiety in the patients. A lot of doctors recommend treatment for depression, along with psoriasis symptoms management, taking special care to control the inflammation within the person’s body.

4. Coping with psoriasis
The negativity surrounding psoriasis can be baffling. It can be a painful experience to view yourself in the mirror and observe those plaques. Given the highly visualized culture we’re living in, this can be heart shattering for the patient. Furthermore, the lack of awareness and understanding by loved ones can create additional problems. Additional stigmas associated with psoriasis can lead to a challenging experience.

However, it is important to note that this isn’t your choice. Getting psoriasis is not in your control, it is the result of factors that were beyond your control. It is, then, advisable to accept your condition so all your focus can be focused on managing symptoms and avoiding triggers. It is important to bring your loved ones into confidence, to talk openly with them and ask for support, so that with help you can manage your symptoms well.

5. Triggers of psoriasis
Any autoimmune disease has triggers which causes the disease to flare up, resulting in an elevation of symptoms. One of the most essential things for managing psoriasis effectively is to manage and avoid the triggers as best as possible.

Some of the common triggers for psoriasis are:

Stress
Stress has a huge impact on well being. Increase in stress can cause a psoriasis flare up, resulting in the elevation of symptoms. The best way to avoid stress is to avoid negativity, keep exercising and develop a good sense of humor.
Alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption can trigger or worsen the symptoms of psoriasis. Reducing the amount of alcohol has tremendous advantages, but if you have psoriasis, it is best to avoid alcohol as best as you can.
Injury
A skin injury can cause a flare up of psoriasis, in particular, shots, vaccinations and even sunburn can trigger symptoms.
Medication
Certain medications are known to trigger a psoriasis flare up. These medicines include:
Blood pressure medications
Anti malarial drugs
Lithium
Individuals with psoriasis should consult with their physician before taking any of these medicines.
Infections
Psoriasis is an auto-immune disorder which is caused by the white blood cells attacking the skin cells. When people with psoriasis catch an infection, the white blood cells can go into hyper mode and cause havoc on the body. This then leads to disturbance of the immune system, which causes a flare up. People with psoriasis have to take great care not to catch an infection to avoid triggering a flare-up.