Understanding Psoriasis

Posted on: August 1st, 2024 by Dr. Michelle Pennie

August is Psoriasis Awareness Month, a dedicated time to shed light on this chronic autoimmune condition that affects millions worldwide. Psoriasis is more than just a skin condition—its persistent effect can significantly impact your daily life.

Psoriasis is characterized by inflamed or scaly patches of skin, often accompanied by itching and discomfort, but it manifests differently in everyone, ranging from mild, manageable symptoms to severe outbreaks that require intensive treatment and management. 

Beyond its physical manifestations, psoriasis can affect well-being and your overall quality of life. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and available treatment options is crucial for those both living with the condition and those seeking to support them.  

This month serves as an opportunity to increase awareness, foster understanding, and encourage support for those navigating life with psoriasis. Whether you’re seeking information for yourself or to aid someone you care about, education and empathy are key to navigating this complex condition effectively. Here is your guide to understanding Psoriasis.

Causes and Types

Psoriasis can affect anyone. While scientists have not yet fully identified the exact cause of psoriasis, it originates within the body. The issue starts when the immune system becomes overactive and causes the skin to grow faster than normal. This causes excess skin cells to accumulate and create dry patches and inflammation on the surface of your skin. 

The causes of this immune system reaction are unclear, but there are genetic and various environmental factors that have been found to put you at an increased risk for the condition. If someone in your imminent family has psoriasis, you are more at risk to have it. Smoking, stress, cold, dry weather conditions, medications, obesity, and bacterial infections can trigger or exacerbate psoriasis as well. 

Not everyone has the same type of psoriasis. The most common type of psoriasis is Plaque, affecting 80-90% of psoriasis patients. Other types include Gluttate, Pustular, Inverse, Erythrodermic, and Nail. Each type presents distinct symptoms and may require customized treatments. 

Common Symptoms

Psoriasis impacts everyone differently and symptoms can range from mild to severe. Common signs and symptoms of psoriasis include: 

• Skin plaques and scaling spots 
• Skin rashes
• Dry, cracked skin
• Pitted nails
• Joint and skin pain

The most common symptoms of psoriasis are the development of plaques on the skin, which are often found on the knees, elbows, lower back, and scalp. Less commonly, psoriasis can manifest in the form of numerous small, scaly, drop-shaped lesions scattered across the body. Psoriasis can also affect the fingernails and toenails, resulting in discoloration and malformation. For some, flare-ups can occur unexpectedly, turning mild symptoms into severe outbreaks. 

If you have psoriasis, you are at risk of developing other health conditions. Psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke), and certain cancers are all linked to psoriasis. Besides the physical issues caused by psoriasis, it can impede a person’s daily life and well-being. People with psoriasis struggle with mental health, fatigue, quality of sleep, and social isolation, among other things. 

Skin Treatments

Our dermatology providers can provide treatments to help manage psoriasis symptoms and improve your quality of life. Even though psoriasis isn’t curable, it can be managed. 

There are various ways to treat and take care of psoriasis, but the main goal is to stop skin cells from growing quickly. It is important to treat the psoriatic plaques on the skin as well as underlying inflammation. Some of the ways we are able to treat psoriasis are: 

• Topical Therapies: Corticosteroids are the primary option for reducing itch and inflammation. They are available as ointments, creams, lotions, oils, and more. Lotions and creams containing salicylic or lactic acid can soften plaques. Steroids can be beneficial for more immediate results, but they should not be used excessively due to possible skin side effects. Synthetic vitamin D along with topical corticosteroids has also been known to slow skin growth.
• Light Therapy: Light therapy is for moderate to severe psoriasis cases and involves exposing your skin to natural or artificial light in controlled amounts. Phototherapy commonly uses controlled ultraviolet light to reduce skin inflammation combined with other therapies. Brief, daily natural light exposure like sunlight may improve symptoms. 
• Systemic Therapies: Medications are most appropriate for severe symptoms and those affecting the joints. There are many new options that include oral or injected medications to modulate the inflammatory pathways to clear the skin with minimal side effects.

Living with Psoriasis 

Psoriasis treatment is not a one-time appointment. It is a life-long disease needing regular maintenance to reduce symptoms and triggers. 

Along with regular dermatology maintenance, you can incorporate several holistic strategies to cope with psoriasis. Healthy lifestyle choices can go a long way to making your psoriasis symptoms better. 

Healthy Eating

Diet does not cause psoriasis but it can trigger symptoms. Certain foods cause inflammation in the body, making symptoms worse. You want to avoid inflammatory foods like fatty foods, dairy, foods with high added sugar and gluten, etc. Everyone reacts differently to foods so it is important to track which one’s your body has negative reactions to and adjust your diet accordingly. Having a balanced whole-foods diet is the best way to combat inflammation from food. Foods like fish, lean or plant-based proteins, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and olive oil can help you maintain a healthy diet while reducing inflammation.

Exercise

Incorporating exercise into your life can help reduce inflammation, improve mental health, and reduce other health risks that can exacerbate psoriasis. Having stress management in your routine helps break the connection between stress and psoriasis, which can cause each other to worsen. 

Clean Skin & Avoiding Sun Exposure

Regular skin care is another way to help control your psoriasis. Keeping skin moisturized, clean, and protected promotes skin health and healing. It is crucial to protect your skin from the sun to avoid triggering symptoms. Wearing sunscreen and UV clothes can go a long way to reducing issues. Make sure to be mindful of psoriasis medications, as some increase your sun sensitivity. Vitamin D from the sun is essential, but too much sun exposure for anyone, especially for someone with psoriasis, can be harmful. 

Dealing with psoriasis can be overwhelming, but with the right care strategies and support, you can find harmony with your skin. 

Visit Bliss Dermatology today to schedule your psoriasis skin exam.