Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects in the region of one in fifty adults while at the same time causing significant psychological distress to those individuals that are afflicted with the condition. One of the most interesting discoveries related to what causes psoriasis skin disease is that its onset is rooted in the body’s immune system.

Salmon colored skin which becomes scaly, flaky and irritated is among the common symptoms of psoriasis. With plaque psoriasis, which is also the most common type, the affected areas develop circular, eliptical or odd shaped areas of red which are covered with skin that is scaly and silver colored. There is no consistency in the size or form of the patchy areas and sometimes, individual smaller patches can merge together and appear as one large odd shape of irritated skin. As well as being unsightly, the skin in these areas sometimes cracks and starts bleeding.

The area of affected skin can become very tender and feel as though it is burning. Like the shape, there is no consistency as to how long a particular flare-up will last. It could last ten days or you might have to suffer it for a number of weeks. One of the worst aspects for those affected is that it is a lifelong condition and recurrent flare-ups can happen at any time.

Body areas that are most often affected include the trunk, head, elbows and knees although any part of the body can develop symptoms of psoriasis. One unusual anomaly is that flare-ups are inclined to be balanced in as much that both sides of the body will be affected in identical areas at the same time.

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Hereditary factors play some role in psoriasis meaning that those folks with parents or grandparents who have had psoriasis have an increased chance that they will develop it also. For reasons that are not yet fully understood, T-cells, which are required by our bodies to produce infection fighting white blood cells, cause inflammation of the skin. These same cells also trigger some bodily process which results in the over production of skin cells. Because these skin cells are surplus to requirements, they simply pile up on top of each other and in turn produce the telltale raised patches on the skins surface. To nourish these extra skin cells, an increased blood supply is necessary which results in the red look.

Although not the causes of psoriasis, frequent triggers include sunlight, streptococcal infections and traumas, both past and present, to the skin. Anxiety and stress can also spark an outbreak as can alterations in hormone levels. Higher incidences of psoriasis have also been noted in those folks with the early stages of HIV infection. Folks who smoke cigarettes who also drink alcohol increase their risks of developing psoriasis.

Currently, there is still no known cure for psoriasis. However there are many effective treatment choices that can relieve the symptoms. Resisting the temptation to scratch the affected area and keeping it damp is a good start.

The initial course of treatments are localized and are applied directly to the affected area with the ultimate aim of trying to stem the production of excess skin cells. Coal tar, salicylic acid, corticosteroids, synthetic vitamin D, tazorac and anthrallin are common localized treatment choices as are specially developed bathing products and moisturizers. For more serious cases where localized treatments maybe ineffectual, systemic medications may be prescribed by the physician. Phototherapy, where patients are exposed to medically-supervised ultraviolet radiation is also effectual in treating psoriasis.

To learn more about caring for your skin and other skin problems, pick up your copy of

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Skin Care

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SherryD
http://www.imperfectyou.com