Millions of people suffer from psoriasis, a condition that often manifests as red patches across the surface of the skin. It is as prevalent in men as it is in women. While the symptoms can vary for each person, common symptoms include dry and irritated skin that can itch and even bleed. The root cause of psoriasis is unknown, though scientists suspect it’s related to excess production of skin cells, a dysfunction of the body’s immune system, or a combination of the two.
The Effects Of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is usually categorized with regards to its level of severity (mild, moderate, or severe). The categories are based upon the percentage of surface area affected, degree of redness and scaling, how receptive the condition is to various treatments and its impact upon the patient.
It can manifest as tiny bumps, thick patches of raised skin, or areas of skin with severe flaking. In nearly a third of cases, psoriasis leads to discomfort and pain within the joints (known as psoriatic arthritis). Occasionally, the pain can even be debilitating.
Different Treatments For Psoriasis
The type of treatment used by doctors and dermatologists varies based upon the severity of each case and the response that each patient has to the treatment. These can include using topical agents, phototherapy, medications and even injections. In mild cases of psoriasis, topical solutions such as emollients and medicated creams are used to moisturize and soothe areas that are irritated. Alternatively, limited exposure to UVB rays can lead to remission. In some cases, hydrocortisone is used in combination with phototherapy to encourage remission or lead to less severe symptoms.
Severe cases of psoriasis, including psoriatic arthritis, usually require medications or injections because topical treatments are ineffective. This can include vitamin A derivatives such as retinoids and immunosuppressive medications such as methotrexate that can inhibit the immune system. The downside to using drugs to treat psoriasis is the possibility of side effects.
Living With Psoriasis
Unfortunately, while psoriasis can go into remission and the symptoms can be managed with a variety of treatments, there is no known cure for the condition. Topical treatments, phototherapy and various medications can be used to provide relief from discomfort and pain, but these treatments cannot eliminate psoriasis. That being said, continuous research is being conducted to uncover treatments that are more effective and longer lasting.
If you’re applying emollients and moisturizers to reduce itching and dryness caused by psoriasis, choose skin care products that really work. Products that contain urea, as in La Roche Posay Iso Urea, can provide some relief. Further, if you’re relying upon direct sunlight for phototherapy, use an effective UVA/UVB blocking sunscreen such as Anthelios to help control the amount of exposure you have to UVA and UVB rays.
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