Psoriasisis a chronic inflammatory skin disease. This is a genetic disease that manifests itself in the form of the formation of features on the patient's body: papules or plaques of pink-red color that are visible to the eye, the surface of which is scaly and covered with scales. The disease, as a rule, is accompanied by severe itching and pain, causing suffering to the patient, both physical and moral. The psoriasis rash can appear on any part of the body, but most often it is localized on the scalp, elbows and hands of the patient. Chronic psoriasis of the head in particular often causes moral discomfort to the patient, as it cannot be hidden under clothing.
What is the origin of the name of the disease "psoriasis"?
The name of the disease "psoriasis" comes from the Greek word - Psora - for scratching (-sya). Indeed, itching on the skin rough, scaly, silvery white, difficult to treat, is a typical picture of the manifestations of the disease.
Who is affected by this disease?
Diseases such as skin psoriasis affect about 3-5% of the population in different countries. Men and women - the same. Psoriasis can develop at any age, but it usually first appears around the age of 20, often earlier in women than men. However, the corporation Medical On Group has collected impressive statistics on the treatment of children and the elderly suffering from this disease.
In addition to heredity, psoriasis has the following causes:
- overactive skin cell division;
- pressure;
- decreased immunity after illness.
Answers to frequently asked questions
Is psoriasis contagious?
Common psoriasis vulgaris is a hereditary genetic disease accompanied by metabolic disorders, endocrine glands, lesions of the immune system. Psoriasis is not contagious! It is not an external infection, and there is no need to fear or shun people who are suffering from this.
Is it possible that children of parents with psoriasis will also develop the disease?
Since we are talking about hereditary, genetic diseases, there is such a probability, and it is quite high: if both parents suffer from psoriasis, then the children will get sick with this disease with a probability of about 33. 3%.
Is it good for sick people to spend as much time as possible in the sun?
It is generally accepted that sunlight in a certain amount contributes to the treatment of psoriasis, but in some cases, exposure to the sun, on the other hand, can exacerbate the process. In any case, before any medical procedure and if any changes in the condition of the skin are detected, it is recommended to consult a professional dermatologist.
What causes periodic outbreaks and decline in disease?
Experience shows that mental stress, stress and neurosis, unhealthy lifestyle and diet cause more severe manifestations of psoriasis. In addition, cases are not uncommon when the disease worsens more precisely in response to irrationally formulated treatment.
Does smoking, drinking alcohol affect the course of the disease?
Yes, it is. Smoking and drinking alcohol adversely affect the development of the disease, can contribute to increased manifestations of psoriasis.
Psoriasis treatment. Is it possible?
Hereditary psoriasis of the legs, arms or head is one of the most common but difficult skin diseases to treat. Psoriasis is characterized by scaly redness on the skin, the appearance of which is not caused by infection, but by increased cell division. In healthy people, complete renewal of skin cells occurs in almost a month, and in patients - seven times faster.
The severity of psoriasis can be caused by physical stress and fatigue, sores and wounds on the skin, streptococcal infections of the upper respiratory tract and reactions to medications. Unfortunately, it is impossible to protect yourself from all of this, which means medications have not been able to either prevent the onset of the disease or cure it completely. But to control the course of psoriasis, choosing an effective method of treating the symptoms, modern dermatologists are quite capable.
Can psoriasis be cured permanently?
Since we are talking about hereditary, genetic diseases, the treatment of psoriasis offered by modern medicine comes down to eliminating the external manifestations of the disease, clearing the patient's skin from rashes for a long time.