Itchy, Scaly Skin - Psoriasis?

Living with Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes the skin to become thick, scaly, and red (inflamed). It affects more than 5 million adults or more than 3% of the United States population. The condition can occur at any age but it commonly affects adults.

People with psoriasis have patches of thick, red (inflamed) skin covered with silvery scales that usually appears on their elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet. Sometimes, the condition can also affect the fingernails, toenails, genitals and the inside of the mouth. Symptoms of psoriasis often come and go. Sometimes, other factors may make the condition worse including stress, dry skin, infections and certain medications.

Psoriasis can be not only painful but also embarrassing. "Psoriasis can be socially isolating for many people," says Dr. Joel Gelfand, a psoriasis researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. "Often, people can become depressed."

Causes

Psoriasis occurs because of an overactive immune system. In people with psoriasis, their immune system becomes overactive causing inflammation and rapid turnover of skin cells.

Skin cells normally take about a month to grow deep in the skin and then rise to the skin surface. However, in psoriasis, the cells rapidly move to the surface of the skin in a mtter of days even before becoming mature. The new cells and existing cells all pile up on the surface of the skin. The result is redness, irritation and discomfort.

Genes may also play a role in the occurrence of the disease. In many cases, there is a family history of psoriasis.

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

Sometimes, it may be difficult to diagnose psoriasis because the disease looks like other skin diseases. The doctor may recommend examination of a small sample of the skin to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment for psoriasis may vary from person to person. The doctor may use a trial-and-error approach to find a psoriasis treatment that works including topical treatment, light therapy, medications, or combination therapy, and psychological support.

Topical Treatments. Ointments or creams applied directly to the skin. These include corticosteroids, vitamin D3, retinoids, coal tar or anthralin.

Light Therapy or Phototherapy. Both natural light from the sun and artificial ultraviolet light can reduce symptoms. Light therapy should be administered by a doctor, since spending time in the sun or a tanning bed can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Medical Treatment. Doctors may prescribe systemic treatment—medicines taken by pill or injection.

Combination Therapy. Combining different treatments can prove more effective.

Psychological Support. People with moderate to severe psoriasis may benefit from counseling or a support group.
***Treatment adapted from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/Aug2010/Feature2

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