Home
> Psoriasis Treatment
Psoriasis
Psoriasis still remains an enigma for patients and doctors alike.
Psoriasis is considered to be an immune-mediated, inconsistent, idiosyncratic
disorder that affects humans. The Romans in the days of Nero regarded
it as a type of leprosy, while the Greeks echoed it as Lepra and English
dermatologists in the late 18th century better clarified the skin
condition as particular types of leprosy, assigning names according
to appearance of the lesions – (a) leprosa graecorum and (b)
Psora leprosa. Be that as it may, Psoriasis is a chronic recurring
disease that affects the skin and joints of both the sexes, causing
red scaly patches to appear on the skin that are often inflamed,
causing irritation and discomfort. Called psoriatic plaques, these
soon become silvery-white in color where excessive skin growths
take place rapidly. Psoriatic plaques are usually found in the arms,
elbows and knees, and can also rise up in the scalp and the genitals.
The severity of the disease varies from localized patches to total
body coverage including fingernails and toenails that are termed
psoriatic nail dystrophy. When Psoriasis affects the joints, causing
inflammation and pain, it becomes known as psoriatic arthritis.
Luckily, the disease is neither contagious nor is it sexually transmitted.
There are many known types including guttate psoriasis, psoriatic
arthritis, inverse psoriasis and plaque psoriasis, to name a few.
Though the causes of psoriasis still remain unknown. Some researchers
believe the cause to be genetic and auto immune related, where the
skin cells send signals for skin to grow too fast, and it accumulates
on the surface. What is know is that there are some factors that
can aggravate the condition which have been identified. Unwarranted
alcohol consumption, excessive stress and chain smoking are believed
to heighten the discomforts of psoriatic patients. Some other factors
include abnormal sexual practices and overconsumption of tinned
meat products.
Though psoriasis is a not a very serious disease and is non-fatal,
it can leave a discolored rash on the skin of the patient. And when
the rashes are are on direct, exposed portions of the skin, they
become aggravated, making psoriasis treatment necessary. If left
untreated, the condition can deteriorate to the point where where
the rashes may spread to other body parts. Once you see Psoriasis
symptoms such as plaques, it is advised to seek medical help and
treatment from a Physican.
Psoriasis Treatment
Treatment for Psoriasis - or rather treatment of the symptoms -
can take various forms, depending on the severity of the case, constitution
of the patient, age, sex and other factors. However, it is important
to know that it is a lifelong condition and presently there is no
cure for psoriasis. However, with careful treatment, prevention
and health lifestyles, the symptoms of psoriasis can be limited.
Common Treatments
(a) Topical creams, ointments, essential oils, baths to provide
relief;
(b) Phototherapy with ultra violet light source, particularly with
narrowband UVB (311 – 312 nm); (c) Photochemotherapy with
PUVA < Psoralen + ultraviolet >,
(d) Systemic treatment with oral medications or injections of high
toxic level
(e) Climatotherapy practiced in areas that are congenial to such
treatments like the Dead Sea where the condition responds rapidly
to treatments
(f) Fish treatments provided in Turkey where a particular kind of
fish preserved in specially appointed pools is encouraged to nibble
at the skin of psoriatic affected skin of patients.
|