09/06/2016
Psoriasis Facts:
1. What is Psoriasis?
Ans. Psoriasis is a chronic, lifelong skin disease characterized skin with white scales, redness, Swelling and itching or pain. It appears without a trigger or warning in the teens to 30's (for most people) and waxes and wanes in severity for life.
2. Causes for Psoriasis?
Ans. The exact cause of psoriasis is still unknown. Two process rapid skin growth and inflammation combine to cause the skin changes that lead to Psoriasis.
3. Commonalities of Psoriasis?
Ans. Prevalence of psoriasis varies in different parts of the world. According to published reports, Prevalence in different populations varies from 0% to 11.8%. From most of the data given, the range extends from around 0.5% to close to 2.5% in India.
4. Who gets Psoriasis?
Ans. Any person can develop Psoriasis. This common skin condition affects people from all ethnicities and also those with other skin diseases. For most people, psoriasis is diagnosed in their teens or 20’s. Men and women are equally affected.
5. How is Psoriasis diagnosed?
Ans. Psoriasis is often diagnosed by a dermatologist or primary care physician by its characteristic appearance and locations on the body. If a person has skin changes typical of Psoriasis, diagnosis can be made clinically by examination alone. Based on this skin’s appearance due to psoriasis, Physician will usually be able to diagnose psoriasis and begin treating the patients immediately.
6. Is Psoriasis contagious?
Ans. One of the most common mix conception about Psoriasis is that it is a contagious disease. Much of the uncertainty and fear people experience when seeing psoriasis for the first time comes from a fear of “catching it”. Psoriasis is not contagious and has no infectious component.
7. What causes Psoriasis to get worse?
Ans. The cause of Psoriasis is different in each person. Some people find that their psoriasis is cyclical (following Seasons of the year or other events), and others find all disease unremitting and constant over time. On some individuals the skin may worsen, at certain times. Although every person’s skin reacts differently, Exacerbating factors including changes in medications and stress are common among many patients.
8. How does someone know whether or she has Psoriasis?
Ans. Psoriasis is usually diagnosed by a general practitioner or dermatologist. It is most often a clinical diagnosis, meaning that the physical examination findings alone make the diagnosis clear. In different people, Psoriasis tends to show similar skin changes, Such as redness, thick skin, scaling, Itching and pain and appearance in bilateral areas of elbows, Knees. and scalp in few others) When the clinical diagnosis is clear, a person will often need no laboratory tests. There are no blood tests needed to diagnose psoriasis, however blood tests may be used to monitor medication or to check for joints disease activity.
9. What information should I take to the first meeting with my dermatologist?
Ans. At your first visit to a dermatologist the doctor would want to review your skin history, Medical and surgical history and family history and conduct a careful skin examination.
10. Are there different types of Psoriasis?
Ans. There are different types of Psoriasis, However the most common type is plaque Psoriasis, also called Psoriasis Vulgaris. The majority of psoriasis studies focus on patients with plaque psoriasis, but most therapies will work for all types of psoriasis to some extent, some may have overlapping forms or a type may evolve from one form to another over a period of time.
11. Is Psoriasis genetic? Will I get it to my children or will I get if a relative has the disease?
Ans. Psoriasis is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environment. Although several genes have been associated with an increased risk of Psoriasis, the significance of any one gene in the development of psoriasis is not known.
12. Is Psoriasis stable or does it fluctuate ?
Ans. Psoriasis does not have a predictable course, so it is impossible to predict whether a particular person will improve or worsen over time. For people with known triggers that exacerbate their diseases exposure to these factors, Such as stress, many predict worsening, while reduction of these trigger could predict stabilization or improvement.
13. Will eating or avoiding certain foods help Psoriasis?
Ans. There is no universal diet that has been shown to make psoriasis predictably better or worse. However, many individuals report that a link exists for them between psoriasis severity and diet. Many people will try different diets and overtimes, find one that works well for them.
14. Do children get Psoriasis, and does it go away ?
Ans. Yes, children can get Psoriasis, although, Psoriasis is less common in children and may appear differently than in adults. Among adults with Psoriasis, 30% to 45% observe the onset of their disease before age 20. Psoriasis is slightly more common in boys than in girls, and almost 70% of children. Who get Psoriasis have family members with Psoriasis. For reasons that are unclear, Psoriasis often first appears in the fall.
15. How can I decide which treatment is best for me?
Ans. Work with your doctor and start with the treatment that the doctor recommends for your specific condition, Depending on the severity of your disease and your overall health status. Do regularly follow up with your doctor and ensure to continue the treatment for its entire recommended course.
By Dr.Uma Chakravadhanula D.D.V.,
Senior Consultant Dermatovenerologist & Cosmetic Specialist at Rays Hospital.
