Information About Psoriasis For The Newly Diagnosed
You just received the diagnosis of psoriasis and you have a million questions regarding your skin condition. Your doctor or the nurse at the office may have answered your immediate questions and possibly handed you a brochure containing more information. You may have browsed through the brochure only to find more questions popping up in your mind about everything from caring for your skin to how to prevent future breakouts of your psoriasis. You will soon find many resources in your neighborhood and online that will give you current information about how to daily care for your skin. Joining a local support group or finding one to join online can also give you up-to-date information about psoriasis. Reading articles such as this one, and then printing it out can also give you a handy guide to follow everyday.
How do I pronounce what I have?
Psoriasis is pronounced like you are saying "SORE" then the word "EYE", the expression "AH", and then the name for a sister, "SIS".
The skin disease psoriasis is not contagious. No one else can get it by touching you. Although, it is not contagious, approximately 7.5 million Americans have the disease. Researchers believe that there is a genetic component to the disease, which is one explanation for why so many individuals have it. As many as 30% of those with psoriasis can develop psoriatic arthritis a form of psoriasis in which the individual also has pain, stiffness and swelling in or around their joints.
Individuals can be overwhelmed with the news that they have psoriasis because the skin disease can seem complex. The disease is chronic, which means it is long-term. You will always have psoriasis. The disease does vary from person to person; so if you know others with it they may have a different severity then you do or respond to treatments differently than you do. The majority of individuals diagnosed with psoriasis have the mild form of it. Psoriasis will not necessarily worsen with time because it is not a progressive disease.
You may have any of the five different types of psoriasis. Psoriasis can occur anywhere on your body. The five types of psoriasis are: erythrodermic, guttate, inverse, plaque and pustular.
Erthrodermic psoriasis is characterized by an intense redness that spreads over large areas of your body.
The small red spots on your skin characterize guttate psoriasis.
Inverse psoriasis occurs mainly in the armpits, groin and various skin folds of your body.
Plaque psoriasis is the most commonly occurring form of the skin disease.
The white blister characterizes pustular psoriasis like red bumps that form over reddened skin.
You can have scalp psoriasis, genital psoriasis, psoriasis on your face and around your eyes, ears, mouth and nose. You can have psoriasis on your hands and feet and even on your nails.
Caring for your skin:
Every day may be a new skincare challenge for you when you have psoriasis. Knowing what products to use can help you save time and prevent skin irritation.
A good rule of thumb is to always check with your dermatologist before trying any over-the-counter skin product.
Any moisturizer will give moisture to your skin. What you want to avoid is anything else that the product is putting on your skin. Moist skin that is lubricated and flexible is not going to crack or be traumatized which can lead to irritation and psoriasis. The right moisturizer will soften, soothe and reduce any signs of redness. It may also remove scales and relieve itching.
Read labels when choosing a moisturizer to be sure it has the right amounts of emollients and water-binding agents. Look for one that also contains sunscreen, anti-irritants, and antioxidants.
Moisturizers come in creams, lotions or ointments; choose the one that is right for you.
Avoid any skin cleanser that contains alcohol. Check with your dermatologist for approved cleansers.
