What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition which causes unique signs and symptoms to its sufferers. Between 10% and 30% of people who develop psoriasis develop a related form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis which causes inflammation of the joints. People often experience flares and remissions throughout their life and controlling the symptoms potentially requires lifelong therapy. Regardless of the type, psoriasis usually causes discomfort as the skin often itches and may crack and bleed. In severe causes of psoriasis the itching and discomfort may keep a person awake at night and may make everyday tasks more challenging.
More than 4 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with psoriasis and over 150,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. Psoriasis occurs equally between men and women and recent studies have shown that there may be an ethnic link to the cause. Studies show that psoriasis is most common in Caucasians and less common in African Americans and even far less common among Asians and Native Americans. There is also a genetic component associated with psoriasis as most people who develop the disease have at least one family member with the condition. Signs and symptoms of psoriasis typically appear between the ages of 15 and 35 years of age and often develop before the age of 40. Regardless, it is possible to develop psoriasis at any age.
Psoriasis is considered to be one of the oldest recorded skin conditions. Scientists do not fully understand what causes psoriasis regardless of advanced research advancing the understanding of the disease. Researchers do believe that psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition which means the condition is caused by faulty signals within the body’s immune system. It is believed that psoriasis develops when the immune system tells the body to overreact and accelerate the growth of skin cells. When psoriasis develops, the skin cells mature in 3 to 6 days. They then move up to the skin surface. Rather than being shed, the skin cells pile up which causes visible lesions.
Researchers have identified genes which cause psoriasis. These genes determine how a person’s immune system reacts and may either cause psoriasis or another immune-mediated condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Risks of developing psoriasis or another immune-mediated condition increase when a close blood relative also has psoriasis. Some people who have a family history of psoriasis never develop this condition. However, stress, skin injuries, a strep infection, sunburn or certain medications may trigger psoriasis.
All types of psoriasis, whether mild or severe, can affect a person’s quality of life. This lifelong condition can be both physically and emotionally challenging. Itching, soreness, and cracked bleeding skin are quite common with psoriasis. Studies have shown that people with psoriasis often feel frustrated as the disease may limit activities or make it difficult to perform certain job responsibilities. Over 20% of people living with mild to severe psoriasis have been forced to change or discontinue their normal daily activities. With the emergence of several new therapies more people are experiencing substantial improvements and reporting an improved quality of life.
