 Psoriasis
is a persistent, inflammatory
condition of the skin. It is not
contagious, but it is a hereditary
condition that can be passed on
from generation to generation.
While the exact cause of this
skin condition is unknown, it
is believed to be an immune system
disorder of over-active T-cells.
Triggers usually cause psoriasis
to appear or flare: these include
injury to the skin (such as a
cut, scrape, sunburn), cold, dry
weather, infections, and certain
medications.
There are five main types of
psoriasis:
-
Plaque, which is the most
common form, appearing on
the knees, elbows, scalp,
lower back, as well as other
places on the skin, and appears
as patches or raised, reddish,
scaly skin;
-
Guttate, which appears as
small red spots, typically
affecting children and young
adults, and usually occurs
after a sore throat;
-
Pustular, which appears
as white pustules surrounded
by red skin, is usually located
on the palms of the hands
and soles of the feet;
-
Inverse, which appears as
smooth, red lesions in the
folds of the skin such as
in the armpit area, breast
areas, buttocks, genital area,
and around the groin; and
-
Erythrodermic, which causes
widespread redness, pain,
and severe itching.
Psoriasis cannot be cured, but
it can be effectively treated
and controlled. There are a number
of treatment methods including
the use of
-
Topical creams and solutions,
light therapy and systemic
therapy, corticosteroids,
anthralin, calcipotriene,
retinoids, and coal tar are
some of the topical products
used to treat this condition.
-
Biologic medications (i.e.
Embrel, Raptiva, Humira) are
the latest agents available
in the treatment of psoriasis;
these drugs target only the
specific part of the immune
system responsible for psoriasis
(i.e. TNF-alpha) instead of
suppressing the entire immune
system.
-
Systemic treatments (i.e.
methotrexate, cyclosporine),
which suppresses the entire
immune system, are also effective.
These treatments are used
for patients with very severe
cases that cannot be controlled
with other medications. Close
monitoring is required due
to the potential of serious
side effects.
Please visit www.npf.org for
more information on psoriasis
and its treatment.
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