- 7 things to avoid if you suffer from psoriasis
According to the National Association of psoriasis, psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease in the United States affecting up to 7.5 million Americans. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes the skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting thick spots, white, silver or red skin.
Normally, skin cells grow gradually and flake off about every 4 weeks. New skin cells grow to replace the outer layers of the skin as they lose. In the case of psoriasis, new skin cells move rapidly to the surface of the skin in days rather than weeks. They accumulate and form thick patches called plaques.
patches vary in size and appear most often on the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet or lower back. Psoriasis is most common in adults, but children and teens can get too.
The good news is Psoriasis is not contagious .
A dermatologist may be better suited to provide a correct diagnosis, as psoriasis may be confused with other skin diseases such as eczema.
What to avoid if you suffer from psoriasis
- skin lesion. an injury to the skin can cause psoriasis patches to form anywhere on the body, including the site of the injury. This includes injuries to your nails or nearby skin while reducing your nails.
- The stress and anxiety. Stress can cause psoriasis to appear suddenly (flare) or can make symptoms worse.
- infection. infections such as strep throat can cause psoriasis to appear suddenly, especially in children.
- Some medications. Some drugs, such as anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta-blockers, and lithium, have been found to make psoriasis symptoms worse. Discuss with your doctor. You may be able to take a different medicine.
- Overexposure to sunlight. Short periods of sun exposure reduce psoriasis in most people, but too much sun can damage the skin and cause skin cancer. Sunburn can trigger flare-ups.
- alcohol. Alcohol use can cause symptoms to flare up.
- smoking. Smoking can worsen psoriasis. If you smoke, try to quit.
The treatment of psoriasis
The treatment of psoriasis usually depends on the extent of the disease or its severity and location. Treatments range of creams and ointments applied to the affected areas to ultraviolet light therapy to treatment with drugs (such as methotrexate).
Psoriasis can be associated with serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and depression. Treatment of psoriasis in women may require additional considerations; if you plan to become pregnant or nursing, discuss your treatment options with your doctor or dermatologist.
Smoking can worsen psoriasis. If you smoke, try to quit.
According to recent studies, scientists estimate that at least 10 percent of the general population inherits one or more of the genes that create a predisposition to psoriasis. However, only 2 to 3 percent of the population develops the disease.
Researchers believe that for a person to develop psoriasis, the individual must have a combination of the genes that cause psoriasis and be exposed to specific external factors known as "triggers".
Sources: Centers for National Psoriasis Foundation Disease Control and Prevention, LifeWork EAP strategies and Adventist HealthCare. For medical advice, consult your doctor.
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