What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis
is a skin disease that usually contains raised, red patches covered with a build-up
of dead skin cells. There are different forms of psoriasis (including
plaque,
guttate,
inverse,
pustular
and
erythrodermic). Psoriasis can also affect different areas of
the body (including
scalp psoriasis,
psoriasis
on the face, psoriasis on the hands and feet and psoriasis of the nails).
Psoriasis
is often seen as red elevated plaques with silvery scales at various sites of the
body. Most often you will see psoriasis on the elbows, knees and scalp, but psoriasis
can appear anywhere on the body. Severity can vary greatly. Psoriasis affects about
2 – 3% of the people in a country, and psoriasis is equally common in men and women.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis vulgaris?
Psoriasis vulgaris is the most common form. The first signs of
an outbreak are red spots or patches. the patches grow bigger and become scaly.
the upper scales fall off in large quantities, while the lower layers of scales
are firmly fixed. when the scales are scraped off, a number of small, bleeding points
can be seen underneath.
What Causes Psoriasis?
The exact cause of psoriasis is not known, but it is believed to be a genetic condition.
Some of the triggers that can cause psoriasis are:
- Vaccinations
- Sunburn
- Scratches
- Weather
- Diet
- Allergie
- Stress
- Injury to the skin
- Infection
- Reaction to drugs
What age it can start?
Research shows that the signs and symptoms of psoriasis usually appear between 15
and 35 years of age. About 75% develop psoriasis before age 40. However, it is possible
to develop psoriasis at any age.
What does it look like?
It appears as raised red patches of skin covered with silvery scales. It can occur
on any part of the body although elbows, knees and the scalp are usual sites. There
is often accompanying irritation.
Is it catching?
Most definitely not.
Psoriasis cannot be caught from other people nor can it be transferred
from one part of the body to another.
Does psoriasis affect the normal life of the sufferer?
For the most part, people with psoriasis function normally. Psoriasis is often misunderstood
by the public, which can make social interactions difficult. Sometimes people experience
low self-esteem because of the psoriasis. This may lead to emotional reactions such
as anxiety, anger, embarrassment and depression. Psoriasis can affect the type of
work people do if it is visible.
What are some known facts about Psoriasis?
-
Psoriasis is a common, chronic, inflammatory skin disease,
- The cause of Psoriasis is unknown.
- It is usually found on the scalp, elbows, knees, chest and
the lower back.
- It is rarity to find Psoriasis on the face and it can spread by
irritation.
The main problem is that the skin grows too rapidly in some places on the body,
forming a silvery scale over thick patches which become inflamed and red. The scalp
is badly affected and the scaling gives rise to hard lumps and very flaky dandruff.
Patches of Psoriasis develop over areas where the skin is frequently knocked or
has been injured in grazes, cuts and operation scars.
Ayurvedic view about Psoriasis...
Psoriasis
is caused by vitiation of vata and kapha dosha. The vitiated doshas affect the skin
and blood tissues. They also influence water element of the affected region on skin.
Thus the skin which is influenced by affected doshas becomes discolored (white or
copper colored), scaly and thin.