What You Need to Know About Psoriasis

Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It has several functions, including protecting you from bacteria and germs, helping regulate your temperature, and enabling you to sense your surroundings through touch.

Like other organs, your skin can sometimes develop problems, such as acne, eczema, and warts. The symptoms of skin conditions are often visible and can be embarrassing.

One of the most noticeable skin problems is psoriasis. Thick, raised patches of discolored skin may occur, along with pustules or blisters. These patches can itch or burn.

In addition to physical symptoms, psoriasis can also affect a person’s mental health. People with psoriasis may feel anxious or stressed and become depressed. They may feel isolated or shun socializing because of their skin’s appearance.

To help you understand what psoriasis is and how to deal with it, we’ll break down its causes, symptoms, and possible treatments.

What Causes Psoriasis?

The causes of psoriasis aren’t clear. It’s an autoimmune disease, where the immune system mistakenly attacks other parts of the body. Psoriasis causes the immune system to speed up skin cell growth. Instead of shedding off like they normally do, skin cells stack up on the surface, resulting in reddish, scaly lesions known as plaques. Psoriasis is not contagious—you can’t get it from someone who has it.

Genetics may influence the development of psoriasis. The disease can be triggered by several factors, including:

• Stress
• Skin injury, such as scratches, sunburn, or insect bites
• Illness and infection, like strep throat
• Weather (exposure to hot or cold temperatures, or low humidity levels)
• Allergies

Symptoms of Psoriasis

Psoriasis can start at any age but often begins between the ages of 15 and 25. Symptoms can include:

• Red, brown, or purple patches of skin
• Thick, raised patches of skin
• Itching, burning, or soreness
• Pustules or blisters
• Dry skin that cracks and bleeds
• Flaking of dead skin
• Changes to nails

Small bumps on the skin are an early sign of psoriasis. As the bumps grow, scales will begin to form on top of them. Larger lesions will then develop.

Symptoms may flare up for a few weeks or months and then subside for a while. Psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body, but common locations include:

• Elbows
• Face
• Feet
• Hands
• Knees
• Scalp

Inflammation is a common symptom of psoriasis, and this can affect other organs in the body. About a third of the people who have psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints.

How Can Psoriasis Be Treated?

There is no cure for psoriasis, but several treatments are available. If you think you may have psoriasis, it’s important to see your primary care provider. They may refer you to a dermatologist—a doctor who specializes in skin diseases.

Treatments for psoriasis include:

• Steroid creams that reduce inflammation
• Moisturizers for dry skin
• Medication that slows down skin cell production
• Vitamin D3 ointment to reduce skin cell growth and remove scales
• Vitamin A or retinol creams to reduce plaque thickness and redness

If the above treatments don’t work, your healthcare provider may recommend additional treatments, such as:

• Light therapy
• PUVA, which combines medication with exposure to ultraviolet light
• Immune therapy to block the body’s immune system
• Methotrexate, a drug that slows down the growth of skin cells
• Cyclosporine, a drug given by infusion to slow down the immune system

Because psoriasis can sometimes go through cycles, it’s important to understand what triggers a flare-up. You can do this by keeping track of your flare-ups and noting what was happening before they occurred. Several apps are available to help you track and monitor your psoriasis.

Once you’ve identified potential triggers, try to avoid them. For example, if stress triggers your psoriasis, learn how to recognize and manage stress.

Can Psoriasis Be Prevented?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to prevent psoriasis. You can lower your risk of developing psoriasis by living a healthy lifestyle, including eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and not smoking. Taking good care of your skin can also be beneficial. Check out our blog for tips on keeping your skin healthy.