�Psoriasis is a inveterate disease of the immune system that affects the skin. As many as 7.5 million Americans suffer from psoriasis, according to the National Institutes of Health. Unlike early diseases of the immune system which affect women more oftentimes than work force, psoriasis occurs about evenly in work force and women.
Psoriasis is non contagious and cannot be spread from person to person. There are basketball team known forms of the disease. "The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silver white buildup of dead skin cells called scale," explains Bruce F. Bebo, Jr., Ph.D., director of research and medical programs at the National Psoriasis Foundation in Portland, Ore.
For some people, psoriasis can buoy be a nuisance, for others, it can be debilitating. The symptoms motley from person to somebody and tin include:
-- Red, itchy patches of skin that are covered with silver-colored scales.
-- Dry, nettled or cracked skin that can bleed when scratched.
-- Disorders of the fingernails or toenails including thickened or ridged nails. The nails can become brittle and in some cases, detach from the nail beds.
Most cases of psoriasis wax and wane and include flare-ups which last for a few weeks to months. Some people will go into remission for months to years. But in about cases, the psoriasis volition reappear.
Psoriasis bathroom also principal to psoriatic arthritis, which can suit pain and swelling in the joints. Roughly one-tenth to one-third of people with psoriasis will likewise have psoriatic arthritis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriatic arthritis throne lead to joint wearing and fix in the way of daily functioning.
Although it affects both genders equally, recent studies designate that there may be a racial or cultural link. "It seems that psoriasis is most common in Caucasians and slightly less vernacular in African Americans. Worldwide, psoriasis is most common in Scandinavia and other parts of northern Europe. It appears to be far less common among Asians and is rare in Native Americans," Bebo points out.
Research has identified some differences between the sexes in psoriasis related to to smoking and alcohol consumption.
Smoking increases the endangerment of development psoriasis and can make the disease more severe, especially in women, merely the risk of infection goes down if you stop smoking. Alcohol appears to move psoriasis in men more strongly than in women. Researchers don't know why, but alcoholic beverage consumption appears to be a danger factor for psoriasis in men just not women and it may lower treatment reaction in men.
The cause of psoriasis isn't fully gain. The disease is related to a malfunction in the resistant system, which results in T-cells assaultive healthy skin cells. What triggers the T-cell malfunction isn't known, but many researchers cite genetic and environmental factors as possibilities. The to the highest degree noteworthy jeopardy factor for psoriasis is family history. Roughly 30 percent of people with psoriasis have a close relative with the disease.
Diagnosing psoriasis is often done in a doctor's place. "No particular blood tests or diagnostic tools exist to diagnose psoriasis. The physician or other health care supplier usually examines the affected skin and decides if it is from psoriasis. Less ofttimes, the physician examines a piece of skin (biopsy) under the microscope," explains Bebo.
There are several therapies for psoriasis available to patients, which focus on reducing peel inflammation and plaque formation. Looking to the future, there are "a number of new treatments in the psoriasis pipeline," Bebo said, which may help reduce the burden of this chronic and disabling disease. The types of treatments in development include biologics, monoclonal antibody antibodies and immune system modulators.
Women with psoriasis world Health Organization are meaning, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding should talk about carefully with their doctors their treatment options, as some treatments for psoriasis may crusade birth defects. There is, however, some good news for pregnant women. Research has shown that hormonal changes during pregnancy english hawthorn lead to improvements in psoriasis symptoms, providing impermanent relief.
August is Psoriasis Awareness Month. For more info, you can visit the National Psoriasis Foundation on-line at hypertext transfer protocol://www.psoriasis.org.
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