Stacy London of What Not To Wear fame has it. LeAnn Rimes has had it since she was age 2. Now, Kim Kardashian learned she has it, too. What they have affects 7.5 million Americans – psoriasis.
A noncontagious, chronic disease of the immune system, psoriasis most often appears as patches of raised, red skin covered by flaky, white buildup of dead skin cells. These patches, or plaques, usually appear on the scalp, knees, elbows and torso. They are often itchy and painful, and they can crack and bleed.
Psoriasis can strike at any age, although it commonly appears between the ages of 15 and 35. Approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of people with psoriasis get it before age 10.
Plaque psoriasis
Types
There are five types of psoriasis:
Plaque, the most common form of the disease, features patches of inflamed skin and covered by silvery, white scales
Guttate appears as small red spots on the skin.
Inverse occurs in armpits, groin and skin folds
Pustular appears as white blisters surrounded by red skin
Erythrodermic presents with intense redness over large areas
Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. It can be mild or severe, depending on how many joints are affected.
Psoriatic arthritis can develop at any time, but it most commonly appears between the ages of 30 and 50. Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis are critical to relieving pain and inflammation and helping to prevent progressive joint damage.
Cause and treatments
The cause of psoriasis is unknown and there is no cure. Most researchers agree that the immune system in people affected by psoriasis is somehow mistakenly triggered, which speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells. Triggers can include emotional stress, injury to the skin, smoking, some types of infection or a reaction to treatment with certain drugs.
A wide range of treatments can clear the rash, often for long periods of time, but no single psoriasis treatment works for everyone. Treatments include topical creams or ointments, phototherapy (exposure to ultraviolet light) and oral and injected medications. Some people find relief with alternative treatments such as acupuncture, dietary supplements and meditation.
Prescription and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective for many people with psoriatic arthritis in controlling swelling, pain and morning stiffness, and in improving range of motion to joints.
More information
August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month. To learn more about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and various support programs provided through the National Psoriasis Foundation, visit their website at www.psoriasis.org.
Photo Credit: Joël Kalumba
