Can psoriasis be cured?
We often neglect most of the skin issues that occur, as we keep delaying the treatment by saying “effects of weather change” but what we don’t realize is that these minor skin problems can easily lead to certain skin diseases. One such common disease is Psoriasis, we might not be aware of the term, but when you go through this article, you will relate some of those skin issues that you carelessly ignore. So let’s start with the fundamental question.
What is psoriasis?
It’s a condition where the cell starts to develop rapidly on the skin. Mainly it is an autoimmune condition; the outgrowth of cells can lead to thickness, scaly plaques which causes itchiness and discomfort. Under these conditions, the patches can vary from small to large. It occurs in adults. But at times it can occur in children and teens too. These patches most often show up in areas like elbow, scalp, lower back, hands etc.
Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition, which at times can be embarrassing as it can be easily visible to others. But there are many available treatments to get rid of these conditions.
Is Psoriasis Contagious?
People are having a misconception about psoriasis that a person having the symptoms of psoriasis can spread to another person and so most of the people in the society try to avoid them. As a result, the patient feels ashamed of them and could not even consult with the doctors. But the fact is that psoriasis is not a contagious disorder
Psoriasis is a skin disorder that is non-contagious in nature, it means it cannot be transferred from an infected person to another person by means of touching. However, there are some skin disorders that are contagious like scabies or MRSA.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, it is not caused by any infectious agents.
What causes psoriasis?
If we note expert advice when the immune system reacts negatively causes the skin to act bloated and flaked these types of reactions are called psoriasis. But in a rare case, it can be a genetic disease.
Skin tends to act worse at times with these conditions, most usually the flare-ups and plaques are caused due to stress, dry climate, side-effects of certain medications. Psoriasis is not a contagious disease. Therefore it doesn’t spread from touch.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis?
The symptoms of psoriasis can show up in different ways. It can be mild, moderate or severe. In all these cases, the symptoms may vary. People with mild psoriasis tend to suffer only from small rashes at minimal areas. In case of extreme and moderate conditions, the skin gets bloated with red patches and scaling skin. Whereas, in severe cases, skin gets excessively tender and itchy.
At times it gets even worse when these patches get together and form an even larger patch that feels painful and uncomfortable.
Some of the common symptoms of psoriasis are:
- Red patches on the skin
- Color change in nails
- Soreness around patches
- Cracked dry skin that may bleed
- Painful and Swollen joints
- Itchy back
- Separation of the nail from the skin.
Symptoms of psoriasis can reminisce without treatment and return anytime. This condition is known as remission of psoriasis, it means at present you do not have any symptom but it can get back to you any time if not given proper care and proper attention
What are the types of psoriasis?
There are several types of psoriasis: let’s discuss all of these types
Plaque psoriasis
This condition shows inflamed skin, red blemishes, white scalp, blemishes on the elbow, knees, scalps etc. about 80-90% of the people who have psoriasis can be affected by this condition.
Inverse psoriasis
This type of psoriasis has red lesions, unlike plaque psoriasis that appears without scales. This condition is common in people dealing with heavy and deep folds in the skin. Psoriasis occurs in tender areas due to irritations caused by sweating, and rubbing can lead to worse effects.
Erythrodermic psoriasis
This is a rare type of psoriasis which causes large areas of fiery redness all over the body. Unstable plaque can convert to erythrodermic psoriasis; this kind of condition may lead to exfoliating and peeling of the skin.
Erythrodermic affects the body’s chemical balance, that eventually leads to protein and fluid loss, which further causes severe illness. Erythrodermic psoriasis can at times cause pneumonia and heart failure; the conditions have severe effects and can be dangerous.
Guttate psoriasis
This occurs most often in children or in late teenagers; this appears as red spots on the skin usually they are not thick or itchy as in any other types.
Pustular psoriasis
It is mainly seen in adults rather than in children. About 5% of the psoriasis cases are of this kind. Common symptoms of this condition are blisters with pus, white pustules etc. Mostly it appears on the hands and feet.
Risk factors
There are a few reasons that increase the risk of psoriasis. About one in every three persons who have close relatives suffering from this disease can also be affected by psoriasis. Among younger people, psoriasis occurs after an infection. The symptoms may get into notice after a few noticeable disorder that includes strep throat, bronchitis, and tonsillitis.
It is equally common in men and women and can begin at any age. But most often it shows up between the age of 15-35 years. About 10-15% of people develop psoriasis before the age of 10 years. The risk factors of psoriasis include
- Cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome
- Trauma to the skin
- Family history of these conditions
Diagnosis
There are no severe testing that confirm psoriasis; doctors can figure out the condition by the look and the rashes and patches that occur in the skin. Sometimes they can carry out skin biopsy to rule out other conditions like eczema.
Medications
Well, medication depends on the types of psoriasis that have developed, but specific remedies for mild psoriasis include:
- Coal tar: It helps in plaque psoriasis, itching, palms and soles.
- Hydrocortisone cream: It reduces inflammation.
- Anti-itch agent: It contains products on calamine, camphor etc.
Topical therapy
These include non-steroid and steroids in the treatments. This includes
- Corticosteroids
- Synthetic vitamin D
- Retinoid
Systemic therapy
It works for the whole body system and is often prescribed to people with moderate to severe psoriasis. This includes the following treatments.
- Biologics
- Methotrexate
- Cyclosporine
- Oral Retinoid
Off-label medications
At times doctors prescribed these kinds of treatments as the patient develops a particular type of condition which restricts specific medications. Off-label options include:
- Azathioprine
- Fumaric acid esters
- Hydroxyurea
- Tacrolimus
Psoriasis can be isolative and uncomfortable, but people can always manage it by keeping proper hygiene and taking adequate care of the immune system.
Can psoriasis be cured completely?
The answer to this question is “NO” There is no complete or permanent cure of psoriasis. However, these symptoms may be relieved in many ways including medications and derma products that are available in the market. Before using any derma products or treating psoriasis consult your dermatologist.
Opting for homoeopathy can also be a better option for treating the symptoms of psoriasis. According to the report published in “The Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” a medical journal, Patients with psoriasis who have undergone for homoeopathic treatment noticed significant improvement and reduction in the symptoms.
Summary
Psoriasis can be a threat to the body, and at times it gets even worse than one can imagine. Consulting the doctor immediately after noticing symptoms is always suggested. We hope that we have done justice to all the queries that one can have about psoriasis.
