Each year, August serves as Psoriasis Awareness Month to promote the education and awareness of this disease to the public. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that’s often recognized for its patches of scaly, red skin. This occurs because it initiates a rapid buildup of skin cells. This scaliness generally appears whitish to silver in color and may eventually start to crack and bleed. Flare-ups and periods of remission are likely to occur with this disease. Most flare-ups typically happen in response to stress or certain medications.
Signs of psoriasis include:
Psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease in the United States, affecting 7.5 million Americans. Worldwide, this number jumps to 125 million individuals. There are eight different types of psoriasis including plaque psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, nail psoriasis, and inverse psoriasis. Less than three percent of individuals diagnosed may develop erythrodermic psoriasis, which is a severe form that affects the entire body and can potentially be life threatening. This type of flare-up requires individuals to seek immediate medical attention.
Psoriasis is more than just an aesthetic concern, as it may cause intense itching, pain and even psychological problems in some individuals. One out of three individuals with psoriasis will also develop psoriatic arthritis, which is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints and tendons. Psoriatic arthritis can affect any part of the body and can range from mild to severe. Without proper treatment, psoriatic arthritis can lead to impairment.
Psoriasis is a genetic disease, and therefore is not contagious. However, the exact cause of this disease still remains unknown. If one of your parents has psoriasis, you are 10 percent more likely to get psoriasis as well. If both of your parents have the disease, you are more than 50 percent as likely to have it. Bacterial or viral infections may also be considered risk factors. Children with a weakened immune system from fighting off recurring infections are also at a higher risk. Smokers are also considered to be at higher risk and smoking may worsen the condition if an individual already has it.
There is no known cure for psoriasis, but pairing up with Eastern Dermatology & Pathology will help you find the right treatment plan to raise your quality of life and return to your confident self! Make sure to promote awareness of this disease all month long by sharing this article on Facebook, volunteering, donating or supporting a loved one that is affected by this disease.
Sources:
Each year, August serves as Psoriasis Awareness Month to promote the education and awareness of this disease to the public. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that’s often recognized for its patches of scaly, red skin. This occurs because it initiates a rapid buildup of skin cells. This scaliness generally appears whitish to silver in color and may eventually start to crack and bleed. Flare-ups and periods of remission are likely to occur with this disease. Most flare-ups typically happen in response to stress or certain medications.
Signs of psoriasis include:
Psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease in the United States, affecting 7.5 million Americans. Worldwide, this number jumps to 125 million individuals. There are eight different types of psoriasis including plaque psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, nail psoriasis, and inverse psoriasis. Less than three percent of individuals diagnosed may develop erythrodermic psoriasis, which is a severe form that affects the entire body and can potentially be life threatening. This type of flare-up requires individuals to seek immediate medical attention.
Psoriasis is more than just an aesthetic concern, as it may cause intense itching, pain and even psychological problems in some individuals. One out of three individuals with psoriasis will also develop psoriatic arthritis, which is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints and tendons. Psoriatic arthritis can affect any part of the body and can range from mild to severe. Without proper treatment, psoriatic arthritis can lead to impairment.
Psoriasis is a genetic disease, and therefore is not contagious. However, the exact cause of this disease still remains unknown. If one of your parents has psoriasis, you are 10 percent more likely to get psoriasis as well. If both of your parents have the disease, you are more than 50 percent as likely to have it. Bacterial or viral infections may also be considered risk factors. Children with a weakened immune system from fighting off recurring infections are also at a higher risk. Smokers are also considered to be at higher risk and smoking may worsen the condition if an individual already has it.
There is no known cure for psoriasis, but pairing up with Eastern Dermatology & Pathology will help you find the right treatment plan to raise your quality of life and return to your confident self! Make sure to promote awareness of this disease all month long by sharing this article on Facebook, volunteering, donating or supporting a loved one that is affected by this disease.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/facts-statistics-infographic#causes
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355840