| |
|
|
|
 |
|
Psoriasis
 Psoriasis is a chronic, genetic, non-contagious skin
disorder that appears in many different forms and can affect any part of the
body, including the nails and scalp. Psoriasis is categorized as mild,
moderate, or severe, depending on the percentage of body surface involved
and the impact on the patient's quality of life (QoL). Psoriasis may be one
of several types: plaque psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic
psoriasis, guttate psoriasis or inverse psoriasis. A dermatologist can help
you to determine what type of psoriasis you may have. Treatment
Because psoriasis is a chronic skin condition, it requires long-term
treatment for each flare-up. While psoriasis is not curable, it is
treatable. Successful treatment usually provides significant temporary
relief and sometimes clearing of the plaques entirely.Who gets psoriasis?
Psoriasis occurs in both children and adults and may appear at
any age, although it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35.
Both men and women of any race may be affected.
What causes psoriasis?
The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown; however, researchers
suspect that whether a person develops psoriasis or not may depend on a
"trigger." Possible psoriasis triggers include emotional stress, skin injury,
systemic infections, and certain medications. Studies have also indicated that a
person is born genetically predisposed to psoriasis, and multiple genes have
been discovered over the past 5 years confirming this fact. Even so, not
everyone with psoriasis will
What treatment are available?
Treatments for psoriasis are topical (applied to the skin),
systemic (taken internally), or a form of phototherapy (ultraviolet light
applied to the skin). The most effective treatments are those prescribed by the
physician and not available without a prescription. One treatment that is often
effective, and is available without prescription and without cost, is sunlight.
However, a dermatologist should recommend the safe and effective use of sunlight
for the individual patient.
Topical agents include:
 | Anthralin |
| Coal tar |
| Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) |
| Vitamin D derivatives |
| Steroids |
Systemic agents include:
| Antimetabolite drugs (methotrexate) |
| Immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory drugs (cyclosporin,
tacrolimus) |
| Systemic retinoids—acitretin, isotretinoin
|
Phototherapy includes:
| Sunlight |
| Photo-chemotherapy—PUVA |
| Phototherapy—ultraviolet light |
What effect does the sun have on psoriasis?
Natural sunlight can have a positive effect on psoriasis. The
long-known benefits of sunlight provided the basis for the development of
ultraviolet light therapy for treating psoriasis and others skin diseases.
However, you should never get enough sun exposure to turn your skin red or cause
a sunburn, which can actually cause psoriasis to flare-up and worsen.
|
| |
Dmitry
Khasak, M.D.
Board-Certified Dermatologist and a member of the Intense Pulsed Light
Education Institute, and the American Academy of Dermatology.
Graduated from Columbia
Presbyterian Hospital in New York and Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.
|
