Find the most relevant information about what is psoriasis, symptoms and treatment measures.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the immune system. A person suffering from this disease generally has raised red skin patches and thick silvery scales around it. The affected skin area becomes red and scaly or pustules are formed depending on the types of psoriasis one is suffering from.
Psoriasis generally occurs on the arms, legs, trunk, nails and on scalp. However, it can occur in any part of the skin, but the most commonly affected regions are the knees and elbows.
There are five types of psoriasis:
· Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris)
· Guttate psoriasis
· Inverse psoriasis
· Pustular psoriasis
· Erythrodermic psoriasis
Causes of Psoriasis
In the past, it was considered as only a skin disease, but after long research it has been found that psoriasis is an inflammatory disease of the immune system. Research study reveals that disease appears when the body immune system (the natural defense system against bacteria, virus and other foreign invaders) is activated, which results in the acceleration of the skin cell cycle. And as a result, skin cell accumulates on the surface, but researchers are still unsure whether heredity, environmental factors also play the role or not.
Many people ask whether psoriasis is contagious or not. It is important to mention that it is not an infection and therefore, it is not contagious. So, touching the psoriasis affected area and then the normal skin will not transmit psoriasis. However, it can be infectious, if there are cuts in the skin.
As mentioned above, the body immune system plays a major role in psoriasis. The immune system consists of T cells (it is a type of white blood cells). In psoriasis, the T cells unusually trigger inflammation of the skin. In addition, these T cells also trigger skin cells to divide faster and therefore, it leads to the formation of raised patches on the surface of the skin.
Some useful tips:
· Avoid factors that are directly related to psoriasis
· In order to calm your body and mind, always practice yoga and meditation
· Do not touch or scratch your affected screen. This may activate psoriasis
· During bath, do not scrub your skin with towel, use soft towel for the same
· Do not use soap; you can use gram flour for the same
· Use moisturizing cream on the affected area
· Use cotton clothes
