Thursday, January 12, 2012

How to Minimize Psoriasis Flare Ups

By Vince Olaer


Since there is still no cure for psoriasis, observing certain principles in lifestyle and proper skin management provides the person with the disease a scope for optimum control over the disease. The following are tips to prevent psoriases flare ups.

Avoiding Direct Skin Injury
An injury to the skin whether or not it is on the area affected by psoriasis will produce new psoriatic lesions by irritating the base layer of the skin and switching on spurting actions of cells. A study shows that almost half of the population of people suffering from psoriasis experience a Koebner phenomenon which develops new lesions at the site of the injured skin. Also, put in mind that scrubbing to remove the scales is a big mistake because it may worsen the psoriasis.

Treat Any Infectious Foci at the Earliest
Some study showed that some infections like stretococcal throat infection which is very contagious can activate psoriasis which results to gutate psoriasis. Another example is the frequent aggravation of inverse psoriasis by candidal infection in skin folds. Treating the infection will help on healing the psoriasis and may possibly clear up just like other cases.

Treating the Disease As Soon as Possible
The most effective way the appearance of new lesions and to stop the itching is to treat the psoriasis flare ups as soon as the new lesions appear. Consult your doctor or dermatologist as soon as the sign is present is highly recommended.

Maintain Desirable Health Habits
Psoriasis flare ups are common when you are tired and weak. Eat a balance diet, reduce eating red meats, and eliminating intake of alchohol will help you maintain your skin. Drink plenty of water and get at least 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep everyday. And also do exercises at least 3 to 4 times every week. Remember that good nutrition, rest and exercise tune up your body and keep the equilibirium which is essential to reduce psoriasis flare ups.

Quit Smoking
Many studies show that pustular psoriasis on the soles and palms is caused by smoking. Patients who quit from smoking clears up their lesions faster. Studies also show that the severity of psoriasis may be related to smoking. That's why it is highly suggested to totally give up smoking if you want to get rid of those scaly, itchy, red patches.

Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol can trigger psoriasis. Though some physicians allow moderate consumption of achohol, it seems that even a small amount of alcohol causes psoriasis flare ups in patients.

Manage your Stress
Stress is linked to the induction and exacerbation of all types of psoriasis. Stress can initially trigger and may worsen the psoriasis. It is therefore recommended to try to learn and master any one of the stress management techniques like relaxation, yoga, and etc.

Providing Extra Care for Your Skin
Keep the skin moist by putting heavy skin moisturizers or any topical agents after every bath. Frequent use of moisturizers will help in controlling the itch and pain of dry skin and will reduce scaling and inflammation. Keep in mind that dryness will increase flaking, itching, and scaling which will worsen the condition of psoriasis.

Learn to Live with Psoriasis
While there is still no cure for psoriasis, learn to successfully manage your health and provide extra care for your skin so that you will experience more good days than bad. Also, keep a positive mental attitude towards life and its happenings. Remember that any negative thinking is an instant trigger for psoriasis. Manage your stress and keep psoriasis under control.




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Saturday, January 7, 2012

Psoriasis and Its Symptoms

By Sandy Rutherforde


Psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease and it is described as a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It arises when the immune system transmits erroneous signals mistaking the skin cells as being pathogens and increasing the cycle of skin cells. This skin condition is not infectious.

Physically this skin disorder produces red, dry plaques of thickened skin. These dry flakes and skin scales are believed to arise from the quick growth of skin cells which is brought about by abnormal lymphocytes in the blood.

As many as 7.5 million Americans have been clinically diagnosed with this issue. It can be found in almost any part of the body and it's been linked with other serious health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke and depression.

There are 5 kinds of psoriasis:

1. Vulgaris

Vulgaris is regarded as the most common form of the 5 kinds. Around 80 to 90% of people have this type. The symptoms of this disease are raised, inflamed, red skin lesions coated by a silvery white scaly skin. These spots are often referred to as plaques. Additionally, it is typically observed on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back.

2. Guttate

Guttate frequently begins in childhood or young adulthood. It is characterized by quite a few small, scaly, pinkish individual teardrop areas on the skin. These spots typically appear around the scalp, trunk and arms and legs.

3. Inverse

Inverse can be seen in the armpits, abdomen, beneath or just below the breasts, as well as in other skin folds. This problem is known to appear as bright red lesions which are smooth and shiny. It's often irritated by rubbing and sweating because of its location in skin folds and tender areas. Additionally, it is prone to fungal infections.

4. Pustular

Pustular is often observed in adults. It is identified by white blisters of noninfectious pustules which are made up of white blood cells and it is surrounded by red and tender skin. This particular condition can be localized to the hands or feet. Even so, it might also be generalized with extensive patches occurring randomly on any area of the body.

5. Erythrodermic

Erythrodermic is a very inflammatory form of this condition that affects most of the body area. Its symptoms are intermittent, extensive inflammation, and also the scales shed in sheets rather than smaller flakes. The erythrodermic variety is observed as a reddening and shedding of the skin that is typically itchy, inflammation and discomfort, heart rate increase, and varying body temperature.

This skin disorder will get better or worse spontaneously and can have periodic remissions. Consequently, there can be times when there won't be any sign of the disease.

At present there's no known cause of psoriasis, so there has been no cure discovered as of yet. Moreover, researchers have demonstrated that the condition can be passed down. Despite this fact, medication continues to be used that can help manage the condition.




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