Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder which is caused by an overactive immune system. This causes skin cells to multiply up to 10x faster than normal, making the skin build up into bumpy red patches covered with white/silvery scales. Psoriasis treatments include steroid creams, coal tar creams and shampoos (for the scalp), light therapy and oral medications, like biologics. Psoriasis can present anywhere on the body, but mostly appears on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back. For most it affects just a few areas, in severe cases Psoriasis can cover large areas of the body. It usually manifests in early adulthood.

Types of Psoriasis

• Pustular psoriasis, which causes red and scaly skin with tiny pustules on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
• Guttate psoriasis, which often starts in childhood or young adulthood, causes small, red spots, mainly on the torso and limbs. Triggers may be respiratory infections, strep throat, tonsillitis, stress, injury to the skin, and taking antimalarial and beta-blocker medications.
• Inverse psoriasis, which makes bright red, shiny lesions that appear in skin folds, such as the armpits, groin, and under the breasts.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis, which causes fiery redness of the skin and shedding of scales in sheets. It’s triggered by severe sunburn, infections, certain medications, and stopping some kinds of psoriasis treatment. It needs to be treated immediately because it can lead to severe illness.

What Causes Psoriasis?

No one knows the exact cause of psoriasis, but experts believe that it’s a combination of things. Something wrong with the immune system causes inflammation, triggering new skin cells to form too quickly. Normally, skin cells are replaced every 10 to 30 days. With psoriasis, new cells grow every 3 to 4 days. The build-up of old cells being replaced by new ones creates those silver scales.

Triggers/Causes

• Psoriasis tends to run in families, but it may skip generations.
• Cuts, scrapes, or surgery
• Emotional stress
• Strep infections
• Hormone changes during puberty, pregnancy and the menopause
• Medications for blood pressure (beta blockers)
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Antimalarial medication

Risks

• When you have psoriasis, the genes that control your immune system’s signals get mixed up. Instead of protecting the body from invaders, it promotes inflammation thus putting the skin cells into overdrive.
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Stress
• Medications
• Steroid withdrawal
• HIV
• Sunlight is good for most people with psoriasis, but for a few, the sunlight makes the condition worse. Severe sunburn can also worsen the condition, so you must protect your skin if you’ll be outside
• Skin injuries
• Weight
• Weather

Treatment

Luckily, there are many treatments. Some slow the growth of new skin cells, and others relieve itching and dry skin. Your doctor will select a treatment plan that is right for you based on the size of your rash, where it is on your body, your age, your overall health, and other things.

Common treatments include:

• Steroid creams
• Moisturizers for dry skin
• Coal tar (a common treatment for scalp psoriasis available in lotions, creams, foams, shampoos, and bath solutions)
• Cream or ointment (a strong kind ordered by your doctor. Vitamin D in foods and pills has no effect.)
• Retinoid creams

Psoriasis is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured, but can be successfully managed holistically, through medication, managing stress, sleeping well, a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Alkalising the skin and the body will reduce the inflammation and the effects of the flare up. When you control the inflammation of psoriasis, your risk of heart disease, stroke, metabolic syndromes, and other diseases associated with inflammation go down.

If you are unsure about using our products, please consult your doctor first.

To find out more about Psoriasis, visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis/