Psoriasis

Psoriasis affects men and women throughout the world, but its incidence differs by region. The highest incidence is found in Northern Europe and Scandinavia (3% of the population) and the lowest (0.5%) in North American Indians. Psoriasis is very rare in tropical climates.

	Symptoms
	The condition usually has the appearance of raised, rough, red patches which are covered in fine silvery scales. These patches can affect a few areas of the body or be more widespread, but they commonly appear first on the backs of the elbows and fronts of the knees. Some psoriasis sufferers also develop a type of arthritis, where the small joints of the hands, wrists, feet and ankles become inflamed. As well as being uncomfortable and itchy, the appearance of psoriasis can cause feelings of self-consciousness and distress. It can cause anxiety about exposing the skin, particularly when it comes to swimming or sunbathing. Therefore it's very important not to ignore these psychological effects, as the more anxiety, depression and fear that is felt about the condition, the worse it may get. Psoriasis is a life-long skin condition which is not curable, so it's likely that the symptoms will recur on and off throughout life. However, it is possible to keep the condition under control by treating the symptoms.
	Causes
	No one really knows what causes psoriasis. In healthy skin, dead cells on the surface are slowly shed and new cells are produced to replace them. This takes place in the basal layer of the skin over a period of about 28 days. In psoriatic skin, cell renewal goes into overdrive, occurring in around 4 days instead of 28. Due to the rapid division of cells in the basal layer, the cells in the middle of the skin get pushed to the surface of the skin before they have had a chance to develop properly. When these under-developed cells reach the surface they stick together and pile up to hard dry patches of skin called plaques.
	Treatment
	Coal tar products Dithranol Keratolytics/Salicylic acid Topical retinoid (Vitamin A derivative) Steroids Vitamin D Light therapy Emollients or Moisturisers
	Recommended web sites
	The Psoriasis Association An association which supports those who have psoriasis, raises awareness and funds reasearch into causes and treatments of psoriasis. Psoriasis An information leaflet from MedInfo.

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