Psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease in the United States, affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans. The disease typically strikes between the ages of 15 and 35, and causes skin redness and irritation.
Psoriasis can appear suddenly or slowly and can go away and come back again.
People with psoriasis most often experience raised, thick red skin with flaky silver-white patches on the body that bleed and itch, called scales. Patches are most often seen on the elbows, knees, and middle of the body, but can appear anywhere including the scalp, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Psoriasis is not contagious. There are five common types of psoriasis each of which seem to be passed down through families in about one third of the cases. However researchers still aren't clear on the precise details of the psoriasis-associated genetic links.
Statistics show that if a parent has psoriasis, a child has about a 10 percent chance of also developing it. In sets of identical twins, if one twin has psoriasis, the likelihood that the other twin will also develop psoriasis is around 70 percent. For a pair of non-identical twins the chance of the second twin getting psoriasis is 20 percent.
Some researchers now believe about 10 percent of the general population inherits one or more of the genes that create a predisposition for psoriasis, but that only 2 to 3 percent of this group actually goes on to develop the disease, reported Everyday Health.
The cause of psoriasis isn’t fully known,but it's thought to be related to the immune system sending out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. The Mayo Clinic reported that psoriasis can start or worsen when a susceptible person is exposed to certain triggers.
Triggers for psoriasis include:
- Stress
- Infections (such as strep throat)
- A skin injury (a cut, scrape bug bite or severe sunburn)
- Cold weather
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Diet
- Allergies
- Certain medications
Psoriasis frequently occurs with a range of other health concerns including diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, Crohn’s disease and depression.
A number of studies have concluded that people with psoriasis have an increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as a form of skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma and lymphoma. In some instances, these cancers have been associated with specific psoriasis treatments designed to suppress the immune system.
The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) recommends that patients follow regular health screenings for cancer and avoid high-risk behaviors.
Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, swelling and stiffness around the joints, and typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. Genes, the immune system and environmental factors are all believed to play a role in the onset of the disease.
Psoriasis impacts the emotions. Nearly 70 percent of people with psoriasis say their disease makes them feel self-conscious, embarrassed and helpless. A report by the NPF shows living with psoriasis has a stronger emotional affect on women than men.
Nearly 60 percent of women, particularly younger women, say that psoriasis interferes with their quality of life and 20 percent say that the disease “looms over their life,” compared to 12 percent of men. The report found people with psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing depression.
"The pressure is so intense on women to appear attractive to others. So much of our capital in the world is based on our appearance," said Wendy Chapkis, director of the women and gender studies program at the University of Southern Maine and author of "Beauty Secrets: Women and the Politics of Appearance.
"That's not just an emotional reality — that's a material reality."
There currently is no cure for psoriasis. Treatment can help manage the disease by reducing or eliminating the symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe biologic, systematic or topical medications along with complementary or alternative medicine.
Lynette Summerill is an award-winning writer and Scuba enthusiast who lives in San Diego with her husband and two beach loving dogs. In addition to writing about cancer-related issues for EmpowHER, her work has been seen in publications internationally.
Sources:
Psoriasis. Medline Plus. (NIH) Accessed 16 August 2013.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000434.htm
About psoriasis. National Psoriasis Foundation. Accessed 16 August 2013.
http://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis
Everyday Health. Psoriasis and Heredity. Jesse Scholl. Accessed 16 August 2013.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/psoriasis/understanding/psoriasis-and-heredity.aspx
Mayo Clinic. Psoriasis. 25 Feb. 2011.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/psoriasis/DS00193/DSECTION=causes
Women and the Heavy Toll of Psoriasis. National Psoriasis Foundation. Amy Stork. Online:
http://www.psoriasis.org/publications/psoriasis-advance/2010/winter/women-and-psoriasis
Reviewed August 20, 2013
by MIchele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith