Itching All Over

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Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious condition which appears as thick red, patches of plaques or inflamed skin lesions. These skin lesions have silver white scabs of dead skin appearing on the arms, feet , back of the legs, elbows, scalp, fold of the buttocks, and nails. According to the National Institute of Health, “as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis.” It affects more women than men and is most common in fair skin individuals and is rare in dark skin individuals.

The National Psoriasis Foundation reports that, “30% of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis is also associated with other serious conditions such as diabetes, heart diseases and obesity.

What Causes Psoriasis?

The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown and there is no cure. Researchers do agree that psoriasis is related to faulty signals sent by the body’s immune system. The faulty signals accelerate the growth cycle in skin cells causing a skin maturity and replacement problem. Normal skin shedding takes 28 – 30 days. In psoriasis skin shedding takes less than a week to mature. This early maturity and skin shedding causes the skin cells to raise and pile up on the skin surface resulting in psoriasis.

Psoriasis is considered:

Mild when 5% or less of the body is affected.

Moderate when 5% – 30% of the body is affected.

Severe when 30% or more of the body is affected.

The National Psoriasis Foundation lists the types of psoriasis as:

Plaque: This type is the most common form of the disease it appears on the knees, scalp

and the lower back.

Guttate: This type appears as small red spots on the lower back and limbs.

Inverse: This type occurs in the armpits, groin, under the breast and other skin folds.

Pustular: In this type white blisters are surrounded by red skin.

Erythrodermic: This type is characteristic of intense redness over large areas of the body

surface with severe itching and pain.

The Goal of Treatment in Psoriasis:

The main goal in the treatment of psoriasis is to reduce and eliminate the symptoms of the disease.

There are many approaches to the treatment of psoriasis such as:

Topical products

Systemic medications

Light Therapy

Biological Drugs

Complementary approach

Alternative approach,

Treatments include

Over the counter medications such as:

Soothing bath solutions.

The use of moisturizers.

Salicylic Acids

Coal Tar

Aloe Vera

Prescriptions

Anthralin topical

Dovonex vitamin D 3

Taclonex this slows the rate of the skin cell growth.

Tazoral in gel or cream form.

Topical Steroids

Alternative Approach such as:

Acupuncture

Meditation

Herbal remedies

Magnets

Each individual responds to treatment differently. It is important to communicate with your physician and actively participate in your treatment program to get the best benefit from the treatment. It may take a combination of different approaches to find out what works best for you.

Psoriasis can be a physically and emotionally painful disease, causing physical limitations, embarrassment and disfiguration. Managing the daily care of psoriasis can also be demanding. Consistent treatment and emotional support from friends, family and support groups will make it easier for you to cope.

The National Psoriasis Foundation is an excellent resource for getting information and support in dealing with the condition. This organization is working relentlessly to find a cure for this condition.

National Psoriasis Foundation

www.poriasis.org

1-800-723-9166

more posts of interest:

• Psoriasis and Self Esteem
• Psoriasis – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
• Psoriasis Treatment & How To Deal With The Illness
• Psoriasis: Symptoms and treatment – Part 4
• Psoriasis Treatment: Know It More and Manage It

Pityriasis rosea is a skin disease marked by patches of pink, oval rash. Although its exact cause is unknown and its onset is not linked to food, medicines or stress, it is thought that this essentially non-contagious condition is set off by a virus. Pityriasis rosea can affect members of either sex of any age. Pityriasis rosea is uncommon in those over 60 years old. It may last months longer when it occurs in this age group. A single scaling patch often appears one to twenty days before the general rash. It is an oval plaque 2-5 cm in diameter, with a scale trailing just inside the edge of the lesion. The herald patch is often mistaken as ringworm. It can also be confused with psoriasis. Often, the patches are confined to the upper body and may follow the ribs in lines. The rash lasts around one or two months then clears up completely.

What causes it?

Pityriasis rosea may be set off by a viral infection but it does not appear to be contagious. Herpes viruses 6 and 7 have sometimes been associated with pityriasis rosea. It is not related to foods, medicines, or stress.

Pityriasis rosea clears up by itself in about six to twelve weeks. When clear, the skin returns to its normal appearance. It leaves no scars, although pale marks or brown discolouration may persist for a few months in dark skinned people.

What are the symptoms?

Pityriasis rosea causes a rash.

* The rash often begins with a single, round-to-oval, pink patch that is scaly with a raised border (herald patch). Its size ranges from 2 cm to 10 cm. The larger size is more common. See an illustration of a herald patch.

* Days to weeks later, salmon-colored, 1 cm to 2 cm oval patches appear in batches on the abdomen, chest, back, arms, and legs. Patches sometimes spread to the neck but rarely to the face.

*Itching of the lesions (mild to severe)

* Fever & fatigue (but rare)

Pityriasis Rosea Treatment

Treatment may include external and internal medications for itching. Aveeno oatmeal baths, anti-itch medicated lotions and steroid creams may be prescribed to combat the rash. Lukewarm, rather than hot, baths may be suggested. Strenuous activity, which could aggravate the rash, should be discouraged. Ultraviolet light treatments given under the supervision of a dermatologist may be helpful. Recently, both the antiviral drug Famvir and the antibiotic erythromycin have been claimed to produce healing in one to two weeks. For severe cases a few days of oral anti-inflammatory medications such as prednisone may be necessary to promote healing

more posts of interest:

• Pityriasis Lichenoides Chronica Facts and Pityriasis Lichenoides Chronicatreatment
• Therapy For the Treatment of Psoriasis
• Psoriasis and Self Esteem
• Psoriasis defined
• Psoriasis: Treatment According to Symptoms Types