PSORIARIS

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that causes inflammation, resulting in thick, scaly areas of skin known as plaques. The most common type, plaque psoriasis, leads to itchiness and discomfort. While there is no cure for psoriasis, treatments are available to help manage symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

At Gustil Aesthetic Center, a magical skin treatment can help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis, providing relief and improving skin appearance. Psoriasis is a chronic condition, meaning it can flare up unexpectedly, but with proper care, its effects can be managed.

Symptoms of psoriasis on your skin include plaques. Plaques look like:

• A rash or a raised area of thick skin.
• The skin on the plaque is discolored.
• The plaque is scaly or flaky and sheds easily.

An early sign of psoriasis is small bumps. The bumps grow, and scales form on top. The surface of the plaque might shed, but the scales beneath them will stick together. If you scratch your rash, the scales may tear away from your skin. This can cause bleeding. As the rash continues to grow, lesions (larger areas of skin damage) can form. Symptoms of psoriasis can range from mild to severe.

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

In addition to skin plaques or a rash, you might have symptoms that include:

• Itchy skin.
• Cracked, dry skin.
• Skin pain.
• Nails that are pitted, cracked or crumbly.
• Joint pain.

If you scratch your plaque, you could break open your skin, which could lead to an infection. Infections are dangerous. If you experience severe pain, swelling and a fever, you have symptoms of an infection. Contact your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms.

What causes psoriasis?

An over-reactive immune system that creates inflammation in your skin causes psoriasis.

If you have psoriasis, your immune system is supposed to destroy foreign invaders, like bacteria, to keep you healthy and prevent you from getting sick. Instead, your immune system can mistake healthy cells for foreign invaders. As  a result, your immune system creates inflammation or swelling, which you see on the surface of your skin as skin plaques.

It usually takes up to 30 days for new skin cells to grow and replace old skin cells. Your over-reactive immune system causes the timeline of new skin cell development to change to three to four days. The speed of new cells replacing old cells creates scales and frequent skin shedding on top of skin plaques.

Psoriasis runs in families. There may be a genetic component to psoriasis because biological parents may pass the condition down to their children.

What causes psoriasis outbreaks?

An outbreak of psoriasis, or a flare up, causes symptoms of psoriasis as a result of contact with a trigger, which could be an irritant or an allergen. Psoriasis outbreaks differ from person to person. Common triggers for psoriasis flare ups include:

• Emotional stress.
• An infection (streptococcal infection).
• A skin injury like cuts, scrapes or surgery.
• Certain medications, such as lithium and beta-blockers.
• Changes in body temperature due to the weather.

While psoriasis can't be fully prevented, you can reduce flare-ups by moisturizing regularly, avoiding known triggers like stress and cold weather, and using gentle skincare products.

Protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen, manage stress through relaxation techniques, and maintain a healthy diet.

Avoid scratching and consult a dermatologist for personalized treatment to help manage symptoms.