The psoriasis is a chronic skin disease which affects more than 125 million people around the world and a million and a half in Spain, not inconsiderable figures that, however, contrast with the lack of knowledge that exists in society about this pathology.
Psoriasis is related to the immune system of the sufferer. It is a disease for which there is currently no cure, but for which we do have different treatments that can improve symptoms. We tell you everything you need to know about psoriasis to understand this pathology, and how you can help normalize it.
What is psoriasis and why does it occur?
As we have said, psoriasis is a chronic skin disease related to the immune system, specifically with T lymphocytes, which are activated improperly causing the activation of other immune responses.
Psoriasis is associated with skin inflammation, pain, redness, swelling, and warming in different areas of the body which are generally very visible such as the legs, elbows, knees or palms of the hands. It can also appear in other less accessible areas such as the scalp or the soles of the feet. At sight there is swelling in some areas covered with a kind of silver scales.
Psoriasis is a hereditary but not contagious disease, whose symptoms develop between more acute flare-ups and remissions
To easily understand what happens when we suffer from psoriasis we must know that in a healthy person the skin cells are renewed approximately once a month. In a psoriasis patient new skin cells are born much more often, perhaps within a couple of days: they rise to the surface where they accumulate, giving rise to those silver scales we were talking about.
Psoriasis it is a hereditary pathology, not contagious: but although the genetic component is inherited, the disease does not have to develop, since there are exogenous agents that influence it.
How is psoriasis treated?
Currently there is no treatment that can cure psoriasis, but their symptoms can be improved always depending on each patient and the degree to which they suffer.
The most important thing is to always put yourself in the hands of medical professionals who, once the diagnosis of the disease has been made, will tell us the best way to approach it according to our needs and circumstances. Between the different types of treatments that exist for psoriasis we can find topicals for mild conditions, phototherapy for moderate psoriasis and systemic treatments for moderate or severe psoriasis, always aimed at improving the quality of life of the patient.
Psoriasis has physical, psychological and social implications
But psoriasis is not just a physical condition, it is it also has psychological and social implications: Many of the people who suffer from psoriasis are discriminated against in their day-to-day lives due to this condition of their skin, and their social relationships are affected by it. Some affected by psoriasis avoid showing the affected areas of their body (they do not go to the pool, the beach or the gym, they do not wear shorts in summer) for fear of social rejection, and even a good percentage of them affirm that their life sexual has been affected by this pathology.
That is why it is important that, on the one hand, people suffering from psoriasis are actively involved in the treatment of the disease and, on the other, that the rest of us collaborate in normalizing this condition.
“Clarifies psoriasis”: an initiative to improve the quality of life of those affected
The bell “clears up psoriasis” is aimed both at patients with this pathology and at the general public, with the aim of Improve your quality of life and to normalize their situation.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that does not always develop in the same way: skin conditions come and go for periods of time, and can be affected by peaks of stress, changes in the weather, certain medications or due to infections. “Lighten”, “clean” or “whiten” psoriasis lesions are the terms used by doctors to refer to control of psoriasis symptoms for as long a period of time as possible.
It is important for people with psoriasis to know that can improve your life through existing medical treatments and with the support groups that exist, and that the general public knows and manages the information on this pathology to avoid unnecessary stigmas before those affected by this disease.
This article was originally published by Lady Fitness in April 2017 and has been reviewed for republication.
More information | Clears up psoriasis
Images | iStock, Wikimedia Commons, Clears Psoriasis
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