Psoriasis seems to most commonly strike those under the age of 35, and it affects 100 million worldwide including 7.6 million Americans. It is a chronic condition affecting our skin’s surface, but psoriasis is more than just dry skin.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin inflammation which results in red, flaky and itchy skin. It seems to be common around the knees, elbows and scalp. Unfortunately these areas of our body are seen by others, and the uninformed may incorrectly believe psoriasis is contagious. It is not.
Those with an overactive immune system are at a higher risk of developing psoriasis. With an overactive immune system, the growth of skin cells speeds up.
Normal skin cells grow and then shed off in a month, but with psoriasis it happens in 3 or 4 days. Instead of shedding, the cells pile up on the skin’s surface and look like red bumpy patches with white scales.
Triggers Of Psoriasis
There are several types of psoriasis. It’s important to see Goodless Dermatology and find out which type you have, although most types of psoriasis result from the same triggers.
Common triggers include the following:
- Stress
- Skin injury
- Certain medications like lithium, antimalarial drugs, quinine, plus others
- Infections
- Allergies
- Diet
Effects Of Psoriasis On Our Body
Psoriasis can affect not only our skin, but it can cause problems in other organs in our body. Psoriasis is not just dry skin.
People with psoriasis have an increased risk of experiencing a comorbidity. This is a condition or disease that happens because of or in relation to another condition – like psoriasis.
Depression
The National Psoriasis Foundation tells us having psoriasis can create depression in many people. In fact those with psoriasis are twice as likely to be depressed as compared to the rest of the population.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Up to 30% of those with psoriasis also get psoriatic arthritis which causes swelling and pain in the joints.
Cardiovascular Disease
This includes numerous conditions like heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
Metabolic Syndrome
This refers to increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excessive body fat especially around the waist, and high cholesterol which increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Other comorbidities include: IBS, cancer, kidney disease, COPD, liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.
Effectively treating your psoriasis lowers your risk of other comorbidities.
See Goodless Dermatology to treat psoriasis and lower your risk of other health conditions.
To schedule an appointment, please call (407) 566-1616 or request an appointment online.