Understanding Psoriasis: Causes and Treatments

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by red, scaly patches that can be itchy and painful. While there is no known cure for psoriasis, there are treatments available to help manage the symptoms. Understanding what causes psoriasis and the various treatments available can help those living with this condition find relief.

What Causes Psoriasis?

The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it is believed to be an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells. This causes them to grow and reproduce at an accelerated rate, leading to the formation of thick, scaly patches on the skin’s surface. Other potential causes include genetics, environmental triggers such as stress or certain medications, and infections such as strep throat or HIV/AIDS.

Treatments for Psoriasis

There are a variety of treatments available for those living with psoriasis. The type of treatment will depend on the severity and location of the condition:

Topical Treatments: These are creams or ointments applied directly to affected areas several times per day in order to reduce inflammation and itching caused by psoriasis plaques. Examples include steroid creams or ointments containing coal tar or salicylic acid.

Phototherapy: This treatment involves exposing affected areas to ultraviolet light in order to slow down cell growth and reduce inflammation caused by psoriatic plaques. This therapy can be done at home using special lamps designed for this purpose or through regular visits to a dermatologist’s office where more powerful light sources may be used.

Systemic Medications: These medications work from within your body by targeting specific parts of your immune system that cause inflammation associated with psoriatic plaques . Examples include biologic drugs like Enbrel (etanercept) or Humira (adalimumab).

Lifestyle Changes: Making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing stress levels, eating a healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, exercising regularly ,and avoiding triggers like sunburns can all help manage symptoms associated with psoriasis .

With proper understanding and treatment , those living with psoriasis can find relief from their symptoms and lead happy , healthy lives .

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psoriasis, chronic skin condition, red scaly patches, itchy and painful, no cure, treatments available, autoimmune disorder, immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, accelerated rate, topical treatments, steroid creams/ointments/coal tar/salicylic acid, phototherapy, ultraviolet light, systemic medications, biologic drugs, Enbrel/Humira, lifestyle changes, quitting smoking/reducing stress levels/healthy diet/omega-3 fatty acids /exercising regularly /avoiding triggers.,

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