Interesting Facts about Psoriasis That Will Surprise You

Winston Churchill has been battling psoriasis all his life and has promised to erect a golden monument to a doctor who will solve the riddle of this disease and find an effective cure. Unfortunately, no one received that part. To this day, we consider psoriasis is incurable, but there are many medications that keep the disease under control. We will list 10 facts about psoriasis that will surprise you

Statistics about psoriasis

To begin with a little statistic. About 4% of the population suffers from psoriasis, and it is one of the most widespread chronic skin pathologies. Most patients who develop the disease for the first time are younger than 40 years. But there are two pronounced age peaks (13-25 and 50-60 years.) And men get sick more often.

Although science has known about psoriasis for many years, the mechanisms of its occurrence are still unclear. Most experts are convinced that this is an autoimmune disease. Among the provokers of its occurrence are constant stress, hereditary factor, hormonal imbalance, allergic reactions, diseases of the digestive tract and liver, metabolic disorders, infections of various kinds, frequent mechanical injuries and irritations.

Something more about psoriasis

In case of psoriasis, chronic inflammation occurs in the body. The cells of the outer layer of the skin are formed in large quantities, they grow quickly and divide, but they fail to peel off, so deposits are formed – psoriatic plaques. Psoriasis mainly occurs on the elbows and knees, feet and palms, buttocks and scalp. The parts may be smaller or merge, itch and bleed. The disease often affects the nails as well – they become thicker, change color and peel off, dents and furrows appear on them.

In many cases, psycho emotional effort is in the background of the first symptoms of the disease or affects its worsening. That is why in the treatment and prevention of psoriasis, it is extremely important to learn how to manage stress and reduce its impact on the body to a minimum.

Even one stain is a reason to go to a dermatologist without delay (!) to determine the nature of skin changes. We should start therapy as early as possible – to avoid more serious complications.

Medical treatment

Treatment begins with light hormonal preparations that have few contraindications. But, if there is no improvement, more active fats based on hormones are applied.

There is a connection between psoriasis and obesity (excess weight accelerates the course of the disease.) Therefore, losing weight and maintaining a normal weight have a positive effect on general health and quality of life.

Some drugs used to treat other diseases can worsen the course of psoriasis. These are antibiotics, lithium preparations, vitamin C and those from the B-group, contraceptive pills, immunomodulators.

Psoriasis is not just a skin pathology. It can also affect internal organs and systems, especially blood vessels. The so-called psoriatic arthritis, which causes swelling of the fingers or toes. It can also affect the hip and knee joints. As a rule, the degree of expression is related to the severity of skin changes. In case of worsening, there is hyperemia (excessive filling of blood vessels of an organ with blood), pain, reduced joint mobility, increased swelling. The typical time when complications occur is winter-spring.

Scientists have concluded that removing tonsils helps some people fight psoriasis. What’s the connection? Sometimes skin problems are associated with streptococcal infection, including tonsillitis. Therefore, when the source of infection is removed, the patient improves.