Psoriasis

Your skin is the reflection of your health. Just its appearance, at times, can give away how your body has been functioning. Take dry, flaky, and itchy skin for instance—they may seem like trivial skin issues, but the real problem might run deep. They could be symptoms of a severe or chronic skin condition, like Psoriasis, which we shall discuss in this blog.

 

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a non-contagious chronic skin disease that causes scaly patches and itchy, painful rashes. These patches are due to abnormal growth of the cells, wherein they grow faster than their natural speed. Eventually, these patches start appearing scaly and develop an itch due to excessive dryness. As the condition worsens, the affected areas may also become painful.

Commonly, psoriasis occurs on the scalp, elbows, trunk, and knees and is categorized into different types depending on the part of the body it occurs.

 

Types of Psoriasis

1. Psoriatic Arthritis – This condition occurs on the skin and is accompanied by pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints, including those in the fingers and the spine.
2. Plaque Psoriasis – This type is characterized by dry, itchy, and raised skin patches, also called plaques that usually appear on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.
3. Guttate Psoriasis – It is usually triggered by a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, and leads to the development of small, drop-shaped, scaling spots on the trunk, arms, or legs. It mostly affects children and young adults.
4. Inverse Psoriasis – This psoriatic disease develops in the folds of the skin due to fungal infections, leaving smooth patches of inflamed skin that worsen with friction and sweating.
5. Nail Psoriasis – The fingernails and toenails could also be affected by psoriasis, causing pitting, abnormal nail growth, discoloration, loosening, and separation of the nail from the nail bed, and in severe cases, it may cause the nail to break down or crumble.
6. Pustular Psoriasis – This is a rare type of this disease that causes pus-filled blisters in widespread patches as well as on small areas of the palms or soles.
7. Erythrodermic Psoriasis – This type is also rare and causes a peeling rash on the entire body with intense itching or burning sensations.

 

While we’ve given some specific psoriasis disease symptoms above, you’ll find a complete list of psoriasis symptoms below after the causes.

 

What Causes Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is thought to be linked to the immune system wherein the infection-fighting cells attack healthy skin cells. Psoriasis causes are not entirely known, but researchers have narrowed down on the triggers that those suffering from the condition can be wary of to address it well in time.

Here are some of the triggers you can watch out for and take necessary precautions to alleviate the symptoms:

• Cold and dry weather
• Scratches, cuts, sometimes bug bites or severe sunburn
• Strep infection (in kids and young adults)
• Other skin infections
• Excessive smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Consumption of certain drugs, including high blood pressure and antimalarial drugs
• Withdrawal of certain anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids

 

Let’s discuss the symptoms now.

Symptoms of Psoriasis

Look out for these psoriasis symptoms to manage it well.

1. Patchy Rash in varying color— purple with gray scaling on medium to dark-colored skin, and pink or red with silver scales on fair skin.
2. Dry, scaly patches or dandruff-like scaling in smaller areas.
3. Itching, soreness or burning sensation.
4. Occasional bleeding of the affected areas.
5. Cyclic flare-ups every few weeks or months.

 

How to Treat Psoriasis?

Since psoriasis is a disease caused by the occurrence of scaly patches of fast-growing skin cells, it is important to curb the cell growth and remove the existing scales to get some relief.

Psoriasis treatment or psoriasis therapy can vary depending on its severity. Mild cases may be managed with topical therapy using creams and ointments, while light therapy or phototherapy, and oral or injected medications may be prescribed for an advanced stage of psoriasis skin.

Your psoriasis treatment may also vary based on its location on the body and the existence of other health conditions; for instance, your dermatologist might prescribe a suitable, moisturizing shampoo for scalp psoriasis treatment.

You must seek medical attention soon after the symptoms are seen. But if you are wondering if there is a way to cure psoriasis at home... well, there isn’t. However, you can follow some precautions to prevent flare-ups.

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How to Prevent Psoriasis Flare-Ups

Psoriasis flare-ups can play spoilsport when it comes to managing the skin condition. Preventing them is the only way to minimize their effect. Read on to learn how you can do that.

1. Limit Shower Time and Use Lukewarm Water

Excessive hot or cold water can strip moisture off your skin and worsen the inflammation. To keep the affected areas clean, use lukewarm water and a moisturizing cleanser, preferably one that is prescribed by your dermatologist. Also, limit your shower time to 10-15 minutes as long showers or baths can also dry the skin further out.

2. Dab with Soft Towel

Since the skin is already inflamed, you don’t want to disturb it by using a rough towel which could be infected. We recommend using our naturally antibacterial Bamboo Towels, Banana Towels, and Aloe Vera Towels as they are ultra soft and super absorbent. This means that you only have to gently pat your skin dry and not worry about irritating your already inflamed skin.

Our towels are also treated with an Australian-formulated antimicrobial layer extracted from coconut, so you can prevent the chances of other skin infections while your skin is healing from Psoriasis.

Try our hair towels if you’re suffering from scalp psoriasis and of course our bath and face towels for psoriasis on the body and fingernails, respectively.

3. Lock in the Moisture After Bathing

Moisturizing your skin immediately after bathing locks in the moisture of your skin, keeping it supple and soft. Use a fragrance-free moisturizer and one that has been prescribed by your dermatologist.

4. Prevent Cuts and Injuries

Cuts and injuries can cause the condition to spread on your skin.

5. Manage Stress to Prevent Flare-Ups

Stress can play a crucial role in causing psoriasis flare-ups. Manage stress by pampering yourself and indulging in stress-relieving activities, such as yoga and breathing exercises.

6. Wear Dry Breathable Clothes & Shoes

Sweat and dampness can increase the chances of bacterial buildup on affected skin and aggravate the situation. Wear dry and breathable clothes and shoes for additional comfort.

7. Limit Your Air Conditioning Time

Too much time in an air-conditioned environment can also cause dryness and flare-ups. It is therefore important for you to be mindful when it comes to spending time indoors as well as outdoors.

You may, however, up your moisturizer and sunscreen game if you cannot control the environment that you spend the most time in.

With several causes of psoriasis disease, managing the psoriasis skin condition can seem difficult, but if you know the triggers, get appropriate psoriasis therapy, and have the right hygiene essentials handy, such as the softest, antibacterial, natural yarn towels, you can easily prevent flare-ups and other skin complications.