Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition
It affects about 2-3% of the UK population. It can manifest itself during childhood or teenage years, but it can also appear for the first time in people of all ages, including the elderly.
Psoriasis suffers a remitting and relapsing course over time. In some instances it can completely go away for a while, but it can always recur
Classical psoriasis usually affects the elbows, knees, buttocks and scalp. However, psoriasis can affect other areas of the body like the nails, face, ears, underarms, groins, and genitalia, between the buttocks, around the umbilicus, palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Psoriasis is a multifactorial condition with a genetic basis. This means that you need to inherit a genetic predisposition to it.
For psoriasis to manifest itself, you also need trigger factors. These are very varied, and include stress, skin trauma, some medications, certain infections (like Streptococcal throat infections), alcohol and smoking.
Psoriasis can also be associated with a type of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. This can happen in up to 30% pf patients with psoriasis. Nail psoriasis can be a positive indicator.
It is important to diagnose psoriasis promptly and accurately. As for eczema, there is currently no cure for psoriasis. However, we can control it very successfully with the right combination of treatments. This can include topical treatments (cream based), phototherapy (light treatments), systemic treatments (tablet form) or even injectables (biologics).
Psoriasis can cause a lot of suffering, discomfort, misery and embarrassment to patients, and severely impair their quality of life.
Help is at hand. Book a consultation to discuss your specific problems.