Q: What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic skin
disorder that affects over 6.4 million people in the United States. Plaque
psoriasis, the most common form, is characterized by inflamed lesions topped
with silvery white scales. Psoriasis can be limited to a few plaques or
can involve moderate to extensive areas of skin. For most people, psoriasis
tends to be mild. Select the following link to view a more detailed discussion
of the question: what is psoriasis?
Q: What causes psoriasis?
No one knows exactly what
causes psoriasis, although a recent study has established that it is an
immune-mediated disorder. We do know that psoriasis is the growth of too
many skin cells. A normal skin cell matures in 28 to 30 days but a psoriatic
skin cell takes only 3 to 6 days.
Q: Who gets psoriasis?
Both males and females get
psoriasis in equal numbers. It can strike at any age, but most often between
15 and 35. However, a first-time diagnoses of psoriasis has been seen in
very old people, and in new-born babies and small children. About 150,000
to 250,000 new cases of psoriasis are diagnosed each year. Select the following
link to see some more psoriasis statistics.
Q: How is psoriasis diagnosed?
A physician makes the diagnosis
after observing the skin, and studying the psoriatic plaque cells under
a microscope. Pitting of the nails can be a sign of psoriasis. There is
no medical test for psoriasis.
Q: Is all psoriasis alike?
No. There are various forms
of psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is the most common. Other forms are guttate,
characterized by small dot-like lesions; pustular, characterized by weeping
lesions and intense scaling; inverse, characterized by intense inflammation
and little scaling; and erythrodermic, characterized by intense sloughing
and inflammation of the skin. Psoriasis can range from mild to moderate
to very severe and disabling. (20-25K graphics)
Q: Is psoriasis contagious?
No. Psoriasis is not contagious.
It is not something you can "catch" or "pass on."
Q: What parts of the
body are affected?
Psoriasis most commonly
appears on the scalp, knees, elbows, hands and feet. It rarely affects
the face. However, no area of the skin is exempt, including the genital
area.
Q: Do people know they
are going to get psoriasis?
It is not possible to predict
who will get psoriasis. Heredity plays a role but the mode of inheritance
is not clear. The National Psoriasis Foundation has created and continues
to support the National Psoriasis Tissue Bank to facilitate worldwide investigation
into the genetic causes of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Select the
following link to view a technical report on familial psoriasis susceptability
at the OMIM Human Genome Database. Environmental factors such as physical
trauma to the skin, infections, stress, and other things may trigger the
onset of psoriasis, even in people without an apparent family history of
psoriasis.
Q: Is there a cure for
psoriasis?
There is no cure, but there
are many different treatments, both topical and systemic, that can clear
psoriasis for periods of time. Experimentation is often required to find
a treatment that works for a particular person, as illustrated by many
case histories (100K graphics). Some people who have psoriasis experience
spontaneous remissions, but no one knows why this happens and they are
unpredictable.
Q: Do people die from
psoriasis?
Yes. About 400 people die
from complications caused by psoriasis each year. Primarily, such complications
occur in relation to a severe, extensive form of psoriasis, such as generalized
pustular psoriasis or erythrodermic psoriasis, where large areas of skin
are shed. The skin plays an important role in regulating body temperature
and serving as a barrier to infection. When a person's skin is compromised
to such a great extent, secondary infections are possible. Fluid loss is
a complicating factor in these serious forms of psoriasis, and a great
strain is also placed on the circulatory system.
Also, approximately 400 people
receive social security disability due to psoriasis each year.
Q: Is psoriasis associated
with other diseases?
Approximately 10 percent
of people who have psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis
is generally mild in nature and generally affects the hands and feet, but
other parts of the body can be affected as well. In some cases, psoriatic
arthritis can be disabling.
Q: Can people with psoriasis
function normally?
For the most part people
with psoriasis can function normally. Sometimes people experience low self-esteem
because psoriasis is unsightly. Psoriasis is often misunderstood by the
public, which can make social interactions awkward. This may lead to emotional
problems such as anxiety, anger, embarrassment, and depression. Psoriasis
can affect the type of work people do if it is visible.
Q: What is the economic
impact of psoriasis?
The cost of medications
and visits to the doctor are ongoing because psoriasis is chronic. Severe
cases may require periods of hospitalization. It is estimated that 56 million
hours of work are lost each year by people who suffer from psoriasis and
over one billion dollars are spent annually on treatments
