Psoriasis: The inheritance, no one wants to own
Epidemiology of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic epidermal skin syndrome, which accelerates the life cycle of skin cells. The cells build over each other on the skin’s surface. It is an inheritable disease. It is considered as presumed autoimmune pathogenesis and associated with human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-Cw6 and DR7. If it gets activated it would develop a series of health-related disorders like stress, trauma, infections, upper respiratory infections, an increase in smoking, obesity, and human immunodeficiency virus infection.
A brief history of Psoriasis
In the West, till the 1840s the psoriasis was not discerned from Leprosy. It was clinically labelled and distinguished as a separate disease in the eighth century AD. However, twelve hundred years ago the Psoriasis was treated by a Persian Physician, Jasaliq. The Physician framed the connection between the occurrences of psoriasis in the patient and the manifestation of several other severe interpersonal conflicts. He competently used therapeutic modalities that are now established in investigative cooperation in treaty with our present concept of exploration and dynamic psychotherapy.
Who are the suspects of Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic inherited disease with unknown causes. Only in United State 75 Million people and around 125 Million people of the world agonize with this disease. Usually, 2% to 4% of genetically prone people get affected, normally the chance of being affected enhances with advanced age. Generally, the occurrence of the disease is 2%, however, 50 % of people get suffered in the first three decades of their life. The probability of having Psoriasis in adults is 0.51% to 11.43% and in children is 0% to 1.37% It has also been observed that the age of onset has two peaks, 1st peak is at the age of 16 in female and 22 in male. 2nd peak is at the age of 60 in females and 57 in males.
Symptoms related to Psoriasis.
The inflammatory and lesion skin with itching, or stiff and swollen joints, or ridged nails are the signs that the person is affected by Psoriasis. The thickened scaly red plaque of the disease appears on the scalp, elbow, knee, lower back, palm, soles, nail, face, and in the inner side of the body.
You may also want to read about Eczema.
How to differentiate between Eczema and Psoriasis?
- Eczema: Eczema is an atopic dermatitis of hypersensitivity reaction. The skin overreacts due to different agents, such as dyes, fabrics, soaps, animals, and other irritants.
- Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that results in the overproduction of skin cells. The dead cells build up into silvery-white scales. The skin becomes inflamed and red, causing serious itching.
Types of Psoriasis
There are many types of Psoriasis such as
- Psoriasis Vulgaris
- Psoriasis-Arthritis
- Chronic Plaque Psoriasis
- Pustular Psoriasis
- Tropic Psoriasis
- Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
- Methotrexate Psoriasis
- Entanercept Psoriasis.
Pathogenesis and Comorbidities with Psoriasis
The heterogeneous disease is associated with multiple comorbid conditions that extend beyond the skin for example joint destruction, cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and chronic kidney disease.
The best known Psoriasis disease is Plaque type. The inflammation on the outer side of the skin is a sign of dysregulation of skin immune responses with hyperplasia and angiogenesis. The condition co-exists with cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, metabolic disorder, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Moreover, Cardiometabolic disease and atherogenesis establish quickly with more severe skin disease. It is well understood that the comorbidities with psoriasis lessen the chance of the life of psoriatic patients.
Similarly, Psoriasis-Arthritis affects small joints of psoriatic patients. Whereas depression and cancer are often comorbid in psoriatic patients, which often directs the body frequently overweight or obese.
The psychosomatic and physiological effects of Psoriasis
Undoubtedly the impact of Psoriasis on physical and emotional health-related issues is horrendous in comparison with other diseases. The psychological issues start befalling within the patients having psoriasis. As a result, they could not move freely and confiscated themselves culturally and socially. They have the feeling of discomfiture and stigmatization of being rejected at work, in relation, and day to day activities. Due to severe itching of the skin patients plunge into anxiety, stress, and depression which leads to more complications.
Few things if avoided would reduce the intensity of Psoriasis
As it is an autoimmune disease and as such no cure is available, so one must avoid few things to ease the symptoms and the flare of the disease. They are;
- Certain foods like whole milk, citrus fruit, gluten, and fatty foods.
- Alcohol
- Excessive sun
- Cold dry weather
- Obesity: must have a light exercise daily
- Stress
- Smoking
- Certain medications without doctors’ prescriptions like steroids, Beta-Blockers, and pills to stop malaria.
- Certain infections, which trigger psoriasis-like, strep throat, thrush, and upper respiratory infections.
- Scratches, bite, injuries, and rubbing: must use a net and avoid areas where there is a chance of being bitten or injured and involve yourself in such activities that lessen down the symptoms.
Remedies to calm down the effects of Psoriasis
Since the psoriasis is a recalcitrant and rebellious skin disorder, it needs a lifetime control. Usually, Tradition Chinese Medicine (TCM) is considered safe for the treatment of Psoriasis. It is prepared with various natural products which are known as therapeutic agents. In one of the research in Japan, herbal Medicines got the highest rank amongst all the systemic therapies.
In addition to Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a large number of conventional Western medical therapies are also available in the market. They are steroids, vitamin D analogs, retinoids, salicylates, fumaric acid esters, and anthralins. For the systemic medication, the new biologic agents’ adalimumab, alefacept, efalizumab, etanercept, and infliximab are preferable to localize the disease. However, phototherapy containing broadband ultraviolet B, narrowband UVB, PUVA, and climatotherapy are used for more severe conditions of psoriasis.
Treatment
A medical practitioner needs to have complete knowledge of the comorbid diseases connected with psoriasis for comprehensive medical care of patients with his chronic skin disorder. As the severity of hypertension and uncontrolled blood pressure with the systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg is allied with psoriasis is still unknown.
Hence the pathogenesis of skin disease can be treated with the active form of vitamin D3, 1a-Hydroxyvitamin D3, and 1a, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3. As well as the alternate therapy at bedtime to activate metabolites and cut short the abnormalities in the oral or topical administration with 1, 25 – (OH)2 –D3 is also seemed safe and showed rapid and complete clearing of symptoms
Psychosocial issues may involve group therapies, individual psychotherapy, and behavior therapy; of greatest importance are improved patient education and an empathic doctor-patient relationship
More research and studies are still required for further and constant relief from the disease. The goal of finding the cure of systematic inflammation is not only to prevent but to reverse the comorbidities.
Author’s Bio
Hi, I am Shaista Qamar. A content writer, who loves reading and writing. Can produce well researched assignments on different niches, especially on Health related Issues and Nursing.
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