8 facts you need to know about psoriasis

Pop culture icon, Cyndi Lauper, has never been one to shy away from standing out from the crowd.  Her eye-catching pink hair to elaborate stage costumes has always defined her exuberant personality and style.  But back in 2010, the 64-year old icon discovered the appearance of psoriasis first appearing on her scalp to eventually covering everywhere else on her body except her face.  After many years of various treatments for psoriasis, including alternative therapies, Lauper has finally found a biologic drug that is effectively controlling her disease.  She now is a leading spokesperson for the pharmaceutical company Novartis and has appeared on TV commercials helping spread the message on reducing the effects of psoriasis.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a persistent, chronic inflammatory skin condition caused by an inherited genetic defect affecting around 7.5 million people in the United States, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.

Most of us have heard of psoriasis but many do not understand what this condition is all about.  Even people afflicted with it are often not fully aware of the facts associated with it. 

Here are some basic facts important to know about psoriasis:

·      Having psoriasis increases the chance of developing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis by 3.8 to 7.5 times than the general public

·      Anyone with psoriasis is at a higher risk for lymphoma, obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome

·      The disease is stressful which can lead to an increased risk for depression, suicide, smoking, and alcohol consumption

The myths and misconceptions surrounding psoriasis abound.  To help educate the public and to set the record straight, here are 8 things about psoriasis you may not know but need to:

1.  Psoriasis affects more than just your skin

Psoriasis is a condition causing skin to grow faster than it can shed.  This results in sore, reddish, itchy skin with flaky, silvery white scales.  Symptoms vary from person to person but most suffer irritation on their scalp, knees, elbows, hands, and feet.  However, even the eyelids, ears, fingernails, toenails, inside of the mouth and soft tissue of the genitals can be affected.  Another 40 percent of people will experience joint inflammation producing arthritis-like symptoms known as psoriatic arthritis.

2.  Psoriasis is not contagious

No one can “catch” psoriasis from someone who has it.  Psoriasis is a genetic condition triggered by something in the immune system that goes haywire.  It can run in families so if one family member has it, it can increase your risk, particularly if one or both parents have it.  However, even if a relative has psoriasis, it does not automatically mean you will develop it also.  In fact, only 2 to 3 percent of people with the gene actually go on to develop the disease.

3.  People with psoriasis need some sun exposure

Sun exposure for psoriasis is actually a good thing but make it brief – about 20 minutes or so at a time.  Exposure to ultraviolet rays in sunlight helps to slow the growth of the cells affected and conditions usually improve during the summer when more skin is exposed to sunlight.  Be sure to use sunscreen as sunburn can trigger psoriasis and raise the risk of skin cancer. 

4.  Psoriasis affects both adults and children

Psoriasis is mainly seen in adults but it can occur in all age groups.  Between the ages of 15 and 30 is usually when it is first discovered with most people who are going to get the disease will have it by age 40.  However, for some people, it may not begin until in your 50s or after. 

5.  Foods do not trigger flare-ups of psoriasis

Some people may blame food for being a trigger for making psoriasis worse.  This is not the case. Symptoms of psoriasis can come and go but the most likely things contributing to a flare-up are stress, strep throat, skin injuries such as a cut, scratch, or bad sunburn, and cold, dry weather. 

6.  Exercise should not be avoided

Exercise can play a major role in the treatment of psoriasis.  The reason is up to 7 percent of people with psoriasis are overweight.  By exercising, this helps control weight.  Obesity can lead to chronic inflammation which may worsen psoriasis. In addition, regular physical activity helps reduce the risk of heart disease which people with psoriasis are already at a greater risk for.  For those with psoriatic arthritis, moderate exercise can improve joint pain and stiffness while increasing flexibility and improve endurance.

7.  Psoriasis is unlikely to appear on your face

The most common places for psoriasis to show up are your scalp, knees, hands, elbows, and feet.  Even though it can cover large sections of your body, it rarely affects the face.  If it does, it usually appears around the eyebrows and forehead. 

8.  There are effective treatments for psoriasis

There are many different treatment options for psoriasis.  Everyone with this condition will respond in various ways so what works for one person may not work for someone else.  There are topical treatments such as anthralin, coal tar, emollients, salicylic acid, topical corticosteroids and tazarotene that can help mild to moderate psoriasis.  For more serious cases, treatment with UV light therapy and systemic prescription treatments like cyclosporine, methotrexate, retinoids, biologic response modifiers, and acitretin may work.