This article represents the first of two articles dedicated to psoriasis. Here we will focus on the emotional and psychological aspects of living with psoriasis. In the second article (July 1st) we will turn our attention to the HOPE for psoriasis sufferers, including promising treatments currently being used, some to avoid and the new ones being developed, as well as some exciting research currently under way.
In the U.S. alone, psoriasis plagues nearly 7 million people. Generally, psoriasis manifests as a rash of raised reddened patches of different sizes and severity appearing on various parts of the body depending on the type of psoriasis. A white, brittle, decaying growth of dead skin cells generally covers the inflamed patches of skin. There are actually several different types of psoriasis, which we will discuss in next month's article.
Psoriasis is neither an infection nor an allergy. One third of psoriasis patients have a familial link to the disease. However, several other factors determine whether or not a psoriasis outbreak will actually occur. As with many inheritable diseases, our environment plays a crucial role in the path a disease will take. Major environmental factors contributing to psoriasis include stress, injury to the skin, infection (typically streptococcus), negative drug interaction, and hormonal changes. Psoriasis will not harm a pregnant woman or her baby. A woman might experience either a let up or a worsening of symptoms, however, triggered by the hormonal changes within her body during pregnancy.
Symptoms commonly disregarded and not included in a medical description of psoriasis are the many emotional battles resulting from the constant fight for what many people seems like a lost war. The cost alone of treating psoriasis (easily $800 per year) results in worry, anger and frustration, especially when treatments fail to offer any relief. The overall treatment process for psoriasis, including going to doctors, applying medication, and searching for comfortable clothing, is also extremely tiring and time consuming on a day to day basis.
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