How Well Do You Understand Psoriasis?

Many of us still do not understand the skin disorder called psoriasis. People with this skin condition would generally have an area of the body, usually the elbows, knees, scalp and or groin, covered in scaly patches that are reddish. Some still avoid being near someone who suffer from this skin condition because of the fear of getting it. Some even avoid skin to skin contact or avoid sharing the same breathing space with a person who has psoriasis. Such notion about this skin disorder is absolutely wrong. Psoriasis is not contagious and one can not get it simply by being in contact or being near someone who has this condition.

Understanding Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disorder that happens when skin cells are growing too quickly. Normally new skin cells form in a matter of weeks. However the formation of new skin cells on a person with psoriasis happens just in days. Because of the rapid formation of new skin cells, there is an excess of skin cells which the body does not shed therefore the excess cells pile up on the skin’s surface which results to lesions. The rapid formation of new skin cells is attributed to faulty signals in the immune system.

The Causes of Psoriasis

Scientists are still studying what causes psoriasis and they are baffled by the complexity of this skin condition. What we do know is that one’s immune system and genes are crucial players in its development. In a study of the immune system, scientists were able to find out that a specific type of white blood cell called the T cells which protects us from bacteria, viruses and other invaders erroneously starts a reaction in the skin cells. This reaction triggers another set of reaction which results to the rapid formation of skin cells. The erroneous triggering of reaction by the T cells is most likely connected to our DNA.

For a person to get psoriasis, one has to inherit genes that cause this skin disorder and numerous genes are responsible for causing psoriasis. However scientists also revealed that not all who inherits the psoriasis genes develop this skin condition. For psoriasis to happen, it seems that a person should get just the right combination of genes plus be exposed to a trigger. Triggers are commonly a stressful situation or life event, injury on the skin and getting a strep throat.

Psoriasis still has no cure up to this day. However there are ways on how one can manage the uncomfortable symptoms of this skin condition – usually severe itching and sometimes pain especially during a flare up.

Moisturizer: A Must-Have for Psoriasis

Keeping the skin moisturized is essential in managing psoriasis. A great skin moisturizer is the Argan oil. The oil is loaded with nutrients having moisturizing properties such as Vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and sterols. Dry skin can trigger and aggravate flare-ups. So follow the “always apply a moisturizer” skin care tip if you want to avoid flare-ups.