Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes dead skin cells to build up more rapidly than normal. Basically skin cells grow and rise above the epidermis once a month. However, a psoriasis positive person’s skin cells would grow biweekly, instead of monthly, and the dead skin cells will accumulate on the skin’s surface quicker than the body can shed it. This overproduction of skin cells is due to an overactive immune system that mistaken healthy cells for dangerous intruders. Although, this disease can happen to anyone it is more common in people ranging from 15 to 35 years old.

Types of Psoriasis
There are five main types of psoriasis:

1. Erythrodermic: the infected area is large and very red
2. Guttate: small, pink-red spots appear in the infected area
3. Inverse: skin redness and irritation occurs in the armpits, groin, and anywhere the skin is overlapping
4. Plaque: this is the most common type of psoriasis and is evident through thick, red patches of skin being coveredwith flaky, white scales
5. Pustular: develops quickly, with pus-filled blisters appearing just hours after the skin becomes red and tender

Causes of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is seen more commonly within families. Due to this trait, psoriasis is assumed to be a genetic trait and passes among family members. Psoriasis is not contagious because it is caused by a person’s immune system, specifically overactive T cells. Right now, there are now definite cause, but it is assumed that both genetic and environmental factors can trigger psoriasis. Psoriasis triggers that should be avoided include:

• Skin abrasion, even mild ones can cause an outbreak of psoriasis
• Cold weather
• Dry skin
• Sunburn
• Viral or drug rashes
• Stress
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Certain drugs such as:
  • Chloroquine used to treat or prevent malaria
  • ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure
  • Lithium used to treat bipolar disorder
  • Indocin is an anti-inflammatory medication
  • Corticosteroids used to decrease inflammation and to reduce immune system activity

Symptoms of Psoriasis
Psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body that generates skin cells, but are more common on the elbows, knees, and torso. Psoriasis can appear suddenly or slowly and is seen as irritated patches on the skin. The skin patches may be:

• Itchy
• Dry and covered with silver, flaky skin
• Salmon colored
• Raised and thick, since it is an accumulation of dead skin cells

Treatment for Psoriasis
Most cases of psoriasis are treated with medications that are rubbed directly onto the skin or scalp:

• Cortisone creams and ointments
• Creams or ointments that contain coal tar or anthralin
• Creams that remove the scaling (active ingredient should include salicylic acid and/or lactic acid)
• Dandruff shampoo (if you have scalp psoriasis)
• Moisturizers
• Medicine containing vitamin D or vitamin A

Light Therapy (phototherapy) exposes the skin to natural or artificial UV light:

• UVB phototherapy
• Narrowband UVB therapy
• Goeckerman therapy
• Excimer laser
• Pulsed dye laser

Diet to Help Treat Psoriasis
There is no legit diet that has been proven to cure psoriasis but due to the research done on psoriasis patients there is a “suggestive” diet that has improved the occurrence of psoriasis. The “suggestive” diet that will help treat psoriasis include:

• Eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables
• Minimizing red meats, processed foods, and refined carbohydrates
• In taking small amounts of protein from fish and birds
• Taking fiber supplements and olive oil
• Increasing anti-inflammatory omega-3 fish oil intake
• A gluten-free diet, which would reduce anti-gliadian antibodies seen in people with psoriasis

Ultimately, when you suspect you might have psoriasis go visit your health care provider. It will save you a lot of pain and trouble in the long run.