What is the skin condition psoriasis, what are its causes, and how is the disorder treated?

By Tom Gillespie

THE skin condition psoriasis affects thousands of men and women across the UK, with many sufferers believing there is an enormous amount of stigma around the disorder.

Kim Kardashian has revealed she has finally learned to live with the condition which she described as her “biggest flaw”.
Despite it being relatively common many people out there will still be unaware as to what the condition is… so here is a guide to everything you need to know about psoriasis.
What is psoriasis?
The condition causes red and crusty patches with silvery scales to flare-up on the skin.
They normally appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, but can crop up anywhere on the body.
The patches can sometimes be itchy or sore.
Roughly 2% of the population are affected by psoriasis and the number is roughly split equally between men and women.
Its severity varies from person to person and for some people it is merely a small irritation.
In more serious cases it can have a crushing impact on a sufferer’s life.
What are its causes?
Psoriasis isn’t fully understood by health professionals but it is thought to be caused by a problem with the immune system.
People with the condition have increased production of skin cells.
Normally skin cells are replaced over a three to four week period.
When someone has psoriasis this process only lasts six or seven days and that’s what causes the red patches to emerge.
In people with psoriasis the immune system accidentally attacks healthy skin cells by mistake.
The disorder is thought to run in the family but the precise role genetic plays is unclear.
Many people’s symptoms are “triggered” – meaning the rash will occur when they injure the skin, get a throat infection, or use certain medicines.
How is psoriasis treated and diagnosed?
A GP can usually spot it simply by its appearance on the skin, but sometimes they will take a small sample to be examined under a microscope.
This will rule out other skin disorders.
Psoriasis has no cure but treatments can reduce the itchiness and the appearance of skin patches.
Topical treatments, meaning creams and ointments, can be rubbed into the skin.
If these aren’t effective that phototherapy can be used to treat it.
This involves the skin being exposed to ultraviolet light.
In truly severe cases oral or injected medicines are available that work throughout the whole body.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/1711151/what-is-the-skin-condition-psoriasis-what-are-its-causes-and-how-is-the-disorder-treated/