Dealing with psoriasis in the summer: 3 key questions answered

From virginmediatelevision.ie/xpose

Summer can be a time of heightened anxiety for people living with psoriasis. Liz Connor takes a look.

Psoriasis affects around two in every 100 people in the UK and you can get it at any age in life, male or female.
The British Skin Foundation says that although psoriasis is a long-term condition, it can often come and go throughout your lifetime, which means people affected will usually experience flare-ups followed by periods where symptoms calm down.

Exactly why some people develop it and others don’t isn’t entirely clear. The condition is characterised by dry, raised, scaly patches of skin, which may be itchy and sometimes sore and painful.
These patches (called ‘plaques’) tend to occur because of an increased production of skin cells. Usually, skin cells are replaced every three to four weeks, but with psoriasis this process can happen between three to seven days.

                                                  Psoriasis isn’t contagious (iStock/PA)

It’s good to remember that psoriasis is not infectious, so you can’t pass it on to someone else by being in close contact, or sharing a swimming pool or beach towel for instance. But that doesn’t necessarily make it any easier to deal with, and living with a chronic skin condition can take a toll psychologically and socially, as well as physically.
For some people with psoriasis, summer can be a tricky time – as the hot weather means having more skin on display, or being uncomfortable in the heat if you’re still covering up.
Having psoriasis is nothing to be ashamed of – lots more celebrities have been opening up about their experiences of the condition in recent years, so awareness is thankfully improving – but if you are finding it a challenge to cope with, you’re not alone. Support is out there, though, and your GP is a good first port of call.

Here, we looked at some common skincare questions around dealing with psoriasis in the summer…

How can I relieve psoriasis symptoms?Currently, there’s no cure for psoriasis, but there are lots of treatments that may help to relieve your symptoms and manage flare-ups.
Treatments tend to fall into three categories: Topical creams and ointments that are applied to your skin, phototherapy, and oral and injected medications that work throughout the entire body.

                                      There are lots of different treatments available (iStock/PA)

It’s a good idea to consult with your doctor ahead of your summer holiday, as some treatments may work better for you than others – and you may need to use a combination.
Your doctor will explain when and how to treat your symptoms, and how to use any prescribed treatments properly and safely.
If symptoms are particularly severe and ongoing, a referral to a dermatologist, who can give more specialist advice, is a good idea.

Can sunlight help my psoriasis?
Some people find that sunlight makes their psoriasis better, as the sun’s UVB light can slow the production of new skin cells. In fact, light therapy (phototherapy) – where a registered dermatologist administers artificial light to the affected areas – is a common treatment for psoriasis that’s prescribed in the UK.
It’s important to remember about protecting your skin in the sun though. Experts warn that some psoriasis medicines can make you more sensitive to the sun – so it’s a good idea to speak to your GP or dermatologist before heading off on a particularly hot holiday.

Everybody, whether or not they have a skin condition, needs to be aware of skin cancer risks from sun damage too, and take sensible steps to stay protected. As well as avoiding too long outdoors when the sun’s at its hottest and covering up with hats and sunglasses, etc, don’t forget to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. If you have very sensitive skin, seek advice about the best sun creams to avoid aggravating any sore patches.
One day in the sun isn’t likely to clear up psoriasis – as the skin adapts to effects of the sun gradually – so experts suggest you could try to get outside for 10 minutes per day, over the course of several days, to test if your skin reacts positively to sunlight.

Will chlorine make it worse?
It’s tempting to take a dip for relief when your skin is feeling tight and itchy, but chlorine is a chemical that can make dry patches worse and possibly cause further skin irritation for some people.
That said, being submerged in warm water can often soften hard areas of skin, so the best way to avoid irritation from chlorine is to take a shower immediately after getting out of the pool. It also goes without saying that you should avoid getting in the pool if you have any particularly bad patches that are bleeding or oozing.

© Press Association 2019

https://www.virginmediatelevision.ie/xpose/article/lifestyle/292029/Dealing-with-psoriasis-in-the-summer-3-key-questions-answered

Scaly Skin Causes And Natural Remedies

From medicaldaily.com

Have you ever noticed red patches on your skin with a silvery coating of some kind? If it’s pretty consistent, there is a chance that you may have plaque psoriasis. This is often found on your elbows, lower back, scalp and knees.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease in which your skin cells’ process of maturity speeds up to the point that it reaches the surface. Since the old skin cells remain unchanged, the new skin cells tend to thicken and be covered with flaking skin.

According to Health.com, the precise cause of this skin condition isn’t quite clear yet. Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, explains that “something is happening at the level of the T-cell, one of the immune cells in our body, that signals the skin to overproduce.”

Gohara shares that genetics play an important role in the formation of psoriasis. The National Psoriasis Foundation stated that about one-third of those who suffer from psoriasis have a close family member who is also affected by the same condition.

In addition, this skin condition can come and go with different degrees of attacks and severity. Psoriasis may very well be triggered by physical illnesses, emotional stress or even skin injuries. There aren’t any specific cure for scaly skin, psoriasis, eczema and such, but there are home remedies for dry skin.

1. Sunflower seed oil
The sunflower seed oil has been proven to improve hydration, especially when used as a moisturizer on one’s arms. In a 2013 study, it was concluded that olive oil actually damages the skin’s barrier, which removes it from the list of natural oils that can be used as ingredients for moisturizers.

2. Oatmeal bath
If you are looking for ways to eliminate dry scaly skin on legs or on your face, then you ought to try making an oatmeal bath for yourself. Since oatmeal is considered a natural ingredient, it can be beneficial for when you are treating dry skin.

3. Coconut oil
It is true that coconut has so many health benefits. For one, coconut oil works well with dry skin since it tends to function as the natural version of “petroleum jelly” for treating dry and scaly skin. Not only does it hydrates the skin, but it also increases the number of lipids on the skin’s surface.

                                                    Photo by Romina Farias on Unsplash

In the United States, a little over 2 percent of the population — or an estimated 7.5 million Americans— have psoriasis.

https://www.medicaldaily.com/scaly-skin-causes-natural-remedies-439761

How Psoriatic Disease Can Affect Your Personal Life (and What to Do About It)

From everydayhealth.com

Chronic inflammatory conditions can change relationships with friends and family.

As someone who has lived with psoriatic arthritis for 30 years, Diane Talbert knows that the condition can take a toll on your personal life.
“Having relationships with my family and friends has been hard,” says Talbert, 61, who lives in Waldorf, Maryland. “People don't understand when you’re in pain and fatigued. They don't understand when you say, ‘I can't make it.’”
Like many people with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), which causes joint pain, Talbert also has psoriasis. The latter is an autoimmune disease that causes scaly, red, itchy skin, which can complicate social situations even further.

Diane Talbert says her husband, Alvin, has been her biggest supporter since day one.

Photo Courtesy of Diane Talbert

“I would avoid any place where I had to go that would require me to show any of my skin,” says Talbert. “No exceptions. If it was 100 degrees outside, I had on long shirts and long pants. Before I met my husband, I learned how to cover up very well.”

A Years-Long Bond Formed Through Honesty and Support

When she first met her husband, Alvin, Diane’s body was about 90 percent covered with the psoriasis rash. But Alvin has always been an understanding partner.
“He has been my biggest supporter since day one, and it has been 25 years,” she says. “My husband understood from the first day I met him. I was covered from head to toe in scales and just an emotional mess.”
Today, the couple has two sons and four grandchildren. The secret to their long-lasting union has always been honesty.
“Not sure if you have to bare all on the first date, but get it out soon,” Talbert says. “Don't be scared to share your story.”
On days when Diane can’t use her hands, or the pain is so bad that she can barely walk or raise her arms, she lets her husband know.
“Communication will help,” she says. “Let your significant other know what is going on with you. Sometimes just keep it short and sweet.”

Counselling Can Help Manage Social Isolation and Depression

From a very young age, Diane had to face her own feelings of isolation and others' misconceptions about her condition — such as the mistaken belief that psoriasis is contagious (it’s not).
When Diane was in grade school, doctors quarantined her for three months believing that the skin disease might spread to others.
“I was quarantined at 5 years old. I was in the hospital for three months,” she recalls. “My parents helped me stay ahead with my homework, and my teacher came by regularly to see me once the doctors knew what I had.”
Back at school, she refused to go to gym class because it meant exposing the scaly skin on her arms and legs.
“I could never open up about my feelings to anyone,” Talbert says. “I had low self-esteem, I didn't want to interact with other children. I was depressed most of my childhood.”

Such feelings of depression are natural and difficult to overcome, according to Jason Faller, MD, a rheumatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
“Some people think that once they have arthritis life is over,” says Dr. Faller. “Some people blame themselves. They think they did something wrong, or they think they deserved it and it’s a punishment. We try to dissuade them from these notions.”
Faller sometimes advises patients to seek counselling from psychologists and therapists to help them overcome feelings of depression and improve social interactions.

Can’t Find a Nearby Support Group? Create Your Own

Support groups can be very effective to build relationships. If one doesn’t exist near you, Talbert suggests starting your own — like she did. She ran an ad in the local newspaper, and 32 people showed up to the first meeting.
“I ran a support group for 10 years,” she says. “It was a place where we came together to share our fears, doubts, experiences, and just overall life. So many of us are alone with this journey, and we need support so that we don't feel alone.”
She stresses, “Don’t be ashamed to tell your story. I used to feel sorry for myself and want others to feel sorry for me, but today I just talk to someone as if I was talking about how high my cholesterol is.”

Finding the Right Treatment for Your Condition and Lifestyle

“You have to realize that you are no different from anyone else,” Talbert says. “You have an illness. I have joint stiffness along with swelling and stiffness. My psoriasis will show up at any time, and we never know how bad a flare will be. The good news is that we can manage our illness and get treatments.”
After she began taking biologic medications in 2004, Talbert’s interactions with other people improved. The drugs have not only cleared most of her skin lesions, they have decreased her psoriatic arthritis pain.
“Many patients can be effectively treated today, so it does not affect their relationships and interactions,” says Mark Genovese, MD, the director of the rheumatology clinic at Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto, California. “The goal for most patients is to maintain an entirely normal lifestyle and suffer no disability or alteration in work or recreational lifestyle.”
The bottom line, Talbert says, is that “friends, family, and partners have to realize that the person who is diagnosed is still the same person.”

https://www.everydayhealth.com/psoriatic-arthritis/how-psoriatic-disease-can-affect-your-personal-life-what-about-it/

Weight matters in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis

From dermatologytimes.com

Obesity has frequently been dubbed an epidemic in the United States and is credited with causing or contributing to a wide variety of other chronic ailments, including cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis. However, it’s also a frequent comorbidity for another common set of connected conditions — psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

According to 2015-2016 Centres for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, obesity impacts approximately 93.3 million American adults. And, even though the exact incidence among individuals with psoriatic disease isn’t known, data shows obesity is prevalent in this patient population.

Despite its frequent occurrence, questions still exist about the role obesity plays in contributing to psoriatic disease and its severity. There’s also been growing discussion around whether weight loss and management can be an effective therapeutic avenue.

At a minimum, many industry experts agree addressing obesity can be a vital arrow in the quiver for treating psoriatic disease.
“Obesity is a very common comorbidity of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis,” says Mark Lebwohl, M.D., dermatology professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “It has a negative impact on the response to therapies so that many therapies don’t work as well.”
In fact, he says, existing research and clinical care interventions have shown patients who lose weight do respond better to psoriasis treatment.

Existing research and clinical care interventions have shown patients who lose weight do respond better to psoriasis treatment. (nikkikii - stock.adobe.com)

The impact of obesity
Obesity is known to cause low-grade inflammation. Fat cells produce pro-inflammatory mediators, such as tumour necrosis factor-α or interleukin 6, which can contribute to the inflammation associated with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
“What we do know is that our adipose tissue — or fat — is not inert. The latest research has shown it’s actually endocrinologically active,” says April Armstrong, M.D., MPH, associate dean of clinical research at Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. “There are certain types of adipokines or cytokines that are fat cells that actually help perpetuate the level of inflammation. They secrete a number of substances that make inflammation worse in our patients with psoriasis.”
Overall, she says, it’s clear obesity contributes to the exacerbation of psoriasis even if there’s a lack of clarity around whether it directly contributes to the development of the condition.

There is a growing body of evidence, however, that does point to a causal relationship. A study published in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease revealed the incidence of psoriatic arthritis grew with an increasing body mass index. Additionally, an Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases study produced similar results. According to the study findings, after age 18 psoriatic arthritis risk jumps 10% for every 10-pound weight gain. This impact points to a need for discussing the relationship between weight and psoriasis with young patients as soon as possible.

https://www.dermatologytimes.com/comorbidities-associated-plaque-psoriasis/weight-matters-psoriasis-psoriatic-arthritis