Poor Hygiene Does Not Cause Psoriasis; Here's What Leads To This Chronic Skin Condition

From msn.com/en-in

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes crusty, flaky patches to appear on the skin, commonly on the knees, scalp, elbows, and back. These patches present as red on light skin and may appear violet or purple on dark-coloured skin. While experts say it is difficult to find the exact prevalence of psoriasis, studies have found that psoriasis varies between 0.14 per cent of the population in East Asia to 1.99 per cent in the rest of the world.

Apart from the physical aspects of the condition, it also affects the daily lives of those who have it with many even facing stigma. And so, according to experts, there is a need to dispel several myths regarding it.

                                              Poor hygiene does not cause psoriasis; here's what leads to this chronic skin condition

Does having poor hygiene cause psoriasis?

The most common misconception regarding psoriasis is that it may be caused by a person’s poor personal hygiene. However, according to experts, it is not true. Doctors say those with psoriasis have to be scrupulous about self-care, as the skin is so sore and flaky that it needs constant care.

Also, psoriasis treatment needs deep treatment, which for some goes on twice a day—managing body areas like the scalp, because if it is left, it will become very difficult to manage very quickly.

According to experts, a flare-up of psoriasis leads to symptoms due to contact with a trigger, which could be an irritant or an allergen. Psoriasis outbreaks differ from person to person. Common triggers include:

• Emotional stress
• An infection
• A skin injury like cuts or scrapes
• Certain medications like lithium and beta-blockers
• Changes in body temperature due to the weather

Also, doctors say genetics play a big role in the development of psoriasis, as your genetic predisposition significantly impacts the likelihood of the condition passing down the families.

How does psoriasis flare up?

If you have psoriasis, your immune system—which destroys foreign invaders to keep you healthy and prevent you from getting sick, works overtime, mistaking healthy cells for foreign invaders. As a result, it creates inflammation or swelling, which you see on the surface of your skin as skin plaques.

Doctors say it normally takes up to 30 days for new skin cells to grow and replace old skin cells. Your overreactive immune system causes the timeline of new skin cell development to change to three to four days. The speed of new cells replacing old cells creates scales and frequent skin shedding on top of skin plaques.

Is there any treatment for psoriasis?

While it does not have a cure, there are several treatment options that can help relieve psoriasis symptoms. A few of these include:

• Steroid creams
• Moisturizers
• Medication that helps slow skin cell production
• Medicated shampoos
• Vitamin D3 ointment.
• Retinoid creams

Creams or ointments may be enough to improve the rash in small areas of your skin. If your rash affects larger areas, or if you also have joint pain, you may need other treatments.

https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/health-news/poor-hygiene-does-not-cause-psoriasis-here-s-what-leads-to-this-chronic-skin-condition/ar-AA1zyGIA