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Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects close to one in fifty adults while at the same time causing considerable mental distress to those individuals that are afflicted with the condition. One of the more intriguing discoveries related to what causes psoriasis skin disease is that its onset is rooted within the body’s immune system.

Salmon colored skin which becomes scaly, flaky and irritated is among the common psoriasis symptoms. In the case of plaque psoriasis, which is also the most predominant type, the affected areas develop round, eliptical or irregular shaped areas of red that are covered with skin that is scaly and silver colored. There is no consistence in the size or form of the patchy areas and sometimes, several small patches can merge together and appear as a single big irregular shape of irritated skin. besides being unsightly, the skin in these areas occasionally cracks and starts bleeding.

Affected skin can be extremely sore and frequently has a burning sensation. There are no hard and fast rules as to how long any specific flare-up will last. It could disappear inside a week but on the other hand, you may be suffering for weeks on end. because psoriasis is classed as a chronic condition, the chances of recurring flare-ups in the same or different area of the body are very high.

Areas of the body that are typically affected include the torso, scalp, elbows and knees although any part of the body can develop symptoms of psoriasis. One unexplained anomaly is that flare-ups tend to be balanced in as much that both sides of the body will be affected in identical areas at the same time.

It appears that hereditary factors also play a part in who is likely to develop psoriasis. Individuals whose parents or grandparents suffered with the ailment have a greater prospect of developing it as well. For some obscure reason, T-cells, which are required to produce the white blood cells which help our bodies to fight infection, cause the skin to become inflamed. T-cells also somehow set off the production of an overabundance of skin cells. With nowhere else to go, these surplus skin cells pile up on top of one another and produce the telltale appearance of raised patches on the skin’s exterior. The red look is a result of increased blood supply that is necessary to nourish these skin cells.

Although not the causes of psoriasis, frequent triggers include sunlight, streptococcal infections and traumas, both past and present, to the skin. Anxiousness and stress can also spark an outbreak as can alterations in hormone levels. Higher incidences of psoriasis have also been observed in those individuals with the early stages of HIV infection. Cigarette smokers who also consume alcohol increase their risks of developing psoriasis.

Presently, there is still no recognized remedy for psoriasis. However there are many effective treatment choices that can ease the symptoms. Resisting the temptation to scratch the affected area and keeping it damp is a great start.

Localized treatments are used initially with the goal of slowing down the excess production of skin cells. Commonly employed localized treatments include anthrallin, coal tar, corticosteroids, salicylic acid and synthetic vitamin D. There are also a range of specially developed skin moisturizers and bathing products. Systemic medications are prescribed to treat more severe cases. Another effectual means of treating psoriasis is with the use of phototherapy, where, under strict medical supervision, the patient is exposed to ultra violet radiation.