What is
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes your skin to have dry thick patches of red skin covered with scales that are commonly located on elbows, knees, legs, lower back, scalp and feet. Psoriasis can be very painful and affect your ability to function. There are five type of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, pustular, inverse, anderythrodemic. Plaque Psoriasis is probably the most common; 80 percent of people who have psoriasis have this type. It consists of hard, red, patches covered with white scales. Guttate psoriasis is second most common, which consists of small, red spots on skin. Pustular psoriasis, which is usually located on feet, is very rare; it consists of raised, pus bumps on skin. Inverse occurs in the fold of skins. Erythrodermic is the least common, which can be cause by sunburn or medication
Causes
Psoriasis is caused when the life cycle of skin cells speeds up. Skin cells usually die and flake off, but this happens within days for people who have psoriasis. Psoriasis can be caused by a number of things like climate, stress, certain medication, and illnesses.
Symptoms
Psoriasis symptoms depend on the person. It could include red patches of skin covered with scales, small red spots, dry and cracked skin, burning sensation, swollen and stiff joints. Mild cases of psoriasis maybe irritating, but if it is severe it can be very serious and painful
Treatment
There is no cure for psoriasis, but there is an array of treatments. Medication is usually the best treatment for psoriasis. There are many medications that can help treat this disease like anthralin, coal tar ointments, dovonex, or tazorac. This medication will help slow down the life cycle of skin cell. You could also apply fish oil supplements that might reduce the inflammation of psoriasis. Also reducing your consumption of foods with proteins like meat and dairy products can help since they increase inflammation.
Prevention
There are no ways to prevent psoriasis, but you can try and reduce it by avoiding dry climate, avoid scratching and picking skin, and stress and anxiety.