Psoriasis Sufferers

Psoriasis affects approximately 3% of the population, or more than 125 million people. It is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases in the United States. There are as many as 7.5 million people in the United States suffering from psoriasis and about 30% of psoriasis sufferers also develop psoriatic arthritis.

There are five different kinds of psoriasis including: pustular, guttate, inverse, plaque and erythrodermic, with plaque being the most common form. Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body and is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression.

Psoriasis is believed to be genetic in nature and is not contagious. Researchers believe that for a person to develop psoriasis, the individual must have a combination of the genes that cause psoriasis and be exposed to specific external factors known as "triggers." Triggers include stress, injury to the skin and certain medications. Strep infection is known to trigger guttate psoriasis.

Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis experienced a greater negative impact on their quality of life. This is especially true of younger patients and female patients.

There are many prescription treatments for psoriasis. But are they safe? Some call for monthly liver treatments, watching for liver damage. Some topical treatments leave your skin thinner and more delicate, causing worse outbreaks of psoriasis. Injectable treatments compromise your immune system and make it difficult or impossible to heal, so the treatments must stop. And many psoriasis treatments are dangerous for developing fetuses.

Over the counter treatments may contain coal tar and leave stains on your clothing and leave you smelling like a cigarette smoker. Other OTC treatments can be greasy and leave oily stains on your clothing and bedclothes.

There are safe alternatives to standard treatments. If you are suffering with psoriasis, you can find help. Psoriasis doesn't have to keep you in long sleeves and long pants this summer. There are safe psoriasis treatments that will keep your skin smooth and soft.