Before starting the search for treatment options for psoriasis including various home remedies for psoriasis, an understanding of what psoriasis is, is required. Derived from the Greek word which means "itch", psoriasis affects about 2% of the population and is a persistent and chronic skin condition that usually shows up between 15 and 30 years of age and may become a lifelong battle since there is currently no psoriasis cure.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is commonly characterized by skin eruptions featuring pinkish red, thick patches of skin that are often covered by silvery scales. Lesser types of psoriasis may include pus filled bumps or smooth red skin that may be misdiagnosed as some other type of disease.
What Causes Psoriasis?
The causes for psoriasis remain unknown but the condition is not contagious and can affect anyone. Researchers have tied it to a malfunction in the autoimmune system that causes the process of skin growth and regeneration to abnormally occur. Why this malfunction occurs is unknown but has been tied to having a family history of psoriasis in about 1/3 of all psoriasis cases. It is important to note that just having a family history of the condition does not necessarily mean that you shall develop this condition. Conversely, not having a family history does not mean that you shall not develop this condition either.
Skin growth and regeneration takes place in about a month normally and is usually unnoticed. When psoriasis is involved, this skin regeneration when old skin cells on the upper layer of the skin are discarded to make way for the newer skin cells beneath takes place in about four to five days and produces noticeable blemishes. The reddish pink appearance of the areas affected by psoriasis is due to the increased blood flow required for the accelerated growth of new skin cells.
This accelerated skin regeneration leads to this skin buildup that can be very dry, irritating and can also itch or burn. Various home remedies for psoriasis in addition to other treatments can help minimize these dry, irritating, itchy patches.
Symptoms of psoriasis vary from being extremely severe and debilitating to mild symptoms. About four hundred people die from psoriasis related causes annually according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.
What Areas Does Psoriasis Affect?
Psoriasis can affect any area of the body but it commonly shows up in areas such as the knees, elbows, scalp, lower back and fingernails. There also seems to be a relationship between a certain type of arthritis and psoriasis.
Psoriasis Triggers
When searching for the most effective treatment options which may include finding various home remedies for psoriasis, it is also important to determine what is triggering your psoriasis flare-ups. Common psoriasis triggers include injury or burn to the skin, certain drugs, changes in seasons with the winter months leading to more flare-ups than other seasons, surgical incision, certain infections such as strep, etc. Another very common psoriasis trigger is stress and anxiety.
This chronic skin condition may be very difficult to deal with and keep under control. It can rob you of your self esteem and confidence but there are various remedies for psoriasis that can help you effectively manage and control this condition so that you can enjoy a full and productive life even in the absence of a psoriasis cure. Many of these treatment options include very effective home remedies for psoriasis that have produced many positive results in psoriasis sufferers and a few are discussed on this website to help you achieve victory over this condition.
