Psoriasis: a disease that persists – BrandStudio

The following factors may trigger psoriasis flare-ups or make them more difficult to treat:

• Bacterial or viral infections, including strep throat and upper respiratory tract infections
• Dry air or dry skin
• Skin injuries such as cuts, burns, insect bites, and other rashes
• Certain medications, such as antimalarials, beta-blockers, and lithium
• pressure
• Too little sunshine
• Excessive sun exposure (sunburn)

Main points

• Psoriasis may be more severe in people with weakened immune systems, including people with HIV/AIDS.
• Some people with psoriasis also have arthritis (psoriatic arthritis). Additionally, people with psoriasis are at increased risk for fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease and stroke.

Psoriasis manifests itself in varying degrees:

• Mild: Symptoms cover less than 3% of the body.
• Moderate: Symptoms affect 3% to 10% of the body.
• Severe: Symptoms cover more than 10% of the body.

Consultation preparation

You may need to see your primary health care provider first. In some cases, they may refer you directly to a dermatologist (dermatologist).

The following information will help you prepare for your doctor’s appointment and understand what you can expect from your health care provider.

what can you do

List the following:

• Symptoms you are experiencing, including those that may not appear to be related to the reason for your appointment.
• All medications, vitamins, and herbs you take, including dosage.
• Questions to ask your healthcare provider.

For psoriasis, basic questions you might ask include:

• What could be causing my signs and symptoms?
• Do I have to undergo diagnostic testing?
• What treatments are available and which one do you recommend?
• What side effects may occur?
• Will the recommended treatment relieve my symptoms?
• How soon will I receive results?
• What are the alternatives to the main approach you pointed out?
• I also have other illnesses. How can I control these conditions simultaneously?
• What skin care routines and products are recommended to improve my symptoms?

What to expect from a doctor

Your healthcare provider may ask you several questions, such as:

• When did you start experiencing symptoms?
• How often do you experience these symptoms?
• Are these symptoms constant or occasional?
• Is there anything I can do to make the symptoms better?
• Does anything seem to make symptoms worse?

Where psoriasis occurs on the body affects quality of life

A recent article in Journal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis® The study, created through a collaboration between the International Psoriasis Council (IPC) and the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), examines the impact of psoriasis lesions on quality of life in selected locations.

The article, “Psoriasis affecting specific areas is associated with poorer quality of life, depression, and limited ability to participate in social roles and activities,” shares the results of a three-year NPF survey. Analysis shows that psoriasis in specific locations can have a dramatic impact, reducing quality of life and affecting a patient’s ability to participate in social roles.

These results bring data from patients’ own experiences into the conversation about how best to update current disease severity measures to include consideration of disease location. Traditionally, the percentage of the body covered by psoriatic lesions has been used to determine severity, but this study highlights the fact that psoriasis in certain areas (listed below) can greatly impact a person’s quality of life .

Of the more than 4,000 people who completed the survey, 84% reported having spotted psoriasis. These patients were less likely to be able to participate in social roles and activities and were 126% more likely to suffer from depression.

Sources: MedlinePlus, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mayo Clinic, and National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.