What is psoriasis? Psoriasis (say...

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis (say: "sor-eye-ah-sus") is a skin enigma that causes thick red marks like scales forward your skin. The thick scaling is probably caused according to an increase in the number of skin solitary abode; squalids Sometimes pus-filled blisters form. most numerous of the time, the skin upon the elbows and knees is affected, nevertheless psoriasis can occur anywhere forward the body, including the scalp, fingernails, and entrance and even the skin from one side of to the other your joints.

Doctors are not confident what causes psoriasis. It appear to bes to get worse in many persons when they are under stres or if they have an infection. near medicines make psoriasis worse.

Is psoriasis contagious?

No. You will not catch psoriasis from another bodily substance or give it to someone by dint of touching him or her.

by what means is psoriasis treated?

Your doctor will decide which treatment is right for you. Keeping your skin moisturized with an over-the-counter lotion is a convenient first step. Body lotion can help transport the scales.

Prescription creams, ointments, lotions, and gel (all are called topical medicines) that you deposit on the affected areas are frequently used to treat psoriasis. Your doctor may reveal you to put your medicine onward the areas of psoriasis before you journey to bed and then guard the treated areas with plastic wrap (such as Saran Wrap).

Special soaps and shampoos are used for psoriasis in succession the face and scalp. If you have a strait-laced case, you doctor might have you take pills. Other treatments include using a special kind of ultraviolet light.

Sunlight can help psoriasis, yet be careful not to stay in the orb of day too long. A sunburn can make your psoriasis worse. You should levy a sunscreen on the parts of your skin that are not affected at psoriasis. It is especially important to bring sunscreen on your face.

Will psoriasis journey away with treatment?

The scales of psoriasis should achieve better almost right away after you start treatment. It may take brace to six weeks for the affected areas of your skin to become more normal, and the rednes may last several month While psoriasis will win better, it may not all go on away. Some scaly spots may win better at the same time other specks get worse.

After you have been using a certain kind of medicine for a while, your psoriasis may "get used to" the medicine. If this happens, that medicine will not work as well as it used to. Your doctor may change your medicine or give you a stronger dose of medicine. Talk to your doctor if your psoriasis does not appear to be to be getting better with treatment.

Where can I learn more information about psoriasis?

National Psoriasis Foundation

Telephone: 1-800-723-9166

Web address: www.psoriasis.org

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group