Skin diseases can happen to anyone, be it children, teenagers or adults. This is because the causes can vary from food, weather, skincare incompatibility, or allergies. One common skin disease is psoriasis. If affected, symptoms such as scaly and itchy skin will usually occur. The causative factors vary, as do the types. There are approximately 8 types of psoriasis in total!

Instead of being confused, Serenitree will explain more so we can avoid it!

Psoriasis & Causal Factors

Psoriasis itself can be recognised by symptoms of red patches, dry/scaly skin, thickening of the skin, uneven skin texture, and an itchy sensation in the inflamed area. Severe symptoms can include swollen and stiff joints or dry to cracked/bloody skin. If Sereni-Trees experiences some of these symptoms, it is possible that you could have psoriasis!

Take a peek at some of the contributing factors of this disease condition:

Family History

Psoriasis has a strong genetic component. If a family member has psoriasis, one’s risk of developing the condition increases.

Stress

Stress can trigger or worsen psoriasis symptoms. This is because the body’s reaction to stress can affect the immune system and trigger inflammation.

Trauma to the Skin

Injuries to the skin, such as scratches, burns, or insect bites, can also be a trigger for psoriasis.

Immune System Disorders

Immune system disorders can cause an abnormal response of the body to skin cells. When unaddressed, this can be a factor in psoriasis.

External factors such as cold weather

Skin exposed to extreme cold or dry weather tends to become drier and more prone to psoriasis.

Taking Medical Medicines

Some types of medications, such as high blood pressure medications and antimalarial drugs, have been linked to an increased risk of psoriasis or its symptoms.

Complications due to medical illness

Some medical illnesses, such as autoimmune diseases, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes, may increase a person’s risk of developing psoriasis or worsen its symptoms.

Other symptoms include streptococcal infection or HIV, obesity, and labour habits such as excessive drinking and smoking. There are indeed lots of possibilities! To avoid misdiagnosis, make sure to discuss your symptoms and skin condition with a professional, Sereni-Trees!

Recognise the 8 Types of Psoriasis

In addition to the symptoms, some of the types of psoriasis require different prevention and medical solutions. It is therefore important that we are careful in our diagnosis from the beginning. There are approximately 8 types of psoriasis, let’s recognise the symptoms:

Plaque Psoriasis

Symptoms include the development of red, scaly rashes called plaques on any part of the body. These plaques may cause itching and discomfort to the sufferer.

Psoriasis of the Nails

The condition can also affect the nails and cause a brownish or whitish discolouration of the nails, as well as small depressions or white spots on the nails. Nail growth may also be affected, becoming brittle or cracking.

Psoriasis of the Scalp

If it occurs on the scalp, symptoms usually include thick scales and itching all over the scalp. The rash can also spread beyond the hairline, so as well as being uncomfortable, it often makes sufferers self-conscious too!

Psoriasis Inversa

This type of psoriasis occurs in areas of the body that have folds, such as the armpits or other folds. The symptoms are a red rash that is smooth and itchy in the area, which can certainly interfere with daily activities.

Psoriasis Gutata

Psoriasis gutata is characterised by the appearance of rash spots that resemble water droplets. It usually appears on the upper body, arms, legs and skin. This rash can be painful and affect the physical appearance.

Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis is characterised by a red rash that stings, before eventually blistering and filling with pus. This condition can definitely cause significant pain and discomfort.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

This type causes a flaky, extremely itchy rash all over the body. The rash is also accompanied by an intense burning sensation.

Psoriasis Arthritis

This is the type of psoriasis that can affect the skin and joints. Often, sufferers will experience pain and redness in the joints, which can interfere with mobility and quality of life if not treated promptly!

From the symptoms, it’s clear that this skin disease is very disruptive to our confidence, comfort, and mobility. So, it’s best to tackle and prevent it from the early symptoms.

Preventing and Managing Psoriasis Condition

If you think you have psoriasis or want to prevent it, the first step is to check your skin condition with a professional. Usually, in addition to conducting an interview about the condition, we will also undergo a skin biopsy (with a sample of skin tissue, analysed in the laboratory). Only then can the doctor confirm and medically evaluate our skin condition/disease. If we have psoriasis, the severity can be measured through the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Serenitree recommends consulting a doctor immediately even if the symptoms are still small, it’s best to deal with it as early as possible!

Some solutions to psoriasis include topical medications/creams (corticosteroids, salicylates), Keratolytic medications (address the build-up of excess dead skin cells), Phototherapy (using UVB, psoralen, and ultraviolet A light), or systemic medications such as Methotrexate and Cyclosporine.

Do not worry, there are various solutions for each type of skin disease. However, prevention is better than cure! We can try to avoid psoriasis by:

Routinely bathe 2 times a day using Serenitree’s natural gentle body wash
Use Serenitree body lotion after showering (when the skin is still moist).
Be diligent in sunbathing at ideal hours (morning/afternoon) complete with protection (sunscreen)
Learn to manage stress well
Pay attention to nutritional intake, make sure it is balanced and healthy
Build good habits such as exercise, avoid bad habits such as smoking or drinking alcohol
Always use sunscreen (outdoor and indoor)

If we already do these things, then it is possible to prevent psoriasis. The point is to try to maintain a balance in eating, exercising, resting, and using skincare. Don’t forget to maintain good hygiene too!