Skin Disease

Winter is not the best time of the year for those who suffer from psoriasis. There is a lot of controversy over the years about this disease. Some insist that it is incurable while others claim that it can be permanently cured. Let us understand psoriasis, it is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Psoriasis is characterised by thick, red flaky patches all over the body. It affects elbows, knees, scalp, lower back areas, in some cases nails get disfigured or the joints get infected. What causes this skin condition is a type of white blood cell known as T lymphocytes, they are a part of our immune system but when they go awry it causes inflammation of the skin.

These cells also increase the skin turnover, the normal skin renewal is every 20 to 30 days but when infected with psoriasis the skin renewal happens every 3 to 5 days. This leads to over accumulation and consequent flaking. Skin cells dont get enough time to mature and are therefore not adequately developed. Psoriasis is not contagious but can run in families.

There are treatment options to control inflammation and regularise the skin cell cycle. But if treatment is interrupted, a relapse is inevitable. Psoriasis poses the threat of remission, during this phase even if treatment is discontinued, there is no sign of psoriasis for weeks, months or even years. But the disease can recur anytime. It flares up in cold, dry climate. Emotional stress and alcohol can also accelerate the disease. Exposure to sunlight for 15 to 20 minutes daily, helps.

If the affected area is less than 10% of the body surface, ointments are the most appropriate. Options include a Vitamin D or Vitamin A derivative, coristeroid ointment, coal tar applications or an agent called anthralin. If the condition doesn’t improve with external applications, oral drugs may be required. Another alternative treatment is use of light UV B rays.