Updated: 15-05-2025
Psoriasis: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment
Psoriasis is a common skin problem that can occur in anyone.
However, it has been observed that people in the 15 to 35 age group are easy targets of this problem.
It is a skin condition in which skin cells of patients develop faster than compared of a normal person.
Understanding Psoriasis
- It is a natural mechanism of the human body to develop new skin cells in a month, and new skin replaces the older skin.
- However, the skin of psoriasis patients grows within weeks, because of which dead skin cells accumulate on the surface of the skin.
- This accumulated dead skin causes thick patches of dry, red, and itchy skin that may, sometimes, be painful.
- This problem affects around 2% of people worldwide.
- The scalp, knees, elbows, feet, hands, and nails are more commonly affected by this skin condition.
- 10 to 20 percent of people with psoriasis are affected by psoriasis arthritis.
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Causes of Psoriasis
The exact trigger of this skin problem is still a mystery.
Researchers have been working on this skin problem since 30 years so that they could find the Master Switch of this chronic skin problems.
But, unfortunately, they have not yet got any success and hence the exact cause of this skin condition is still unknown.
However, they have found a combination of factors that trigger this problem.
- Environmental factors and genetic predisposition are supposed to be responsible for it.
- It has been observed that this problem is more often found in those people whose family members are affected by it; however, it is not a contagious problem.
- The immune system is also considered a major factor in this regard.
- Besides, some other risk factors are a viral or bacterial infection, obesity, smoking, certain medicines used for bipolar disorder, high blood pressure, and uncontrolled stress as well.
Symptoms of Psoriasis
It cannot be said that everyone has similar symptoms of psoriasis.
They differ from person to person.
However, people suffering from it can display one or more signs or symptoms that are given here.
- Red patches of skin wrapped with silvery scales
- Dry and Cracked skin
- Itching
- Soreness
- Burning
- Thickened, ridged, or pitted nail
- Swollen and stiff joints
- Small scaling spots
It most often affects the elbows, scalp, and knees.
However, it can affect any part of the body.
Psoriasis patches may vary in size; they may be small spots like scaling, or they may cover a large area as well.
In common cases, it is seen that psoriasis undergoes a sequence of weeks and months, and later, it subsides for a time or goes off completely.
How is psoriasis treated?
As it is a skin-related problem, it requires a skin specialist, who is called a dermatologist, for treatment.
It has no cure. The treatment for this skin condition involves only decreasing skin irritation and inflammation.
Doctors prescribe ointments or creams like vitamin D analogues, salicylic acid, topical corticosteroids, topical retinoids, and moisturisers as a part of topical treatments.
Light Therapy Treatment for Psoriasis.
Another therapy called light therapy, in which skin is exposed under medical supervision to ultraviolet light or natural light, has been found to reduce the development of new skin cells.
Moreover, if it is in a serious stage and no therapy works, medication is prescribed so that the immune system can be suppressed.
What to Eat and Not to Eat for Psoriasis
No scientific evidence has been found that recommends or mentions the specific food that should be taken by people affected by psoriasis.
It has been noticed that losing weight is beneficial in easing symptoms.
So, it is recommended to take a healthy, balanced diet so that you may have control over being overweight as well as psoriasis.
A balanced, healthy diet also reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease and hence is good for the overall well-being of your health.
Is it contiguous?
Although nothing definite has been said about psoriasis being contagious, it has been observed that more often if the family members suffer from this skin disease, others also in some way acquire it, and hence the whole family is at risk of getting it.
Doctors think that it has nothing to do with the contagious nature of the disease, but it has more to do with the genetic predisposition and the environment.
Can psoriasis be a seasonal problem, like it can be more in winter?
People with the problem of psoriasis have some worst days in winter because the days of the fall or winter are comparatively shorter than in other seasons.
During winter, temperature decreases, and the air becomes dry, leading to a worsening of psoriasis symptoms.
In winter, people spend less time outside, due to which they fail to get sunlight’s ultraviolet rays that are the most beneficial for psoriasis, as these rays reduce the growth of skin cells.
Contrary to that, the symptoms improve during hot weather.
Things to Do and Avoid for Psoriasis
- Although this skin problem does not have a cure, several treatments can ease psoriasis symptoms.
Some of them include:
- Dietary supplements like fish oil, milk thistle, vitamin D, and evening primrose oil are recommended for people with it.
- A humidifier is also used to keep the air moist.
- Sensitive skin moisturisers are also very useful in psoriasis.
- People with psoriasis are advised to use only those products that are made for sensitive skin.
- Dyes and fragrances are found in most of the soaps and perfumes, and these products can exacerbate psoriasis.
- You must eat a balanced diet, as certain foods can trigger psoriasis symptoms.
- Red meat and fatty foods should be avoided.
- Soya, chocolates, nuts, and cranberries are some functional foods that are recommended by the National Psoriasis Foundation.
- Doctors advise both men and women suffering from this skin disease to limit their intake of alcohol and also to avoid smoking, as it can flare up the symptoms of psoriasis.
- Remain stress-free and try doing relaxing stretches and yoga poses, as stress can also flare up psoriasis.
Is there a cure for Psoriasis
Several therapies and other natural and home remedies are useful for psoriasis, and they ease symptoms, and you can get relief, but as far as a cure for psoriasis is considered, there is no cure for it.
The clear cause of this problem is yet to be discovered.
Some therapies can help ease symptoms only. Some home remedies include:
- Psoriasis patients should avoid using hot water; however, a lukewarm bath is best for them. Add mineral oil, olive oil, milk, and Epsom salt to lukewarm bathwater.
- Pat your skin dry immediately after bathing and apply moisturiser for double benefits.
- This routine is extremely beneficial for infiltrating plaques and scales and for soothing itching.
- Massaging vegetable oils on psoriasis patches helps to loosen the dead skin cells and gives you relief from itching.
Can psoriasis affect the whole body?
It is mainly seen on the elbows, scalp, and knees, but it can occur on any part of the body.
It has been seen that people affected by psoriasis also suffer from other diseases.
For example, it has been observed that 20 percent of patients with psoriasis are affected with psoriasis of the joints, which is known as psoriasis arthritis.
This type of arthritis damages joints, and if it affects patients for a long time, they lose their ability to move their hands and legs.
It also increases the risk of a heart attack.
Some studies also suggest that it may lead to a particular type of blood cancer.
Can Psoriasis Occur at Any Age?
Most of the people in the 15 to 35 age group are found to be affected by this skin condition.
However, this disease does not limit itself to any particular age or gender.
People in the 18-to-29 and 30-to-45 age groups have a greater chance of acquiring this disease than people who belong to the 46-to-65 age group or above.
Likewise, no difference is found in regard to gender, and men and women are both affected by this skin condition equally. One thing that is observed with men is greater work-related stress.
Psoriasis has a mainly dominant impact on the quality of life people lead.
That is why it progresses faster in people in the age group 18 to 45. Consequently, a patient’s social life is equally badly affected whether it is male or female.
What are the dietary preferences for Psoriasis
- People affected by this disease are recommended a balanced, healthy diet.
- They should avoid gaining weight, which is a major factor that causes not only psoriasis but also other diseases.
- Proteins, whole grains, low-fat dairy, vegetables, and fruits are recommended for patients with psoriasis.
- Psoriasis patients should not take whole milk or full-fat cheese and should use low-fat versions, which will help them cut down on calories.
- Similarly, psoriasis patients should also avoid fatty red meat, as it may also be a cause of inflammation.
- An anti-inflammatory diet, in some patients, is found useful for controlling symptoms.
- Fish and seafood are considered a heart-healthy diet, and fish oil is useful for reducing inflammation. It also boosts the immune system of people.
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