Moisturize

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a non-contagious chronic autoimmune condition that causes the rapid buildup of skin cells. This buildup of cells causes scaling on the skin’s surface.

Inflammation and redness around the scales is fairly common. Typical psoriatic scales are whitish-silver and develop in thick, red patches. Sometimes, these patches will crack and bleed.

Psoriasis is the result of a sped-up skin production process. Typically, skin cells grow deep in the skin and slowly rise to the surface. Eventually, they fall off. The typical life cycle of a skin cell is one month.

In people with psoriasis, this production process may occur in just a few days. Because of this, skin cells don’t have time to fall off. This rapid overproduction leads to the buildup of skin cells.

Scales typically develop on joints, such elbows and knees. They may develop anywhere on the body, including the:

• Hands
• Feet
• Neck
• Scalp
• Face

What are the different types of psoriasis?

There are five types of psoriasis:

Plaque psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis.

There is an estimate of about 80 percent of people with the condition have plaque psoriasis. It causes red, inflamed patches that cover areas of the skin. These patches are often covered with whitish-silver scales or plaques. These plaques are commonly found on the elbows, knees, and scalp.

Guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis is common in childhood. This type of psoriasis causes small pink spots. The most common sites for guttate psoriasis include the torso, arms, and legs. These spots are rarely thick or raised like plaque psoriasis.

Pustular psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis is more common in adults. It causes white, pus-filled blisters and broad areas of red, inflamed skin. Pustular psoriasis is typically localized to smaller areas of the body, such as the hands or feet, but it can be widespread.

Inverse psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis causes bright areas of red, shiny, inflamed skin. Patches of inverse psoriasis develop under armpits or breasts, in the groin, or around skinfolds in the genitals.

Erythrodermic psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is a severe and very rare type of psoriasis.

This form often covers large sections of the body at once. The skin almost appears sunburned. Scales that develop often slough off in large sections or sheets. It’s not uncommon for a person with this type of psoriasis to run a fever or become very ill.

This type can be life-threatening, so individuals should see a doctor immediately.

Check out pictures of the different types of psoriasis.

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

Psoriasis symptoms differ from person to person and depend on the type of psoriasis. Areas of psoriasis can be as small as a few flakes on the scalp or elbow, or cover the majority of the body.

The most common symptoms of plaque psoriasis include:

• Red, raised, inflamed patches of skin
• Whitish-silver scales or plaques on the red patches
• Dry skin that may crack and bleed
• Soreness around patches
• Itching and burning sensations around patches
• Thick, pitted nails
• Painful, swollen joints

Not every person will experience all of these symptoms. Some people will experience entirely different symptoms if they have a less common type of psoriasis.

Most people with psoriasis go through “cycles” of symptoms. The condition may cause severe symptoms for a few days or weeks, and then the symptoms may clear up and be almost unnoticeable. Then, in a few weeks or if made worse by a common psoriasis trigger, the condition may flare up again. Sometimes, symptoms of psoriasis disappear completely.

When you have no active signs of the condition, you may be in “remission.” That doesn’t mean psoriasis won’t come back, but for now you’re symptom-free.

What causes psoriasis?

Doctors are unclear as to what causes psoriasis. However, thanks to decades of research, they have a general idea of two key factors: genetics and the immune system.

Immune system

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition. Autoimmune conditions are the result of the body attacking itself. In the case of psoriasis, white blood cells known as T cells mistakenly attack the skin cells.

In a typical body, white blood cells are deployed to attack and destroy invading bacteria and fight infections. This mistaken attack causes the skin cell production process to go into overdrive. The sped-up skin cell production causes new skin cells to develop too quickly. They are pushed to the skin’s surface, where they pile up.

This results in the plaques that are most commonly associated with psoriasis. The attacks on the skin cells also cause red, inflamed areas of skin to develop.

Genetics

Some people inherit genes that make them more likely to develop psoriasis. If you have an immediate family member with the skin condition, your risk for developing psoriasis is higher. However, the percentage of people who have psoriasis and a genetic predisposition is small. Approximately 2 to 3 percent of people with the gene develop the condition, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF).

Psoriasis triggers: Stress, alcohol, and more

External “triggers” may start a new bout of psoriasis. These triggers aren’t the same for everyone. They may also change over time for you.

The most common triggers for psoriasis include:

Stress

Unusually high stress may trigger a flare-up. If you learn to reduce and manage your stress, you can reduce and possibly prevent flare-ups.

Alcohol

Heavy alcohol use can trigger psoriasis flare-ups. If you excessively use alcohol, psoriasis outbreaks may be more frequent. Reducing alcohol consumption is smart for more than just your skin too. Your doctor can help you form a plan to quit drinking if you need help.

Injury

An accident, cut, or scrape may trigger a flare-up. Shots, vaccines, and sunburns can also trigger a new outbreak.

Medications

Some medications are considered psoriasis triggers. These medications include:

• Lithium
• Antimalarial medications
• High blood pressure medication

Infection

Psoriasis is caused, at least in part, by the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy skin cells. If you’re sick or battling an infection, your immune system will go into overdrive to fight the infection. This might start another psoriasis flare-up. Strep throat is a common trigger.

Treatment options for psoriasis

Psoriasis has no cure. Treatments aim to reduce inflammation and scales, slow the growth of skin cells, and remove plaques. Psoriasis treatments fall into three categories:

Topical treatments

Creams and ointments applied directly to the skin can be helpful for reducing mild to moderate psoriasis.

Topical psoriasis treatments include:

• Topical corticosteroids
• Topical retinoids
• Anthralin
• Vitamin D analogues
• Salicylic acid
• Moisturizer

THEO10 Moisturiser 

As mentioned above, a topical treatment to reduce inflammation and prevent dryness of the skin is to use a moisturiser.

Intro Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=flo2dnotB_U&feature=emb_logo

Theo10 Moisturize, a super hydrating moisturizer formulated using a unique combination of organically certified essential oils, cold pressed oils, and naturally extracted glycerine that hyper hydrolyses the skin by reducing moisture loss while drawing and absorbing moisture from the air thereby hyper-hydrates the skin. Ingredients:

• Organic Cold pressed French Jojoba Oil
• Organic Cold Pressed Thai Virgin Coconut Oil
• Natural Glycerine
• Italian Chamomile Essential Oil
• Grapefruit Seed Essential Oil
• French Geranium Essential Oil
• Madagascar Lyang Lyang Essential Oil
• Valencia Sweet Orange Essential Oil
• Aloe Barbensis Miller (200x concentrate)
• Purified water

Direction of use:

 Apply generously on cleansed skin. Use regularly at any time of the day.

Adapted from:

https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis#psoriasis-medications