Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that can affect anyone, although it's more common in people between the ages of 15 and 35, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. If you have psoriasis, your skin cells grow faster than normal.

 

 

The body naturally develops new skin cells every month to replace skin that sheds or flakes off. With psoriasis, new skin cells form within days rather than weeks. This rapid growth causes dead skin cells to accumulate on the skin’s surface, resulting in thick patches of red, dry, and itchy skin.

 

Types of Psoriasis

Psoriasis can occur on the scalp, nails, and joints. The five types of psoriasis include the following.

Plaque Psoriasis

This common form of psoriasis causes raised, red patches on the skin. Skin patches can be itchy and painful.

Guttate Psoriasis

This type of psoriasis can start in childhood or young adulthood.

Inverse Psoriasis

This type of psoriasis causes red lesions in body folds.

Pustular Psoriasis

This type causes white blisters and red skin.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

This rare inflammatory type of psoriasis can develop over the entire body. Symptoms include widespread redness, pain, and severe itching.

 

Psoriasis Causes

The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown. However, it's believed that your immune system and genes

may contribute to the condition. Your body’s T-cells normally fight viruses and bacteria. In psoriasis, they may start to attack healthy skin cells. Your body increases its production of new skin cells in response to this attack. These new skin cells move to the outer layer of your skin before dead skin cells shed, triggering scaly skin patches.

 

 

Psoriasis is not contagious. However, the condition may run in families. Risk factors for psoriasis include:

• family history of the condition
• having a viral or bacterial infection
• obesity
• smoking
• uncontrolled stress
• use of certain medications, such as those used to treat bipolar disorder and high blood pressure

There’s no cure for psoriasis. But with treatment, you can reduce inflammation and skin irritation.

 

Some treatment options are described below.

Topical Therapy

Your doctor may prescribe creams or ointments for your skin or scalp. These can include:

• topical corticosteroids
• vitamin D analogues
• topical retinoids
• salicylic acid
• moisturizers

Light Therapy

This therapy exposes skin to natural or artificial ultraviolet light under medical supervision. This treatment helps slow the growth of new skin cells.

Medications

If your psoriasis is severe or doesn't respond to other treatments, your doctor may prescribe medications to suppress your immune system.

Along with treatments recommended by your doctor, you can take other steps to reduce symptoms. Oatmeal baths may soothe irritated, red skin. Applying moisturizer to dry, itchy skin immediately after a bath or shower can also reduce flare-ups.

Psoriasis may also improve if you limit alcohol consumption and learn ways to manage stress. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

Psoriasis Complications

Psoriasis can increase your risk for other illnesses. Some people develop psoriatic arthritis, which can cause severe joint damage.

You also have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Other possible complications of psoriasis include an increased risk for:

• high blood pressure
• celiac disease and Crohn's disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• kidney disease

Because psoriasis can develop anywhere on the body and become a widespread problem, you may also deal with periods of low self-esteem, social isolation, and depression.

Psoriasis Prevention

There's no way to prevent psoriasis. You can reduce flare-ups by following your doctor’s treatment plan and recommendations and by avoiding common triggers like stress and smoking.

Psoriasis is a lifelong condition but it doesn't have to negatively impact the quality of your life. Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of psoriasis or if the condition causes depression or mood problems.

 

 

Tips to treat at Home:

• Dietary supplements: Fish oil, vitamin D, milk thistle, and evening primrose oil have been reported to help some sufferers.  Fish oil applied directly to the skin has also been known to work well for some.
• Use a humidifier to keep the air in your home or office moist.
• No dyes or perfumes
• Eliminating red meat and fatty foods have been effective for some. The National Psoriasis Foundation lists soy, nuts, chocolate, and cranberries as a few "functional foods" for treatment  
• Applying olive or vegetable oil to scales and patches of psoriasis can lock moisture and nutrients in.  
• Lukewarm baths with Epsom salt, mineral oil, milk, or olive oil can soothe the itching and infiltrate scales and plaques.

 

 

Dr. Aarthi Maria

Beckers Naevus

Hi guys, please don't get stumped by the slightly confusing title.

Beckers Naevus is neither a name nor a brand. Ironically, this pretty name defines a relatively common skin pigmentation amongst mankind.


I figured a skin topic would rock the boat a little, especially that I had one such patient at the clinic today.

Becker naevus's is a superficial birthmark occurring mostly in males.  It is due to an overgrowth of the epidermis, pigment cells and hair follicles. It develops during childhood or adolescence on the shoulders or upper trunk, occasionally elsewhere. It is thought that it is due to a gene defect, which has not yet been identified. It may be triggered to develop by circulating androgens (male hormones such as testosterone), which is why it appears in males at puberty.

 

Usually a Becker’s naevus is too large to be surgically removed. Different laser systems have been used to treat both the colour and the hair. Overall the excess hair responds better to laser treatment than the colour.

If there is acne or eczema within the Becker’s naevus, treatment of these skin conditions can be helpful.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for a Becker’s naevus. It will not go away on its own.

For such pigmented naevi, birthmarks and sun spots the Q-switched Alexandrite and Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers are ideal treatment tools. The Q-switched lasers target darkly pigmented tissue, whether this is due to melanin or dye, and leaves lighter tissues unaffected.  The result is to fade pigment in the treated area, and even if an area requires multiple treatments for full effect, each treatment will show significant improvement.

For more info & videos on birthmark or naevus removals, click here

dr aarthi

Skin Anti-Oxidants

Firstly, a brief mention on anti-oxidants and its function. Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. Antioxidants are found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables. They are also available as dietary supplements. Here are a few of the most effective ones:

Vitamins C, E and Selenium

Research has found that vitamins C and E, as well as selenium, can help protect the skin against sun damage and skin cancer. And they may actually reverse some of the discoloration and wrinkles associated with aging. These antioxidants work by speeding up the skin's natural repair systems and by directly inhibiting further damage,

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is a natural antioxidant in the body that helps the cells grow and protects them from the ravages of cancer. A drop in natural levels of coenzyme Q10 that occurs in our later years is thought to contribute to aging skin. A study published found that applying coenzyme Q10 to the skin helped minimize the appearance of wrinkles.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

This antioxidant, when applied topically as a cream, may help protect the skin from sun damage. Studies have looked at creams with 3%-5% concentration, applied every other day and building up slowly to once daily, and found some improvement in sun-induced changes in the skin. 

Retinoic Acid

Retinoic acid is the active form of vitamin A in the skin and the "gold standard" in anti-aging skin care. according to Burke. Topical retinoic acid treats fine wrinkles, age spots, and rough skin caused by sun exposure.  Researchers have found that treatment with retinoic acid restored the elastic fibers that keep skin taut, and reduced the appearance of wrinkles.

Flavonoids (Green Tea and & Chocolate)

Green tea and yes, even chocolate, just might help improve your skin. Research suggests that the flavonoids in green tea are strong antioxidants that may help protect the skin from cancer and inflammation.

B Vitamins

The B vitamins are essential for cells throughout the body, including skin cells. It's important to get enough of foods rich in B vitamins, such as chicken, eggs, and fortified grain products, because a B vitamin deficiency can lead to dry, itchy skin. Vitamin B6 protects against sun-induced skin damage and decreases wrinkles.

Other Antioxidants

Many other plant-based extracts are being studied for their positive effects on the skin, either when ingested or applied topically. Examples are rosemary, tomato paste (lycopene), grape seed extract, pomegranate, and soy. Some experts feel that a blend of many different antioxidants and extracts might be more effective than individual products. The final answer about the best doses and extracts remains to be determined by researchers.

Dr Aarthi Maria

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