What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic but non-contagious skin condition which can affect all areas of the body, but usually develops on the scalp, lower back, elbows and knees.
With psoriasis, the skin becomes red and patchy because the skin cells struggle to reproduce quickly enough (human skin layers reproduce up to every 28 days). These ‘flare-ups’ of psoriasis can occur randomly and are therefore unpredictable. However, there are triggers (please see Causes section below) which can bring about a sudden bout of symptoms.
Severity of symptoms can vary from person to person.
Symptoms
Symptoms of psoriasis include:
small patches of red, scaly skin on the body
itching
burning
bleeding
Note: These symptoms can also affect your fingers and toes.
Causes
Although one school of thought suggests that the cause of psoriasis may be linked to a problem with the immune system (or to a certain form of arthritis), the exact cause of psoriasis is something that has baffled GPs, dermatologists and other medical professionals for some time. This means that the condition is unpreventable. What is known is that there are a range of triggers which can prompt the onset of symptoms. For example:
chest infection
sore throat
stress
sunburn
smoking
excessive alcohol consumption
insect bites
certain prescribed and non-prescribed medications
an injury to the skin (such as a cut, graze or other wound)
Note: Some people may also have a genetic predisposition to developing psoriasis (i.e. it is in the family, or passed down)
Diagnosis
If you suffer from the aforementioned symptoms, arrange an appointment with your GP. After taking your medical history and asking you some questions, he or she will examine the affected area and recommend an appropriate treatment. If your psoriasis is particularly severe, you may be referred to a dermatologist who will carry out further tests.
Treatment
There is no cure for psoriasis, but there are several treatments which can reduce symptoms. For example:
Over-the-counter remedies (e.g., lotions or creams)
Prescribed topical lotions and creams, such as: Dithranol, Tazarotene, corticosteroids, and vitamin D analogues
Injected or oral medication that has been developed specifically to trigger reduction in the production of skin cells
Sometimes, light therapy or phototherapy is also used to treat the affected area(s) – on a regular basis and under medical supervision, the skin is exposed to ultraviolet light.
How Chemist Online can help
Through this website we have a range of treatments available to buy that can help relieve the symptoms of psoriasis, such as Polytar Scalp Treatment which is a liquid treatment for scalp disorders such as psoriasis, dandruff and eczema.
We also have E45 Wash Cream – a mixture of mineral oils and zinc oxide – which is used in place of normal soap in conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis. Free from soap and detergent, E45 Wash Cream is recommended by dermatologists to help with more serious dry skin conditions but is gentle enough to use every day.
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Advice & Support
The Psoriasis Association
Dick Coles House
2 Queensbridge
Northampton
NN4 7BF
Tel: 0845 676 0076 (Monday–Thursday 09.15–16.45, Friday 09.15–16.15)
Website: www.psoriasis-association.org.uk
E-mail: mail@psoriasis-association.org.uk
British Association of Dermatologists
Willan House
4 Fitzroy Square
London
W1T 5HQ
Tel: 020 7383 0266
Website: www.bad.org.uk
E-mail: admin@bad.org.uk
This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.