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What
is psoriasis ?
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Psoriasis
is a chronic skin disease. In psoriasis, the production
of new cells occurs too quickly, in about 4 days rather
than the more usual 28 days. As a result, live cells
reach the skin surface before they have matured and
build up to form raised, red patches. These patches
are often covered with dead cells, forming silvery scales
and thick white plaques. The redness under the scales
is due to dilated blood vessels. Psoriasis is a genetic
disease.
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How
many types of psoriasis are there ?
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Plaque
psoriasis is the most common and affects
9 out of 10 sufferers. Patches appear on the trunk and
limbs, especially on the elbows, knees and over the
lower back ( sacrum). The nails may be pitted, thickened
or separate from their nail beds.
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Guttate psoriasis :
Numerous small patches, looking like drops. This occurs
most frequently in children, often after a bacterial
throat infection.
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Scalp psoriasis :
Redness and build-up of plaques, even around the hairline.
This form is very often itching.
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Flexural
psoriasis produces red, well-defined areas
in skin folds such as the armpits, groins and under the
breasts. |
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Napkin
psoriasis develops in the nappy area of an
infant to cause a bright red weeping rash. |
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Pustular
psoriasis : Small deep seated pustules form
that usually only affects the palms and soles. Pustules
are not infected, but due to the accumulation of white
blood cells. Rarely, the pustules are more widespread,
with fever. Generalised pustular psoriasis is serious
and needs hospital treatment. |
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Erythrodermic
psoriasis is a serious condition where skin
redness can affect the whole body. In severe cases, this
may be life-threatening. |
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How
common is it?
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In
France, 4.7% of the population have some form
of psoriasis. It usually appears between the ages of
10 and 30, but it can occur in babies or appear in old
age. Around 20 to 25% of people with psoriasis will
develop some form of psoriatic arthritis, and in half
of the patients, there are nail problems.
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For
a treatment to have the best chance of success,
you need to follow your doctor's instructions
as exactly as possible. It helps to reduce the
rate at which you produce new skin cells, stop
the side-effects of some treatments such as burning
or irritation, control your symptoms.
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Topical
treatment ( directly applied to the skin) will
usually show a good effect within 3 to 6 weeks.
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A disease-modifying drug such as methotrexate
should start to make a difference within 2 or
3 months. Cyclosporin will show an effect within
one month.
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If
you do not think your treatment is helping, don't just
stop using or taking it. Go back to your doctor for
advice. Tell your doctor straight away if a product
burns or irritates your skin or makes your symptoms
worse, if you think you have developed an unwanted effect
of treatment or if you think you may be pregnant.
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Tips
to help improve compliance.
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Try
to take or use your treatment regularly, at the same
time every day, so you get into a routine.
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Keep your tablets or creams somewhere you can remember
them easily, but make sure they are out of the reach
of children.
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If you are going away, take enough tablets or creams
with you to last the whole time.
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If
in any doubt with any part of your treatment, ask your
doctor or pharmacist for advice.
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Having
any form of skin disease can cause great psychological
distress. It is only natural to feel embarrassed about
your skin and this can lower your self-esteem, disrupt
your life-style and lead to isolation and withdrawal.
Unfortunately, the more you worry about your skin, the
worse you will feel. Although stress does not cause
psoriasis, it can trigger a flare-up. Remember that
psoriasis is common, and if you feel stressed , contact
APLCP.
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