Affecting around one in every 50 adults, psoriasis of the skin is a physical condition that can cause significant mental suffering. Clinical studies have come to the conclusion that even though psoriaisis shows itself as a skin condition, the actual onset is rooted in the immune system of the body.

The symptoms of psoriasis include skin that is salmon colored, scaly, flaky and irritated. One of the most commonplace types is called plaque psoriasis where the affected area develops oval, round or irregular formed patches covered with cracked, silver colored skin. The form and sizes of the patches vary widely and several smaller areas can merge together to form one large shape of irritated scaly skin. Besides being not being very nice to look at, these larger areas tend to crack and start bleeding.

The area of affected skin can become really itchy and feel as though it is burning. As with the shape, there is no consistency as to how long a particular flare-up will last. It could last a week to twleve days or you might have to suffer it for a number of weeks. One of the worst aspects for sufferers is that it is a chronic complaint and recurrent flare-ups can happen at any time.

Body areas that are most often affected include the trunk, scalp, elbows and knees although any body part can develop symptoms of psoriasis. One strange anomaly is that flare-ups are inclined to be symmetrical in as much that both sides of the body will be afflicted in identical areas at the same time.

It appears that genetic factors also play a part in who is likely to develop psoriasis. Individuals whose parents or grandparents suffered with the ailment have a greater chance of developing it as well. For some unidentified reason, T-cells, which are required to make the white blood cells which assist our bodies to fight infection, cause the skin to become inflamed. T-cells also somehow trigger the production of an overabundance of skin cells. With nowhere else to go, these excess skin cells pile up on top of one another and produce the telling appearance of raised areas on the skin’s exterior. The red appearance is a result of increased blood supply that is required to nourish these skin cells.

Traumas to the skin, sunlight and strep infections are frequent triggers of Psoriasis. Changes in the bodies hormone levels as well as stress and anxiousness can also trigger off outbreaks. Folks with early stages of HIV seem to have higher instances of psoriasis as well. Smokers and alcohol drinkers are considered to be at greater risk of developing psoriasis although it is not infectious and cannot be passed on.

Currently, there is still no known cure for psoriasis. Nevertheless there are several effective treatment choices that can ease the symptoms. Resisting the temptation to scratch the affected area and keeping it damp is a good start.

The initial line of treatments are topical and are applied directly to the affected area with the ultimate goal of trying to stem the production of surplus skin cells. Coal tar, salicylic acid, corticosteroids, synthetic vitamin D, tazorac and anthrallin are common topical treatment choices as are specially formulated bathing products and moisturizers. For more serious cases where localized treatments maybe ineffectual, systemic medications may be prescribed by the physician. Phototherapy, where patients are exposed to medically-supervised ultraviolet radiation is also effective in the treatment of psoriasis.