WHAT CAUSES PSORIASIS?

Is Psoriasis Contagious?

Psoriasis is neither infectious nor contagious. It cannot be passed on to other persons. It is not caused by poor standards of hygiene.

The cause of Psoriasis is believed to be multi-factorial - a combination of genetic and environmental factors triggers the abnormally rapid growth of skin cells.

Hereditary or genetic factors play a part in the development of Psoriasis. In some patients, family members may also be affected by Psoriasis. However, the actual pattern of inheritance has still to be clearly established.

Environmental factors like physical or chemical injury to the skin, throat infections, reaction to certain drugs, hormonal changes, climate factors and more commonly, physical, mental and emotional stress can precipitate the onset and contribute to the perpetuation of Psoriasis.

Ingestion or abuse of alcohol is known to make Psoriasis worse or difficult to clear with treatment. Smoking makes certain type of Psoriasis resistant to treatment.

Medical science has pointed out that the environmental factors contribute to stimulation or activation of certain cells in the immune system (psoriasis T-lymphocyte) which are drawn to the skin. These immune cells release certain chemicals (cytokines) which in turn activate the epidermal skin cells to multiply at a faster rate.

What Is Abnormal About Psoriasis Skin?

Psoriasis is in simple terms, only a vast acceleration of the usual replacement process of the skin. The epidermis is the uppermost portion of the skin. The epidermis is made up of layers of cells. The epidermis cells gradually change and move to the surface where they are continuously shed and replaced. Normally a skin cell matures in twenty to thirty days during its passage to the surface where a constant invisible shedding of dead cells and scales takes place.

Psoriatic cells mature in three to eight days and in such chaotic manner that even live cells reach the surface and accumulate with the dead ones into visible layers.

There is no link between Psoriasis and cancer.

Psoriasis affects men and women in equal numbers and may appear for the first time at any age. It does however start more frequently between the ages of 15 and 45 particularly during puberty and menopause. Psoriasis may appear in children.

Psoriasis affects all major races and is found throughout the world. Persons of all socio-economic classes and educational levels may be affected. There is a family history in a quarter to a third of persons with Psoriasis.

How Serious Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is known as a waxing and waning disease. There may be considerable variations in a severity from person to person and in any one person from time to time. The extent of skin involvement varies from a few patches in the majority of cases, to widespread and serious eruption. Erythrodermic Psoriasis is generalised, affecting the entire skin and demand intensive medical and nursing care.

Psoriasis has a tendency to persist and recur. It can be an economic and social burden. Widespread ignorance of the public results in social avoidance and embarrassment. This may lead to social withdrawal and feelings of isolation, depression and defensive shyness by the Psoriatic person. Sometimes the psychological suffering can be more severe than the physical suffering.

Is There A Cure For Psoriasis?

Although medical science has made great advances in the understanding of Psoriasis, permanent cures are not yet possible. However, in many, the Psoriasis skin can be completely cleared and returned to normal with effective treatment. In some persons where complete clearance is not possible, treatment can improve or control the extent of disease.

Relapses of Psoriasis are problems for which there are no easy answers. Avoidance of aggravating factors may prevent or reduce relapses.

Treatment is aimed at slowing down the rapid cell division of the skin. By this way the physical discomforts and the socio-economic disadvantages of Psoriasis are reduced.

A variety of treatments are available. The external forms of treatment include tar shampoo, tar creams, calcipotriol (Vitamin D3) ointment, dithranol creams and ointment and steroid cream. Internal therapy in the forms of tablets includes methotrexate, cyclosporin and retinoids. Ultraviolet light therapy in the form of UVB or PUVA (a combination of oral psoralen and ultraviolet light A) are effective physical forms of treatment.

Sometimes a combination of treatments may be offered. The dermatologist must plan with the patient the most suitable treatment for that individual. The choice is based on the age, sex, general health, extent of disease, the type of Psoriasis and the ability to comply with the treatment program.

c/o National Skin Centre, Phototherapy Unit, No. 1 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308205, Phone : 63508551, Fax : 62533225