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About Psoriasis
About Psoriasis
| About Psoriasis |
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Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale. Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body and is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression. Living with psoriasis In addition to its physical impact on your skin, psoriasis can also affect your emotional, psychological and social well-being. This visible and lifelong disease may change how you view yourself and interact with others. Camouflage and cover-ups People are curious when they see something different, especially on your skin. You have many choices about how to react to their curiosity. You may choose to ignore their attention, or you can explain that psoriasis is a skin disease that is not contagious. Educating people about psoriasis is very valuable because it helps them to accept people who live with skin that is different. But when you wish to go out in public without addressing your skin condition, certain techniques can help you cope. Wearing long sleeves, pants, turtlenecks, hats or scarves, for example, can make coping in public a lot easier on days when you don't have the emotional energy to accept the stares and questions. Cosmetic cover-up products can help for those times when clothing won't do. Masking psoriasis lesions and camouflaging redness can make it easier to feel confident in social situations. Caution: Never apply cosmetic cover-up to open skin lesions, unhealed cuts or raw or irritated skin. Avoid using cosmetics if skin allergies are present. If you're ever in doubt about applying a cover-up, seek the advice of your physician. Note: Not all types of psoriasis can be camouflaged. Masking pustular or erythrodermic psoriasis is not a good idea, because minor irritants in cosmetics can produce stinging and redness, and this skin is already inflamed Specififc skin sites Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body.
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