Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease characterized by flare-ups and remissions. In this disease, which is also influenced by genetic factors, the rashes are well-defined, thick, and multi-layered, red in color, and typically appear in the creases of the arms and legs and on the scalp. While itching and burning are uncommon, they can cause discomfort in some patients.
How common is psoriasis?
The disease affects approximately 1-2% of the world's population. Psoriasis, which is more common in Caucasians, especially in Northern Europe and Scandinavian countries, occurs equally in both sexes. It is thought that psoriasis is more common in our country (2-4%).
What is the cause(s) of psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a multifactorial disease: it involves a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. A family history is present in 30-40% of patients, but some environmental factors are thought to play a role in triggering this hereditary predisposition. Environmental factors include physical and psychological trauma, throat infections, pregnancy, menopause, and certain endocrine fluctuations such as puberty, as well as some medications.
What should people with psoriasis avoid?
Considering the causes of the disease, patients are advised to avoid these factors. Patients should avoid damaging the skin; any skin trauma, including itching, can trigger rashes. Psychological distress is another factor to be avoided. Particular attention should be paid to throat infections in children with psoriasis, and a doctor should be consulted in such cases. Information about medications being used for other reasons should be given to the doctor; some medications can cause exacerbations of the disease; other medications may interact with medications used to treat psoriasis, reducing treatment effectiveness or causing other side effects.
Does sunlight have a beneficial or harmful effect on this disease?
Sunlight is known to be beneficial in illness. Therefore, patients are advised to get plenty of sun exposure.
Is this disease contagious?
Psoriasis is not caused by microbes and is absolutely not contagious.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
The rashes are generally symmetrical and can affect almost any part of the body. In children, in particular, rashes that sometimes appear after a throat infection are smaller and more widespread. Psoriasis can affect the scalp, hands and feet, nails, and genital area, either alone or in combination with the classic body lesions.
What can the disease lead to?
Sometimes the disease progresses from the classic rash to a full-body rash and scaling (erythrodermia) or hundreds of inflammatory rashes (pustular psoriasis). In patients who do not adhere to regular check-ups and treatment programs, joint involvement (psoriatic arthritis) may occur.
The disease is diagnosed by a specialist dermatologist through examination and, in some cases, by pathological examination of a biopsy taken from the rash.
Is there a connection between the disease and food?
Diet does not play a significant role in the exacerbation or treatment of the disease; only fish oil is mentioned as having an effect on the healing of the rash.
What are the benefits of psoriasis treatment?
Since the cause of the disease depends on various genetic and environmental factors, treatment only eliminates the visible rashes; therefore, the goal of treatment in this disease is to provide and prolong rash-free periods and to halt its progression. There is no definitive cure for this disease.
What are the treatments used for this disease?
Treatment for the disease involves topical (applied) or oral and injectable (systemic) medications and light therapy, depending on the situation. These treatments control the disease for a period of time, and depending on the situation, treatment may be interrupted, continued, or switched to another treatment.
Topical treatments include tar-based shampoos and moisturizers, cortisone preparations, calcipotriol (a vitamin D derivative), and anthralin. Systemic treatment may include retinoids (vitamin A derivatives), cyclosporine-based drugs, and methotrexate; however, these are considered a last resort due to the potential for various side effects. Another treatment option is phototherapy.
What is phototherapy?
In a method called light therapy (phototherapy), the body is exposed to ultraviolet light (UVA or UVB) produced by devices that emit specific wavelengths of light, and healing is observed. This treatment method is more effective than topical treatments and more reliable than the systemic treatments we have mentioned.
Which treatments can be performed without a doctor's supervision?
Apart from moisturizing preparations, any topical or systemic treatment should be administered under the supervision of a doctor. Patients should be very careful even when using topical medications, as prolonged and uncontrolled use of these medications can lead to various side effects and a decrease in treatment effectiveness.
At our clinic, every patient is monitored. After a definitive diagnosis of psoriasis, the most appropriate treatment plans are developed for psoriasis patients based on the severity, course, location, extent of the disease, and other socioeconomic conditions, and patients are followed up at specific intervals.
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