What you need to know about psoriasis

Not many people talk about psoriasis. Even its name suggests that it is an ugly condition that often makes the estimated two million South Africans who suffer from it nauseously depressed.

Psoriasis is the consequence of an immune system not working properly, replacing skin cells as often as every couple of days, instead of around a month, resulting in inflammation and plaque, or scaly patches, on the body.

Scientists estimate up to 10% of the world’s population could get it, but only 2-3% ever do. It is genetic, inherited and is triggered by various environmental factors.

“If one parent has it, you’ve got about a 14% chance of developing it. If both parents do, there is an over 40% chance of developing it,” says dermatologist Dr Lushen Pillay.

“There have been so many alternative treatments touted for it,” says Pillay.

“Chinese herbal treatment, Indian ayurvedic treatments or tossing a bunch of plants into a pot, boiling them and drinking the mixture.”

The danger is that creating natural cortisone can damage your body and even exacerbate the severity of the condition.

“Unfortunately, because it is not a curable condition, a lot of patients go through trialling alternative treatments.”

Pillay adds that it is important to keep affected areas moisturised.

“But products like aqueous cream dries out the skin, which is what you don’t want. Use fragrance-free, well formulated moisturising products like creams and emollients on your skin.”

Pillay says depending on the severity of a patient’s psoriasis, topical treatments may be the first port of call.

“More severe afflictions are treated with orally taken drugs, while severe cases follow a strict regime of intravenous intervention.

“Today, it is possible to have almost completely clear skin,” says Pillay.

– news@citizen.co.za