Any immunological reaction prompted against healthy cells, tissues, and organs of the body is called an autoimmune response. And any disease affiliated with this response is called an autoimmune disease. There is a wide range of these illnesses and psoriasis is one of the most prevalent ones.
According to a recent report, more than two percent of the US population is suffering from this autoimmune skin disease. Since many people, particularly the ones not suffering from it, don’t consider it a serious health concern, several misconceptions have spread about psoriasis.
It is important to address these notions regarding psoriasis because 60 percent of people suffering from this skin disorder consider it a major everyday nuisance.
Psoriasis is Infectious
Due to a misconception that psoriasis is contagious and a healthy individual can catch it from an affected person, this skin issue has been transformed into a social stigma. It should be firmly understood that psoriasis is not contagious at all.
This autoimmune system has genetic roots. It can’t be transmitted through air or contact. It is important to spread awareness to dispel this false fact about psoriasis because many psoriasis patients avoid social situations because of that.
Psoriasis is Incurable
The majority of psoriasis patients persist with the agony of this condition because of the preconceived notion that it is incurable. Even though the disease is a complicated one due to its genetic roots, that doesn’t mean it’s untreatable. Psoriasis of any degree can be treated through in-home and professional care.
Over-the-counter Psoriasis Treatments
For mild to moderate psoriasis conditions, several OTC topical products can come in handy. Topical corticosteroids, vitamin D ointments, emollients, and tazarotene are some of the easily available products used for the treatment of light psoriasis.
Prescription Drugs for Psoriasis Treatment
If you are suffering from severe skin rashes and inflammation due to psoriasis, then it is better to get a consultation with a skincare specialist. There are several prescription drugs used to treat severe instances of psoriasis including retinoids, acitretin, and some other pharmaceutical physiological response modifiers. UV light therapy can also be recommended to people with severe psoriasis symptoms.
The crux of all this discussion is: that psoriasis can be treated and one should not overlook the symptoms of psoriasis just for this reason.
Sunlight Aggravates Skin Condition
This is another unsubstantiated fact widely spread about the disease. But in reality, there is no truth to it, even when it has been observed that exposure to the sun improves the skin. The formation of Vitamin D due to sunlight is the reason behind the improved skin condition of psoriasis patients.
Psoriasis Always Transmits Genetically
There is another widespread misconception that psoriasis is always inherited by the children of affected parents. This is a myth. Even in the people with the affected gene, only two to three percent will actually develop the disease. Therefore, it is important to not get unnecessarily worried if your parents or one of them have ever suffered from this disease.
Bathing Worsen the Skin Condition
There is a widely spread myth that water can amplify the degree of psoriasis, hence affected individuals should avoid bathing as much as possible. This is also complete rubbish because oils and salts present in bathing soaps and lotions might help in reducing psoriasis-related irritation. However, using very hot water can result in severe irritation. Moreover, swimming in chlorinated pools is not advised because chlorine is a known skin irritant.
There is More than Only One Type of Psoriasis
Not all psoriasis conditions are the same and hence their treatments and symptoms can vary. Some of the common psoriasis types are:
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- Erythrodermic
- Guttate
- Pustular
- Plaque
The most prevalent psoriasis type is plaque. Symptoms of plaque are red skin patches and flares of dead skin.
Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis are Superficial
It is important to note that psoriasis is not just an aesthetically unpleasing disease. There are several physical and physiological repercussions associated with it. Psoriasis can be painful and severe patches of it can lead to bleeding, making the affected individual more vulnerable to other bodily infections.
Similarly, people suffering from this autoimmune skin condition can develop major depressive orders and anxiety due to the stigma associated with it, so it is important to take care of this disease with the necessary diligence and knowledge available in the medical field.