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Dry, itchy skin seems to be par for the course for people living in this sunny desert. Most of us double up lotion purchases, try to stay hydrated, and simply suffer through it. However, what happens when your skin woes are the cause of something more serious? August brings us Psoriasis Action Month, and at Fountain Hills Medical Center we want to call attention to this potentially-serious skin disorder.

Psoriasis is a relatively common skin condition, with about 3 million new cases per year. It’s a non-contagious disease that is believed to be related to an overactive immune system. It can affect people of any age, but the most common ages of those afflicted are between 20 and 30, and also between 50 and 60.

If you have psoriasis, you’ll notice areas of your skin becoming thicker and scaly. This is because this disease causes your skin cells to rapidly accelerate the pace at which your skin grows and sheds. Besides this, how do you know if your skin issues are caused by a psoriasis diagnosis? There are ways you can tell, and here are a few things to watch for:

• Patchy rashes in a variety of colors, ranging from purple and gray (most common on brown or black skin) to pink/red and silver (most common on white skin)
• Spots that are itching, burning, sore, dry, and/or cracked
• Rashes that occur cyclically – appearing for a few weeks or months and then subsiding

As far as the cause of this autoimmune disease, researchers have detected over two dozen genes that may contribute to psoriasis. These genes, when paired with certain environmental factors such as stress, diet, or pollution, will likely result in a psoriasis diagnosis. There is a genetic component as well, in that if both parents carry the genes, you have a 50% greater chance of being diagnosed.

Here are some factors that have been linked to psoriasis, and can help trigger an outbreak:

• Smoking
• Infection
• Stress
• Certain prescription drugs such as prednisone, lithium, interferons, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and more.

There are some at-home measures you can try to help control your psoriasis symptoms including allowing the affected area to be exposed to the sun, taking probiotics or turmeric supplements, or applying apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, or moisturizers to the affected area. However, these at-home treatments should be only used to temporarily keep discomfort at bay, and you should seek psoriasis treatment in Fountain Hills from your local medical staff at Fountain Hills Medical Center. There are different types of psoriasis, and we can help you determine which type you have, how severe it is, and what course of medical treatment will be best for you. Possible treatment course as prescribed by your doctor may include topical or oral medications such as steroids or anti-inflammatories, or in some cases, photodynamic (light) therapy.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for psoriasis. However, there are ways to help prevent flare-ups that include eating healthfully, avoiding stress, using humidifiers, avoiding cuts and bumps to sensitive areas, using aloe vera or other unscented moisturizers, and limiting alcohol consumption. Every psoriasis diagnosis is different, and your medical team at Fountain Hills Medical Center can help you decide on a treatment course and lifestyle adjustment that works for you and your skin. Give us a call, or walk in to our medical center, and let us help.

As your expert medical care that’s close to home, we’re ready to help with whatever issues or conditions come your way.

Sources:

• Psoriasis.org
• Myclevelandclinic.org
• Mayoclinic.org
• Medicalnewstoday.com
• Healthline.com
• Verywellhealth.com