Many forms of psoriasis; just as many treatments

By Erinn Hutkin, Special to U-T San Diego 6 p.m.Feb. 18, 2014

Psoriasis is a skin condition many may have heard about from TV ads promoting prescription drugs. However, there are several ways to treat the disease, and the medications that are typically advertised are often the last in a line of treatments used by those with the condition.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, psoriasis is a skin disease that results in scaling and inflammation. Its often associated with pain, swelling, heat and redness.

Its a condition that affects about 2 percent of the population, according to Dr. Mona Mofid, a dermatologist at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, and there are many forms of the disease. The condition is chronic, and while she said theres no cure, its something patients and doctors work to keep under control.

The most common form, she said, is plaque psoriasis, which generally affects the skin around joints such as the elbows and knees. Its often marked by large, scaly, silvery patches that itch.

Other forms, such as inverse psoriasis, often target the folds of the skin, including the groin, armpits and under the breasts. Some forms of psoriasis are found on the face and scalp, creating a form of dandruff on the face, while other types affect the whole body and can be life-threatening.

While the cause of the disease is unknown, Mofid said different genes are being examined to pinpoint its origin. She likens the skin cells of those with psoriasis to being on overdrive basically. According to WebMD.com, the cells mature about five times faster than cells in normal skin.

And unlike normal skin cells, which naturally slough off, these cells pile up on the skins surface almost faster than snow on a snowdrift, according to the website.

Although the cause of the disease is unclear, Mofid said there are known triggers for psoriasis, mainly stress. She said stress that causes the disease to flare up can come in many forms. Theres emotional stress everything from work or money issues to life-altering events such as death or divorce and theres also physical stress, She said something that physically taxes the body, like getting the flu, breaking a leg, even banging an elbow into a desk at work, can cause the disease to make its presence known.

Theres often a trigger for psoriasis, she said. Something turns it on. Psoriasis loves elbows, knees and shins. It will flare with trauma.

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Many forms of psoriasis; just as many treatments