Psoriasis isn't skin deep

Health Home>>>> Written by: Marilyn Linton, QMI Agency Oct. 29, 2012 Psoriasis. (Wikimedia Commons/HO) Common condition can be a 'soul crusher' for sufferers

There was a time when Newfoundlands Andrew Gosse would offer someone a pen and they wouldnt take it.

The St. Johns realtor, now 41, has suffered terribly with unsightly psoriasis since he was 17.

Lots of people think its contagious and it looks like it is, says Gosse who believes World Psoriasis Day, Monday, will bring some much-needed awareness to the skin condition that plagues between 2 to 4% of Canadians.

Gosse doesnt blame the people who rebuffed him years ago: If I didnt know much about this skin condition and met someone whose skin was scaly, I would feel awkward reaching out to them.

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that involves red elevated patches and flaking silvery scales. Normally, our skin cells replace themselves about every four weeks, but with psoriasis skin cells replace themselves in just days their accelerated growth forming thick scaly patches known as plaques.

Edmonton dermatologist Dr. Norman Wasel says its a skin condition that occurs due to overactivity of the immune system, but it is not a classic autoimmune disease. You can get it at any age.

Its not just a skin condition, says Dr. Wasel who is also director of Edmontons Stratica Medical. The accompanying inflammation can occur throughout the body, he explains; people with psoriasis have an increased risk of heart disease, arthritis, anxiety, diabetes, sleep apnea and a shorter life span in general.

Treatments can include everything from topical creams to light therapy, from oral medications aimed at regulating and normalizing skin cell turnover to those that suppress the immune response that causes inflammation.

Finding the right treatment requires patience and can be frustrating, says Dr. Wasel. A lot of people give up hope but there is no need for that today.

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Psoriasis isn't skin deep