Psoriasis Trivia

If you have a child with psoriasis, will your other children also develop it? Where in the world does psoriasis most commonly occur? How common is psoriasis? Read on to find out.

At what age is psoriasis most likely to first appear?
There are 2 peak periods when psoriasis tends to appear for the first time: 20 to 30 years and 50 to 60 years. Around 10% of new cases start in children less than 10 years old.

Where in the world is psoriasis most common?
The incidence of psoriasis varies with race, geography, and environment. It affects 1% to 3% of people in Canada. The country with the highest known rate of psoriasis is Norway. The rest of Scandinavia and Western Europe also have higher-than-average rates. People with lower-than-average rates include Japanese, West Africans, and North Americans of African descent. Psoriasis is extremely rare in the indigenous peoples of North and South America.

Does psoriasis affect females more than males?
No. Psoriasis affects an equal number of adult men and women. In children and teens, plaque psoriasis tends to affect a greater number of females.

Will the siblings of a child with psoriasis also develop the condition?
Possibly, depending on whether the parents also have psoriasis. If both parents have psoriasis, the risk of their child developing psoriasis is 75%. If only one parent has psoriasis, then the risk of a child developing psoriasis is 15%. If neither parent has psoriasis but one child develops it, the chance of a sibling developing the condition is about 20%.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-Trivia

A variety of things may trigger the onset of psoriasis or make it worse. Are there things you should try to avoid to prevent a flare-up? Is your blood pressure medication affecting your psoriasis? Should you try sunbathing? Read on to find out.

Can infections trigger psoriasis?
Yes. Guttate psoriasis has been shown to develop following strep throat (streptococcal throat infection). Other infections that may trigger psoriasis include HIV and infections caused by staphylococcal bacteria.

Can psoriasis develop at sites of injury to the skin?
Yes, it can. When psoriasis plaques develop where the skin has been injured, it is called Koebner's phenomenon.

Are there medications that can make psoriasis worse?
Yes, some medications may cause a flare-up of psoriasis. Examples of these include antimalarials (e.g., chloroquine), mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium), blood pressure medications (e.g., beta-blockers), and certain skin creams or lotions containing skin irritants. For some people who are taking corticosteroid medication by mouth, the psoriasis symptoms may worsen when they stop taking the medication. Check with your doctor if you are taking any of these medications.

Does sunbathing improve psoriasis or make it worse?
It depends. A bad sunburn is a form of skin injury and can result in Koebner's phenomenon (see above), which causes psoriasis plaques to form. However, sunlight and artificial UV light are also treatments for psoriasis. Many people with psoriasis notice an improvement of their symptoms in the summer, but a few people find that sunlight aggravates their condition. Some medications used to treat psoriasis, such as tazarotene, can increase a person's sensitivity to the sun. Anyone taking psoralens for phototherapy should be careful to avoid overexposure to sunlight.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-Trivia

What does UVB phototherapy mean? Is methotrexate safe during pregnancy? Can vitamin D treat psoriasis? Learn more about some of the medications, issues, and side effects of treating psoriasis.

What psoriasis medications can be taken during pregnancy?
If you have psoriasis and plan on becoming pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about the best medication for you. Many psoriasis medications are not suitable for those who are pregnant and nursing. Some must never be used during pregnancy. People who are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant must not use retinoids applied to the skin (e.g., tazarotene) or taken by mouth (e.g., acitretin), hydroxyurea, 6-thioguanine, or methotrexate, as they pose a risk of birth defects. Topical (skin-applied) corticosteroids, such as those that have low or mid-potency, may be used. For other medications, the safety of use during pregnancy has not been established. Speak to your doctor to find out what options are available.

Is it true that vitamin D can treat psoriasis?
Not exactly. However, there is an effective psoriasis treatment called calcipotriol that has a structure similar to that of vitamin D3. It's available as a cream, ointment, or scalp solution. The beneficial effects of this medication may take 6 to 8 weeks to show best results, so don't stop using it until you've given it enough time to work. The fastest improvement is seen when this medication is used together with topical corticosteroids. Pre-mixed combination products are also available. Calcipotriol shouldn't be used on the face. You should limit the amount you use to 100 g per week to prevent a potential side effect called hypercalcemia - a higher-than-normal amount of calcium in the blood.

What is UVB phototherapy?
UVB is a form of phototherapy that stands for ultraviolet light B. It involves exposing your skin to a source of UVB radiation for a set period, on a regular schedule. There are several types of UVB treatments such as at-home treatments or laser therapy. The main side effects of UVB phototherapy are mild sunburn reactions. Phototherapy can increase the risk of skin cancer.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-Trivia

There are lots of new and alternative treatments being used to treat psoriasis. Some have evidence to back them up, and some don't. Talk to your doctor about any new or alternative therapies you are considering.

What are biologic treatments?
Biologics are medications that target specific cellular pathways involved in psoriasis. They are typically reserved for people who have moderate to severe psoriasis. Usually, they're given as injections or infusions every couple weeks, depending on the type of medication. However, biologic treatments can be quite expensive and can weaken your immune system, especially if you also take other medications that have similar immune system effects.

Can getting your tonsils removed help with psoriasis?
There is some evidence that people with psoriasis who get their tonsils removed surgically (tonsillectomy) experience less severe symptoms and have better response to their medical treatments. That said, the current evidence mainly includes smaller case report studies where the results may not be accurate. It may be an option for those who experience inflamed tonsils (tonsillitis) frequently or with a certain genetic history.

Can what you eat affect psoriasis?
Is it true that you are what you eat? With psoriasis, it remains unclear whether your diet is related. Some studies suggest that gluten intolerance can be involved in psoriasis symptoms, but that testing for gluten sensitivity should be reserved for only certain people, such as those with first-degree relatives who have celiac disease. Other studies find that a diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and extra-virgin olive oil can help reduce psoriasis severity.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-Trivia