Do you also have a problem with psoriasis? (Psoriasis) Let's talk about this in detail!

Have you ever seen some people have red, scaly patches on their bodies? Sometimes these can be itchy and painful. We call this condition psoriasis , or as doctors call it, ``( Psoriasis )''. This is a rather annoying skin disease. But there is nothing to worry about, if we are properly informed about this, we can control it well.

What is psoriasis? Simply put...

Okay, so let's first look at what psoriasis is. Simply put, it's a long-term skin condition . That means it doesn't just come and go, it can last for a while. People with this condition mainly experience red, scaly patches on their skin. Sometimes, it can also be accompanied by joint pain and nail changes.

Many people think that this is a contagious disease. But that is a misconception . Ringworm is not contagious from one person to another. Also, there is no cure for it yet . But don't worry! With the current treatments, many people have been able to control these symptoms well and live a normal life.

What are the symptoms of bark beetles? Do you have these too?

Now let's see what are the main symptoms of this skin condition `(Psoriasis). Take a look and see if you have any of these symptoms.

The main symptom is the appearance of red, slightly thickened patches (plaques) on the skin. These patches can be covered with silvery scales . These patches can sometimes cause burning, itching, or even pain .

These spots can appear anywhere on the body. However, they are most common in young people, especially those under the age of eighteen:

• On the face
• On the scalp (scalp)
• Where the skin touches each other (for example, armpits, inside of elbows)

In addition to these main characteristics, you can also see other things like this with bark beetles:

• The skin becomes dry, cracked, and sometimes even bleeding .
• Nails may become thick and pitted nails may develop.
• Arthritis , which means conditions such as pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints .

Just think, sometimes even if you think it's just a skin disease, there may be other problems like this inside. That's why it's important to be well-informed about this.

What are the main types of bark beetles?

There are different types of psoriasis. Let's look at some of the most common types.

1. Plaque Psoriasis

This is the most common type of psoriasis . As mentioned earlier, red, thick plaques and silvery scales are the main features. They most commonly appear on the knees, elbows, lower back, and scalp . They can be itchy , painful, and can sometimes burst and bleed .

2. Guttate Psoriasis

This type often appears after an illness , especially a throat infection, such as `` Strep throat ''. It causes small red spots to appear all over the body, especially on the chest, back, arms, and legs. Sometimes, these spots can also be seen on the face, scalp, and ears.

3. Inverse Psoriasis

This type of rash is characterized by soft, red, slightly moist, and painful patches . They most often appear in areas where the skin touches each other. For example, they can be found in the armpits, buttocks, above the eyelids , in the groin and genital areas, or in women, under the breasts .

You see, right? Even though it's the same skin tag, it can have different forms. That's why it's important to see a doctor to identify exactly what it is.

Why do we get acne? What is the cause?

A question that many people have is what exactly causes this skin condition `(Psoriasis). To be honest, the exact cause has not yet been found . However, doctors have found that it is related to our body's immune system .

Simply put, it's like this. The job of our immune system is to fight germs and diseases that enter the body. But in people with psoriasis , some of the cells in this immune system become overactive . Then these cells, our skin cells, start growing faster than normal. So, the body doesn't have time to get rid of these newly formed skin cells. That's when these cells accumulate on the surface of the skin in the form of those previously mentioned plaques.

It has also been found that there is a genetic predisposition to this. This means that if someone in the family has psoriasis, others are at risk of developing it too. Approximately 40% of people with psoriasis have a family member who has the disease .

This can start in anyone, at any age. It's important to remember that it's not contagious from one person to another .

What are these "flare-ups" of the bark?

Psoriasis symptoms can sometimes disappear completely and then suddenly reappear. This is when symptoms increase and become worse, which is called a "flare-up" .

There are some reasons that can lead to such escalations, or even worsen the existing situation. Let's take a look at what they are:

• Infections: Especially things like throat infections (Strep throat) and the common cold.
• Some medications: For example, some medications like `(Lithium)` and `(Beta-blockers)`.
• Stress: This is a major factor affecting many diseases.
• Skin irritations: Sometimes even a minor scratch can cause an increase in skin rashes.
• Cold weather: Cold, dry weather also affects some people.
• Drinking alcohol.
• Smoking.

See? Staying as far away from these things as possible helps a lot in controlling bark beetles.

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

Doctors usually diagnose psoriasis by examining your skin, scalp, and nails . In addition, your doctor will ask you if anyone in your family has psoriasis, if you have had any recent illnesses, or if you have started taking any new medications.

Very rarely, doctors will take a small piece of skin and send it for a biopsy . This biopsy can help the doctor determine for sure whether it is a skin rash or another skin condition with similar symptoms.

"Therefore, if you have these symptoms, it's best to see a doctor and seek advice rather than trying to cope on your own."

How do you treat bark beetles?

Psoriasis is usually treated by a dermatologist . Sometimes, a doctor who treats diseases related to the immune system, such as a rheumatologist , may also help with treatment.

There are several treatment options. Let's take a look at what they are:

• Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or UV light treatments at home or in a clinic under medical advice. However, for some people, sunlight can cause more skin irritation, so this should only be done under medical advice.
• Creams, lotions, oils, and shampoos: For example, moisturizers, creams containing corticosteroids, creams containing vitamin D, and shampoos containing salicylic acid or coal tar are the most common first-line treatments.
• Oral or injectable medications: If the condition is severe, the doctor may resort to these types of treatments.

The doctor may sometimes use one treatment for a while and then switch to another. Or they may use a combination of treatments. The important thing is to find the treatment that works for each person .

Sometimes a treatment that worked well for a while may not work as well later on. That's why it's so important to work closely with your doctor . Trying new treatments can be a little nerve-wracking at times, but most people eventually find a treatment that works for them.

What else do we need to know when living with psoriasis?

As a person with psoriasis, adopting a healthy lifestyle can help you a lot. Here are some things you can do:

• " If you smoke, quit. Smoking is a major cause of acne in some people."
• " Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of treatments for scabies."
• " Eat a good, nutritious diet. Eating more fruits and vegetables can help protect against other diseases that can aggravate scabies."
• " Maintain a healthy weight. This can especially reduce the risk of developing the aforementioned inverse psoriasis."
• " Keep your skin clean and well-moisturized. Using bath salts or oils daily and applying a good moisturizer afterward can help relieve the symptoms of flaky skin."

People with psoriasis can feel a little uncomfortable thinking about how they look. Sometimes they can feel ashamed and sad. At times like these, meeting with a therapist or joining a support group with people who are suffering from the same condition as you can be a great relief . Then you will feel that you are not alone.

The most important thing is to follow the treatment prescribed by the doctor exactly . If you are told to apply an ointment twice a day, it is important to set an ``Alarm`` on your phone so that you do not forget to do it. Skin cancer is a disease that requires attention to treatment, even when you feel well.

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so, here are the most important things to keep in mind from what we've talked about:

• Psoriasis is a long-term skin disease, not a contagious disease .
• Although there is no complete cure for this, symptoms can be well controlled with current treatments .
• If you have symptoms,Be sure to see a doctor, get an accurate diagnosis, and start treatment.
• Following medical advice exactly and living a healthy lifestyle are very important to control this condition.
• Don't get depressed about this. You are not alone . Get psychological support if you need it.

If you want to know more about psoriasis, ask your doctor. There are also reliable websites like the National Psoriasis Foundation and TalkPsoriasis.

So, I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any questions, don't be shy and don't forget to ask a doctor!

Psoriasis, Skin Diseases, Treatment, Symptoms, Sri Lanka