How do I recognise it?
Psoriasis signs and symptoms can vary from person to person but may include one or more of the following:
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Red patches of skin covered with silvery scales
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Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children)
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Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
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Itching, burning or soreness
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Thickened, pitted or ridged nails
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Swollen and stiff joints.
Causes
The cause of Psoriasis is related to the immune system, and more specifically, a type of white blood cell called a T lymphocyte or T cell. Normally, T cells travel throughout the body to detect and fight off foreign substances, such as viruses or bacteria. If you have psoriasis, however, the T cells attack healthy skin cells by mistake as if to heal a wound or to fight an infection.
How do you treat it?
Like any disease, even if there is no cure, there is almost always something you can do to manage it and take control. There are three main areas involved in the treatment of any disease:
For information on medicines and therapies relevant to Psoriasis, make an appointment at Lynch's Pharmacy, Broadale, Douglas, Cork on 021-4366923.
Learn all about the drugs used to treat Psoriasis and any complementary medicines or therapies proven to help. Equip yourself with the tools to manage the condition and not be managed by it.
How do you live with it?
Certain adjustments may be needed to get on with your life, and often, some simple tips and advice can go a long way to making these changes.
When you come to a Lynch's Pharmacy Clinic, we give you all the necessary information available to make your life more manageable and allow you to better live with your condition.
References
Psoriasis- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoriasis
Psoriasis, a comprehensive review http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/psoriasis/DS00193/tab=InDepth
https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Psoriasis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
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