Understanding Psoriasis

To effectively treat psoriasis we must begin with an understanding of what psoriasis is. The word Psoriasis gets its name from the Greek word psōra meaning "itch," Psoriasis is a re-occurring, non-contagious skin condition which is characterized by areas of inflamed lesions covered with silvery-white scabs of dead skin. As a result, itchy, scaly red patches appear, often on the elbows, hands, feet, and scalp, but they can show up on other parts of your body.

In normal skin conditions, new skin cells take about a month or so to move from the deepest skin layer where they're produced, to the surface where they die and flake off. With psoriasis, the entire skin cell life cycle is accelerated and this process is completed in only a few days. Because the body can't shed old skin as rapidly as new cells are rising to the surface, raised patches of dead skin accumulate on the arms, back, chest, elbows, legs, nails, folds between the buttocks, and scalp.

Stress Can Cause Psoriasis

Scientists have long sought to learn whether and how stress can lead to skin problems. A new study in mice shows that a stress-triggered hormone could worsen or even cause skin disorders like psoriasis.

The scientists found that blocking the hormone called glucocorticoid—which increases in stressful times—resulted in better skin.

Understanding how glucocorticoids work could help scientists come up with ways to prevent human skin problems triggered by psychological stress, said lead researcher Kenneth Feingold of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco and the University of California at San Francisco.

Stress can be an initiating symptom of psoriasis. Stress may aslo contribute to a worsening of existing lesions. Just the fact of having psoriasis is, in itself, psychologically and emotionally stressful. Lack of understanding by spouse, parents, children, other family members, friends, and co-workers can add another level of stress. Controlling stress is a powerful treatment in controlling psoriasis.