Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skinconditionwith symptoms thatinclude flaky skin patches that resultin scales.Unfortunately, there is no ‘known’ cure, mainly because researchers have avague understanding of its pathophysiology.

Psoriasis appears to be more common innorthern Europe. Psoriasis affects around 2 in 100 people in the UK. According tothe World Psoriasis Day consortium, there are 125 million sufferers globally,close to2.2% of the worldpopulation. There isa sharp risein newly diagnosed casesevery year.Onset can beat any age, but it tends to developbetween 20 and 30and between 50 and 60

Our bodies usually make and replacethe cells in our skinsevery threeto four weeks, but in Psoriasis,this process only takes about threeto seven days.

Researchers consider Psoriasis an ‘autoimmune’ condition, which meansthe body responds to this anomaly by producing immune cells and antibodies that target the skin, inflicting all the damage and symptoms associated with Psoriasis.Like other autoimmune diseases, this problem is still not fully understood. Researchers believe Psoriasis results fromthe old-fashionedconcept of nature and nurture.

For the nature part, your genesput you at risk of developingthis condition. For instance, having a family member or a close relative with Psoriasis will inadvertently increase your risk for this ailment.

On the other hand, the nurture part is not fully understood asscientists theorize that anything in the environmentcantrigger an immune reaction, including viral infections, toxins, foods, and exposure to certain chemicals.