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Does Psoriasis Spread From Person To Person

Can Psoriasis Spread By Touch

Psoriasis Treatment – Explained by Dermatologist

Articles On Psoriasis Causes & Risk Factors

Psoriasis causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. It can look like a rash, so you may worry that you could get it from someone else or pass it to others. But rest easy: Its not contagious. You cannot catch the disease by touching someone who has it.

Does drinking water help with psoriasis? When patients are fighting conditions such as psoriasis, hydration can be used to keep the skin moisturized and decrease flare-ups for those who experience psoriasis and other skin conditions.

What organs are affected by psoriasis?

Living with psoriasis can be difficult enough, but new research suggests sufferers may be at a higher risk for other serious diseases affecting vital organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys.

Can psoriasis cause dementia? Conclusion. In summary, patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are at a high risk of developing both non-vascular and vascular dementia. Those with severe psoriasis may not have a higher risk of death from dementia.

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How Do You Develop Psoriasis

The exact cause of psoriasis isnt fully understood. Its thought that overactive T cells, which are cells that fight off viruses and bacteria in your body, are involved. In people with psoriasis, T cells attack healthy skin cells and activate other immune responses. This increases the production of healthy skin cells, T cells, and other white blood cells.

As a result, too many skin cells accumulate on the skins outer layer. This is why some types of psoriasis cause the skin to have a scaly appearance. It normally takes weeks for new skin cells to form, but in people with psoriasis, skin cells form within days. The body doesnt shed the excess cells and psoriasis lesions occur.

People with a compromised immune system, including those with HIV or those who get repeated infections, have a higher risk of getting psoriasis.

Many environmental and lifestyle factors may trigger psoriasis flares. Not everyone with psoriasis has the same triggers. Common triggers are:

  • sun exposure
  • skin trauma, such as cuts, bug bites, and burns
  • stress
  • certain medications, such as lithium, blood pressure medications, and iodides
  • heavy alcohol use

Smoking isnt just a psoriasis trigger. It may also be involved in its development and increase the severity of the disease.

Research shows that smoking may cause one in five cases of psoriasis and doubles your risk of getting the condition. This may be due to the effects of nicotine on skin cells, skin inflammation, and your immune system.

What Else Should I Know

Making healthy choices can help with psoriasis. Here are some things you can do:

  • If you smoke, quit. Smoking can trigger outbreaks of psoriasis in some people.
  • Avoid alcohol. It can make psoriasis treatments less effective.
  • Eat healthy foods. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables can help fend off diseases that might trigger psoriasis.
  • Stay at a healthy weight. This decreases the risk of inverse psoriasis.
  • Keep skin clean and well moisturized. Bathing daily with bath salts or oils and then applying moisturizer can help ease the symptoms of psoriasis.

People who have psoriasis may feel self-conscious about how it looks. That’s one reason why some people turn to a therapist or join a support group of people who understand what they might be going through.

The key to psoriasis treatment is keeping up on whatever your doctor prescribes. If that means applying an ointment twice a day, then find a way to remind yourself to do it so you don’t forget. Psoriasis is one of those things that you need to stay focused on treating, even when you’re feeling OK.

Whether your psoriasis is mild or severe, learn all you can about it. Talk to your doctor or check websites like:

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When Should I Contact My Healthcare Provider

Its a good idea to contact your healthcare provider for any skin condition that involves this kind of reaction, especially if the affected skin appears scaly. Its also important not to try treating it yourself using over-the-counter products unless your healthcare provider says its OK to do so.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Guttate psoriasis is a condition that usually affects children. In most cases, its a temporary issue that will go away on its own. However, about one-third of people who have it will eventually develop chronic psoriasis. Fortunately, guttate psoriasis isnt dangerous. If your child develops an unfamiliar rash especially a scaly rash you should talk to their pediatrician before treating it yourself.

Causes And Risk Factors Of Psoriasis

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Psoriasis, in general, is a genetic condition passed down through families. “It’s likely that multiple genes need to be affected to allow psoriasis to occur and that it’s frequently triggered by an external event, such as an infection,” says James W. Swan, MD, professor of dermatology at the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois.

Certain risk factors, such as a family history or being obese, may increase your odds of developing psoriasis.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation , at least 10 percent of people inherit genes that could lead to psoriasis, but only 3 percent or less actually develop the disease. For this reason, it is believed that the disease is caused by a combination of genetics and external factors or triggers.

A psoriasis outbreak may be provoked by:

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What Is The Difference Between Inverse Psoriasis And Intertrigo

Inverse psoriasis and intertrigo are both inflammatory skin conditions that result in rashes in your skin folds. However, inverse psoriasis and intertrigo have different causes and treatments.

Skin rubbing against itself causes intertrigo. Trapped moisture causes the surfaces of your skin to stick together in your skin folds. The moisture increases the friction, which leads to skin damage and inflammation. Keeping the affected area dry, clean and cool can help alleviate intertrigo.

Inverse psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease. That means your bodys immune system attacks parts of your skin instead of protecting your body from foreign invaders like bacteria or viruses. Treatments can help reduce inverse psoriasis symptoms or make them go away. However, inverse psoriasis is a long-lasting condition, which means flare-ups can occur throughout your life.

What Type Of Psoriasis Treatment Will I Need

Several treatment options can relieve psoriasis. Creams or ointments may be enough to improve the rash in small areas of skin. If the rash affects larger areas, or you also have joint pain, you may need other treatments. Joint pain may be a sign that you have arthritis.

Your provider will decide on a treatment plan based on:

  • Severity of the rash.
  • Vitamin A or retinoid creams.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Guttate Psoriasis

Symptoms of guttate psoriasis include:

  • Round or teardrop-shaped pink or red patches of skin. These patches are usually between 2 millimeters and 10 mm in width. These patches are how the disease got its name, which comes from the Latin word for drop . These patches most often appear on your torso, legs and arms, but can also develop on other parts of your body. Scales of dry skin that peel or flake off the red patches also may appear.
  • Itching. The patches of skin are usually irritated and itchy.

What Is The Difference Between Psoriasis And Inverse Psoriasis

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Psoriasis and inverse psoriasis are both diseases that affect your skin.

Psoriasis features thick, discolored patches of skin covered with white or silvery scales. The thick, scaly patches are plaques.

Inverse psoriasis doesnt feature the thick, scaly plaques like other types of psoriasis, most likely because its present in moist areas of your body. An inverse psoriasis rash also looks shinier than a psoriasis rash.

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What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider

  • How can you tell that I have inverse psoriasis?
  • If I dont have inverse psoriasis, what other skin condition might I have?
  • How can I prevent flare-ups and control my symptoms?
  • What medicines do you recommend?
  • Do the medicines have any side effects?
  • What at-home treatments do you recommend?
  • Do the at-home treatments have any side effects?
  • What else should I do to improve my symptoms?
  • Is there a cream or ointment that you can prescribe?
  • Should I see a dermatologist or another specialist?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Inverse psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that causes a rash in areas of your body where your skin rubs against itself. It can make you feel self-conscious, and it can be unpleasant if it itches. However, it isnt contagious, and treatments can help your symptoms improve.

Its important to pay attention to your skin. Contact your healthcare provider as soon as you notice a rash.

How Is Guttate Psoriasis Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider can usually diagnose guttate psoriasis by examining the affected areas of your skin. They may also order the following tests to confirm their diagnosis:

  • Skin biopsy: A sample of skin may be taken for testing to confirm the diagnosis of guttate psoriasis.
  • Throat swab culture: This test looks for bacteria like those that cause strep throat, especially group A streptococcus. People with guttate psoriasis commonly test positive for this bacteria.
  • Blood tests: Your healthcare provider may order blood testing to look for immune system markers that show a current or recent bacterial infection. These tests are commonly called titers.

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Diet And Psoriasis: What’s The Connection

Can your diet help keep psoriasis under control? Maybe. An observational study published online July 25, 2018, by JAMA Dermatology found that people with psoriasis who followed a Mediterranean diet an eating pattern rich in fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, fruit, nuts, and extra-virgin olive oil experienced fewer severe flare-ups. This was only an association and more research is needed, but experts believe the Mediterranean diet contains many foods that have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body and may offer extra protection against psoriasis triggers.

How Does Psoriasis Affect The Face

How Quickly Does Psoriasis Spread

Around half of people with psoriasis will eventually experience symptoms on the face3. Most people with facial psoriasis symptoms also have symptoms on their scalps, which can spread onto the face. Symptoms on the face can be especially difficult to deal with because they are so visible to others, and not easy to hide. Treatment can also be tricky because the facial skin is so sensitive that many treatments are too harsh and cause irritation. However, there is a range of treatment strategies that people can try out in order to find the best way to relieve their symptoms.

Read more information on symptoms and treatments for psoriasis on the face.

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There Are Ways To Shorten Flare

Psoriasis is a big star on TV drug ads, but this autoimmune skin disease is something most people try to keep well hidden.

“Psoriasis is among the most common skin conditions, affecting about 2% of the U.S. population, and while the condition doesn’t affect everyone the same way, the approach to treatment and prevention is often similar,” says Dr. Gideon Smith, an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

How Do You Get A Psoriasis Diagnosis

Your physician will do a physical exam if they think you have psoriasis. They will probably also ask if you have any symptoms like itchy skin in addition to getting your medical history so they can learn if you have blood relatives with the condition or if youve experienced possible psoriasis triggers.

Your doctor may also remove a very small piece of your skin that can be analyzed to confirm that you have psoriasis, according to the AAD3. A biopsy can also help your doctor rule out other skin disorders and diagnose your specific form of psoriasis, according to the Mayo Clinic1.

For people of color, getting diagnosed with psoriasis can be really frustrating. Often, people with dark skin are misdiagnosed with other skin conditions because theres not enough medical awareness about how psoriasis looks on skin of color.

The length of time youve have psoriasis, any treatments you are using to help your symptoms, and scratching your flare can change the way psoriasis looks, according to Dr. Wassef. So, your physician might do a biopsy just to confirm that you do have psoriasis if they cant tell visually.

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What About Physical Contact

Before doctors knew what caused psoriasis, they often confused it with leprosy — and people who had it were considered contagious. But now we know that you cannot catch the condition by brushing up against someone who has it. You also can’t get it from kissing, having sex, or swimming in the same water.

People get psoriasis because of their genes, not because of bad hygiene, their diet or lifestyle, or any other habits. They didnât get it from someone else, and they cannot infect others.

Even so, thereâs a lot of stigma around the condition, which can be hard for people who have it. They might feel uncomfortable when people stare at their lesions or avoid touching them, and they may try to hide their outbreaks under long clothing.

If you have psoriasis, you can help put an end to confusion and misunderstandings about the disease by talking openly with friends, family, and co-workers. And if you know people who have it, make sure they know that their condition doesn’t affect your opinion of them or make you not want to be around them.

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How Does Psoriasis Affect The Lower Back

What Is Psoriasis?

The torso is another area where plaques can often occur, particularly around the lower back. Sometimes plaques on the lower back may spread downward into the buttock area. Psoriasis symptoms in this area can be treated effectively in many people2.

Read more information on symptoms and treatments for psoriasis on the lower back.

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Psoralen Plus Ultraviolet A

For this treatment, you’ll first be given a tablet containing compounds called psoralens, or psoralen may be applied directly to the skin. This makes your skin more sensitive to light.

Your skin is then exposed to a wavelength of light called ultraviolet A . This light penetrates your skin more deeply than ultraviolet B light.

This treatment may be used if you have severe psoriasis that has not responded to other treatment.

Side effects include nausea, headaches, burning and itchiness. You may need to wear special glasses for 24 hours after taking the tablet to prevent the development of cataracts.

Long-term use of this treatment is not encouraged, as it can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

How To Be Intimate When You Have Genital Psoriasis

If you have genital psoriasis, you can still be intimate. Following this advice can help reduce irritation:

  • When the skin on or around your genitals is raw, postpone sex.

  • Before sex, gently cleanse the area. Be sure to use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. Cleansing will also help prevent psoriasis medication from rubbing onto your partner.

  • Men: Use a lubricated condom. Whether a man or woman has genital psoriasis, this lessens the risk of irritating the inflamed area.

  • After sex, gently wash the area. This helps reduce irritation. If you are using medicine, apply it.

Psoriasis is not contagious

If you have sex with someone who has psoriasis, you will not get psoriasis. Psoriasis is not contagious. Its not a sexually transmitted disease.

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ReferencesBergstrom, KG, Kimball AB. 100 questions & answers about psoriasis. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett.

Meeuwis KA, de Hullu JA, et al. Genital psoriasis awareness program: Physical and psychological care for patients with genital psoriasis. Acta Derm Venereol. 2015 Feb 95:211-6.

Ryan C, Sadlier M, et al. Genital psoriasis is associated with significant impairment in quality of life and sexual functioning. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015 Jun 72:978-83.

Turner J. Inverse psoriasis. National Psoriasis Foundation webinar, presented September 16, 2015.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

The American Academy of Dermatology gratefully acknowledges the support from Amgen and .

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Can I Have Sex If I Have An Inverse Psoriasis Flare

Inverse psoriasis isnt a sexually transmitted disease or infection . Still, it can look like an STD or STI. Its a good idea to be honest with your partner if you have a flare-up. If they have any questions, encourage them to talk to a healthcare provider before you have sex.

If you have inverse psoriasis on your genitals, you may experience discomfort or pain during sex. Sexual lubricants and condoms can help ease discomfort, pain or itching.

After sex, carefully clean and dry your genitals and reapply any inverse psoriasis medications.

Tablets Capsules And Injections

Psoriasis: How Does It Affect Your Health?

If your psoriasis is severe or other treatments have not worked, you may be prescribed systemic treatments by a specialist. Systemic treatments work throughout the entire body.

These medications can be very effective in treating psoriasis, but they all have potentially serious side effects. All the systemic treatments for psoriasis have benefits and risks. Before starting treatment, talk to your doctor about your treatment options and any risks associated with them.

If you’re planning for a baby, become pregnant or are thinking of breastfeeding, you should also speak to your doctor first before taking any new medicine to check it’s suitable for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

There are 2 main types of systemic treatment, called non-biological and biological .

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What Causes Inverse Psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis is an immune system problem. Your immune response overreacts, causing inflammation, which leads to new skin cells growing too fast.

Typically, new skin cells grow every 28 to 30 days. But in people with inverse psoriasis, new cells grow and move to the surface of your skin every three to four days. The buildup of new cells replacing old cells creates a shiny rash.

Inverse psoriasis runs in families, so there may be a genetic trigger. Parents may pass it down to their children.

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