Is Chronic Plaque Psoriasis Contagious

What Is The Best Scalp Psoriasis Treatment

Scalp psoriasis is a form of plaque psoriasis that affects the scalp, hairline, behind the ears, and the forehead. It can often give the appearance of flakes of dandruff. When considering what is the best scalp psoriasis treatment, there are over the counter shampoos that may have some effect. When these do not work, consulting with a dermatologist could see you being prescribed any of the following:

• Coal tar
• Dithranol
• Vitamin D based creams

The important factor with these treatments is to ensure that they are actually applied to the scalp and not to the hair. A consultation with an expert will see a treatment plan being drawn up as well as advice on how to effectively apply any treatments.

Treatments mentioned in this article

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes red patches of inflamed skin with silver-white scales, often on the elbows and knees but also commonly affecting the scalp, face and folds of skin . It is an autoimmune disease, which is not contagious, and occurs when the bodys immune system mistakes healthy cells for dangerous substances.

Should I Avoid Any Foods Or Drinks If I Have Plaque Psoriasis

Certain foods and drinks may contribute to plaque psoriasis flare-ups. If you have plaque psoriasis, its a good idea to keep track of what you eat and drink in a food journal. Keeping track of what you eat and drink can help you and your healthcare provider determine any causes of your flare-ups.

An anti-inflammatory diet may limit your plaque psoriasis flare-ups. Foods that have anti-inflammatory properties include:

• Oily fish, such as mackerel, salmon or sardines.
• Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale.
• Olive oil.

Foods and drinks that may cause flare-ups may include:

• Alcohol.
• Dairy, including cows milk and eggs.
• Citrus fruits, including lemons, limes and oranges.
• Gluten .
• Nightshade vegetables, including peppers, potatoes and tomatoes.

What Is The Best Treatment For Psoriasis

When considering the best treatment for psoriasis, it is important to consult an expert in dermatology. To the untrained eye, psoriasis and eczema can sometimes be confused and is vital to know that the right condition is being treated. At the Cadogan Clinic, a consultation with a dermatologist will see your condition being assessed and an appropriate treatment plan being devised.

The treatments that are available for psoriasis include:

Topical

This treatment covers creams and ointments and are often the first method tried for mild psoriasis. They are applied directly to the affected areas and will often take up to 6 weeks for there to be a noticeable improvement.

These see patients being exposed to both natural and artificial light. It is not the same as using a subbed and only a qualified specialist can carry out this treatment. Ultraviolet B treatment sees a light being used that is invisible to the human eye. It is effective at allowing down skin cell production. Psoralen plus ultraviolet A, sees a tablet being taken that increases the skin’s sensitivity to light. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB.

Systemic

This refers to the use of oral or injected medications. These can be classed as non-biological and biological. The first involves taking tablets or capsules whilst the second involves the use of injections.

Words from our clients:

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Diagnosis Of Guttate Psoriasis

Your doctor will want to know your medical history, especially what kinds of medications you may be taking. Theyâll look at your skin. Usually, a physical exam gives your doctor enough information to diagnose or rule out guttate psoriasis.

If they need more information, your doctor may take a blood sample or a throat culture to check for strep. Itâs also common for doctors to perform a skin biopsy when they want to know for sure what you have.

Can I Have Sex If I Have A Plaque Psoriasis Flare

Yes, you can have sex if you have a plaque psoriasis flare-up on your genitals or in your genital region, including your inner thighs, butt crack or the skin just above your genitals .

Plaque 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 having sex.

If you have a plaque psoriasis flare-up 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 plaque psoriasis medications.

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How Do I Take Care Of Myself

If you have plaque psoriasis, the best way to take care of yourself is to:

• Take medications as instructed.
• Use moisturizer regularly, especially after bathing.
• Avoid harsh soaps.

Other steps to stay as healthy as possible include:

• Talking to your healthcare provider about lowering your risk for related conditions, including heart disease, depression and diabetes.
• Lowering your stress through meditation or exercise or seeing a mental health professional.

How Can Psoriasis Be Treated

Home Care

• Take a bath daily: When you bathe daily, you help to remove the scales from the skin and this calms the inflamed skin. You can use bath oil, Epsom salts as well as colloidal oatmeal in the bath water. Avoid very hot water and instead use lukewarm water with mild soap to avoid worsening the symptoms.

• Using moisturizers: After bathing, always ensure you use a moisturizer before the skin hardens. If you have very dry skin, you can use oils as an alternative. This is because of their staying power on your skin. If its in a cold or dry season, consider applying moisturizers several times during the day.

• Avoid skin exposure to the sun: It is advisable to control the amount of sunlight you expose your skin to. Too much heat from the sun can trigger the symptoms and even worsen them. This also runs the risk of development of skin cancer.

• Avoid triggers: It is advisable to find out the triggers that youre most vulnerable to and try to avoid them. This makes it easier for you to manage the condition.

• Avoid alcohol: Indulging in alcohol consumption can lower the effectiveness of the treatment for psoriasis.

Medications

When undergoing treatment for psoriasis, you aim to slow down the process of cells growth which reduces skin inflammation as well as formation of plaque, and to smoothen the skin by getting rid of the scales. There are 3 main types of psoriasis treatments. Systematic medications, tropical treatment and light therapy.

Tropical treatment

• Coal tar

Light therapy

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What Are The Basic Differences

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disease. That means your immune system becomes dysfunctional and chronically activated, resulting in skin changes. It causes raised, red, scaly patches on your skin or scalp.

There are multiple subtypes of psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is the most common and accounts for nearly 80-90 percent of psoriasis cases.

People with plaque psoriasis typically have sharply demarcated, raised, itchy, painful red plaques covered with silvery scales. The plaques are most often found on elbows and knees, but they can occur anywhere.

Eczema is an inflammation of the skin that can have numerous triggers. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It typically occurs in people with a personal or family history of asthma, hay fever or other allergies, and it is often seen in children. It makes skin more sensitive and more prone to infection.

At any time in your life, you can develop eczema from dry skin or chemicals that contact the skin and trigger irritation or allergic reactions.

Neither psoriasis nor eczema is contagious, Dr. Fernandez says. But while you cant pass them from person to person, they may run in families.

What Is The Best Cream To Treat Psoriasis

If patients are suffering from mild psoriasis, they often like to know about the best cream for psoriasis. In truth, there is no single best cream to treat the condition: how effective any of these are will depend upon your skin type, your lifestyle, and the extent of your psoriasis. A dermatologist can advise on the best cream for psoriasis and those that can be considered include:

Emollients

These act to moisturise the skin and can reduce itchiness and scaling. Often these are used as a base before another cream is applied.

Steroid creams

Topical corticosteroids can be used on most parts of the body. They work by reducing inflammation as well as slowing down the production of skin cells.

Vitamin D analogues

These are often used in combination with steroid creams. They are effective in cases of mild psoriasis and slow the production of skin cells whilst also reducing inflammation.

Calcineurin inhibitors

These can assist by reducing inflammation and also reduce the activity of the immune system.

Coal tar

Often combined with phototherapy, coal tar is a traditional treatment for psoriasis. It helps with the appearance of scales as well as reducing itchiness and inflammation.

Dithranol

Having been used for over 50 years as a form of treatment for psoriasis, it works by suppressing the production of skin cells. It is now often used in combination with phototherapy.

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Beyond The Skin And The Nail

Nail psoriasis is considered a precursor of a severe inflammatory joint disorder. There is a positive association between nail psoriasis and the severity of joint involvement. Nail psoriasis is also correlated with enthesitis, polyarticular disease, and unremitting progressive arthritis. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging studies have found that psoriatic arthritis related DIP joint inflammatory reaction is very extensive which frequently involves the nail matrix and often extends to involve the nail bed. This is mainly due to the attachment of fibers of ligaments and tendons of DIP joint close to the matrix. The presence of joint or nail symptoms may indicate a severe form of psoriasis, and this will affect how the disease is managed. It is important, therefore, for dermatologists to be aware of the early symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, particularly in patients with nail psoriasis, in order to avoid progressive joint damage.

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How Can I Treat Psoriasis Naturally

Various medications and therapies are available that your doctor will prescribe. However, along with this, some natural foods and certain lifestyle changes can reduce the severity of psoriasis and delay its relapses. This will help treat psoriasis naturally and get rid of psoriasis symptoms faster than with medication alone.

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables: It has been observed that eating habits influence skin health. Certain anti-inflammatory foods can slow down the inflammation in psoriasis and reduce its recurrence. These foods are usually rich in antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium. These include:
• Fruits and veggies
• Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids
• Herbs and spices
• Olive oil, seeds, and nuts

Avoid foods that can make psoriasis worse. These include:

Before going for the above dietary and lifestyle modifications, discuss with your doctor about which ones will work better for you.

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Can I Pass Psoriasis On To My Children

While psoriasis is not contagious, it does have a genetic component, which means it can be inherited. About 40% of patients with psoriasis have a family history of the disease. However, just because you have psoriasis does not mean you will always pass it on to your children. If one parent has psoriasis, there is about a 10% chance of passing it on to offspring. If psoriasis affects both parents, there is a 50% chance of passing it on to their children.

Clinical Trials For Psoriasis

Before a new treatment can be registered in Australia it must undergo extensive testing. Clinical trials are used to determine the safety and effectiveness of new treatments for psoriasis. The regulations governing clinical trials in Australia make the process as safe as possible for clinical trial participants. People with psoriasis may consider volunteering to participate in a clinical trial. Participation provides volunteers with access to cutting edge treatments that are not otherwise available. General information about being part of a clinical trial can be found here. Internationally, ClinicalTrials.gov provides patients, their family members, and the public with easy and free access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, talk to your doctor.

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Psoriasis: Is It Contagious

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition where the skin turns red, scaly and itchy. Although Psoriasis affects all age groups, it is mainly seen in adults, affecting men and women equally. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that may have genetic & environmental triggers. The patches of affected skin may cover small areas such as the knees, elbows, and scalp, palms, and soles of the feet or completely cover the body. Any skin injury may trigger psoriatic skin changes around the broken skin, known as the Koebner phenomenon. Psoriasis cannot be cured but symptoms can be controlled with the correct treatment. Most cases- around 75% are treated with topical creams alone.

What is Psoriasis?

The disease occurs when skin cells rise too fast from their origin below the skin’s surface and pile up on the surface before they are mature. Usually skin cells are replaced about once a month, called turnover, but in psoriasis it usually happens within a few days.

Is There A Cure For Psoriasis

Unfortunately, there is no cure for psoriasis. However, there are multiple ways to manage the disease. Medications, light therapy, stress reduction, adjunctive therapy sessions, moisturizers with salicylic acid, and sunlight are treatments. Some treatments can be used together. For best results, many clinicians suggest psoriasis be managed by a dermatologist skilled in treating this chronic disease.

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What Is The Difference Between Mild And Severe Psoriasis

When looking at the best treatment for psoriasis, it is of course important to consider the extent of the condition. Mild psoriasis will have other treatment options that are not suitable for a severe case. In terms of mild psoriasis, this means that less than 3% of the body is affected. Severe cases see more than 10% of the body displaying signs of the disease. Often, whether you will suffer from mild psoriasis or severe is dependant upon the form of the disease that you have:

Plaque psoriasis

This is the most common form of psoriasis and accounts for 80%-90% of all cases. Plaque builds up on the skin and displays as the classic white to silver scales that are often associated with the condition. Plaque psoriases commonly affects the face, scalp, elbows, and knees but tends to be mild.

Guttate psoriasis

This form of psoriasis displays significantly different when compared to plaque psoriasis. A sufferer will have potentially hundreds of red dots and spots and often will have a rash that appears. This is often mild but can sometimes be severe.

Erythrodermic psoriasis

This is a rare form of psoriasis that is severe and can also be life-threatening. It sees those with the condition having the majority of their body covered in a red, peeling, and extremely painful rash. This leaves them prone to infection as well as other health complications.

Who Gets Psoriasis That Affect The Joints

Years after developing psoriasis on their skin, some people get a type of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis, which affects the joints. Its also possible to develop psoriatic arthritis before getting psoriasis on your skin.

Its not possible to predict who will get psoriatic arthritis. For this reason, its important for people who have psoriasis to pay attention to their joints.

Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can worsen and damage joints. This damage is irreversible and can cause a lifelong disability. Treatment can prevent psoriatic arthritis from worsening.

Early warning signs of psoriatic arthritis include:

• A swollen and tender joint, especially within a finger or toe

• Heel pain

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What If Those Psoriasis Treatments Dont Work

If psoriasis doesnt improve, your healthcare provider may recommend these treatments:

• Light therapy: UV light at specific wavelengths can decrease skin inflammation and help slow skin cell production.
• PUVA: This treatment combines a medication called psoralen with exposure to a special form of UV light.
• Methotrexate: Providers sometimes recommend this medication for severe cases. It may cause liver disease. If you take it, your provider will monitor you with blood tests. You may need periodic liver biopsies to check your liver health.
• Retinoids: These vitamin A-related drugs can cause side effects, including birth defects.
• Cyclosporine: This medicine can help severe psoriasis. But it may cause high blood pressure and kidney damage.
• Immune therapies: Newer immune therapy medications work by blocking the bodys immune system so it cant jumpstart an autoimmune disease such as psoriasis.

Who Gets Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a long-term scaling disease of the skin which affects around 1 in 50 people, which is about 1.3 million, or around 2% of the UK population. IT IS NOT CONTAGIOUS and you cannot catch psoriasis from someone else. It usually appears as red, raised, scaly patches known as plaques. Any part of the skin surface may be involved but the plaques most commonly appear on the elbows, knees and scalp. It can be itchy but is not usually painful. Nail changes, including pitting and ridging, are present in nearly half of all those who have psoriasis.

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What You Can Do

Most people who get plaque psoriasis have it for the rest of their lives. You can do a few things to deal with it better:

Avoid triggers. Things like stress and smoking don’t cause psoriasis. But they can make it worse. Try to figure out what triggers your flare-ups. You may be affected by:

• Alcohol
• Cold, dry weather
• Hormones

Watch your diet. There’s no proof that specific foods make a difference with psoriasis. But losing weight may keep your symptoms at bay, so it makes sense to eat healthy. And a diet low in fatty meat and dairy products and high in fish and colorful fruits and vegetables may help with inflammation. Read more on psoriasis and your diet.

Take care of your skin. A good moisturizer can keep plaques soft and make you less itchy. Avoid harsh soaps.A bath with colloidal oatmeal or Epsom salts can also soothe your skin. Try using medicated shampoo for scales on your scalp. Learn about more skin care tips for psoriasis.

Get support. Plaque psoriasis can take an emotional toll. You may feel self-conscious about the way it looks or overwhelmed by what it takes to manage it. Many people with psoriasis become depressed. If you think you need some help, talk with your doctor about therapy or medication. It also helps to talk with people who understand what you’re going through and can offer strategies for coping. Find out how to get emotional support during psoriasis treatment.

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