Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease in which itchy, scaly pink patches, usually covered with whitish scales, form on the elbows, knees, scalp and other parts of the body. It is one of the most common skin diseases in Britain, affecting about 2% of the population, but its cause is not known. There does seem to be some hereditary link in psoriasis, but often symptoms may not appear until adulthood. The severity of the condition can vary enormously from person to person and time to time. While psychological stress may cause an exacerbation of psoriasis, the only significant event that precipitates the disease is a preceding streptococcal infection.

When someone is suffering from psoriasis the skin cells in certain parts of the body replicate much faster than normal. Skin cells originate in the deep layers of the skin and usually take about 28 days to come to the surface where they are sloughed off. However, in areas of skin affected by psoriasis this process takes only 8 days or less for new cells to accumulate so quickly that they never have a chance to mature.

Clinical patterns

Although there are various clinical patterns psoriasis tends to be a symmetrical eruption but unilateral lesions do occur too.

Forms of Psoriasis:

Plaque psoriasis

This is the most common form of psoriasis. Characteristically the plaques occur on the extensor surfaces of the knees and elbows. The lesions tend to be discoid or coin shaped. The size may vary from one to several centimeters. Other common sites involved are the scalp, particularly behind the ears, and the sacral region. The face is an uncommon site to be involved.

Guttate psoriasis

Here the lesions appear suddenly usually over the upper trunk although the limbs, face and scalp may be affected. The lesions are small and tend to vary from one to ten millimeters. Guttate psoriasis is most commonly seen in children and young adults and typically follows a streptococcal upper respiratory tract infection.

Erythrodermic psoriasis

This term denotes 100% involvement of the skin’s surface. It may occur in disease other than psoriasis, notably eczema and skin lymphomas. In erythrodermic psoriasis the skin is redder (as the name implies) and the thick, white scaling is not usually present. The scales appear to be shed more rapidly instead of being heaped up and retained, although the surface of the skin is scaly. This form is very rare, and is usually found in young and middle aged adults.

Pustular psoriasis

This form is associated with pustules as part of the morphology. There are two distinct forms of pustular psoriasis, one generalized on different parts of the body and the other localised either on the hands or feet.

Flexural or Intertriginous psoriasis

This form involving the perianal skin and genitalia is a common presentation in children.


Precipitating factors:

There are a number of known precipitating factors in psoriasis. However, not all will precipitate or exacerbate the disease in different individuals. It appears that there are modifying factors in different patients which govern whether lesions will be produced in a given instance.

Infections

Streptococcal infection is probably the most definite known trigger. The pattern of disease produced by streptococcal infections is guttate psoriasis. Patients with established chronic plaque psoriasis may develop an acute flare-up, which is similar to the guttate type eruption, on the trunk and limbs.

Hormonal factors

Female sex hormones appear to be able to influence psoriasis. An increased incidence of onset has been reported at both puberty and the menopause. Pregnancy usually has a beneficial effect (50% of patients in one trial series reported improvement during pregnancy).

Psychogenic factors

There is no doubt that in a proportion of patients psychogenic stress does appear to precipitate or exacerbate psoriasis. Although it is difficult to measure stress and how different individuals react to it, it is well established that stress does influence the endocrine system, which in turn affects immunological responses, as they occur in psoriasis.

Drugs

Certain drugs in a small proportion of patients affect the condition but this should not be considered as a contraindication to their use. The systemic corticosteroids group of drugs has a beneficial effect on psoriasis, but when the dose is reduced, or the drug stopped, there may be a rebound exacerbation of the disease. For this reason systemic steroids should not be used in the treatment of psoriasis.

Trauma

It has been known for over 100 years that localised trauma to the skin may precipitate psoriasis in a proportion of patients (Koebner phenomenon). The psoriasis appears some 2-4 weeks after trauma to the skin, precisely at the site of the injury. The nature of the injury is not important providing there is damage to the epidermis (from cuts, grazes, burns, herpes zoster, impetigo, fungal infections and eczema). Sunlight, which usually has a beneficial effect on psoriasis, will also induce psoriasis if the patient damages the skin by “sunburn.” However, the Koebner phenomenon is probably more important for research than as a clinical entity.

Treatment

Although there is as yet no cure, treatment of psoriasis has improved in recent years. Treatment is by means of various creams and ointments containing coal tar, corticosteroids, salicylic acid and anthralin. Moderate sunlight is helpful and also synthetic Vitamin A may be prescribed. PuVA therapy may be used to treat more extensive or severe psoriasis. If possible systemic therapy (methotrexate, retinoids or cyclosporin) should be reserved for the worst cases and ideally avoided.

The very nature of psoriasis, by way of its propensity for spontaneous relapse and remission, makes the management difficult and variable according to circumstances. This is because as stress, either in mental or physical form, is a known precipitating or exacerbating factor psychological counseling and in-depth interviews to encourage an understanding and acceptance of underlying problems may be advisable. Periods of rest, away from environmental pressures which may have compounded the problem, is often of benefit.

The treatments below have worked on many of our clients - see our testimonials page:

Intensive Skin Therapy Spray

Starting at: £9.99

Natural skin spray for eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, dry and itchy skin conditions.

Formulated for every day use on children over 12 months and adults.

Starts working immediately to stop skin itching and provides a soothing and calming effect on irritated and aggravated skin.

Free from steroids, paraffin, alcohol, parabens, lanolin, anti-biotics and any other harmful chemicals.

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Zeoderm Skin Repair Moisturiser

Starting at: £8.99

Soothing dry skin, itch relief, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal moisturiser for those hard to treat dry skin, eczema, psoriasis and skin allergy conditions.

Zeoderm Dry Skin Repair Moisturiser is a 100% safe and natural topical cream that has been specially formulated for eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, urticaria, latex allergy, acne, wounds, burns, blisters, skin allergies and other uncomfortable skin conditions.

You should use Zeoderm when the skin is aggravated, irritated, dry or when healing of the skin is required.

Like all Salcura products, Zeoderm Dry Skin Repair Moisturiser is free from steroids, paraffin, alcohol, parabens, lanolin, anti-biotics and any other harmful chemicals.

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Body Psoriasis Treatment Pack

£32.99

This pack contains the correct products for anyone suffering from body psoriasis and body skin flare ups. The caring and nourishing ingredienst contained in Body Hydrator will help to moisturise skin whilst Zeoderm Skin Repair Cream and Intensive Skin Therapy Spray will combat the symptoms, itching and irritation associated with body psoriasis. This product combination is perfect for healing and repairing sore and aggravated body skin that is also dry and flaking.

This pack contains: Zeoderm 50g, Body Hydrator 200ml and Intensive 100ml.

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Scalp Psoriasis Treatment Pack

£26.99

This pack contains the correct products for anyone suffering from scalp psoriasis and scalp skin flare ups. The caring and nourishing ingredients contained in Shampoo will help to cleanse and moisturise scalp skin skin whilst Intensive Skin Therapy Spray will combat the symptoms, itching and irritation associated with scalp psoriasis.

This pack contains: Shampoo 200ml, Conditioner 200ml and Intensive 100ml.

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Baby Psoriasis Treatment Pack

£27.99

This pack contains our most successful baby treatments for any baby or infant suffering from eczema and flare ups including dry and sensitive skin. These products can ne used on an area of the body and as many times a day as needed. The caring and nourishing ingredienst contained in Bath Oil and Zeoderm Skin Repair Moisturiser will help to cleanse and moisturise skin whilst Gentle Skin Therapy Spray will combat the symptoms, itching and irritation associated with baby and infantile psoriasis. 

This pack contain: Bath Oil 225ml, Zeoderm 50ml and Gentle 50ml.

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Face Psoriasis Treatment Pack

£28.99

This pack contains the right combination of product for anyone suffering from facial psoriasis and flare ups including dry and sensitive skin. The caring and nourishing ingredienst contained in Face Wash and Face Hydrator will help to cleanse and moisturise skin whilst Gentle Skin Therapy Spray will combat the symptoms, itching and irritation associated with facial psoriasis. 

This pack contains: Face Wah 200ml, Face Hydrator 75ml and Gentle 50ml.

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Hand Psoriasis Treatment Pack

£23.99

This pack is the correct solution for anyone suffering from hand psoriasis and flare ups including dry and sensitive skin. The caring and nourishing ingredienst contained in Hand Wash and Hand Hydrator will help to cleanse and moisturise skin whilst Intensive Skin Therapy Spray will combat the symptoms, itching and irritation associated with hand psoriasis. This product combination is perfect for healing and repairing cracked and sore hand skin

This pack contains: Hand Wash 225ml, Hand Hydrator 75ml and Intensive 50ml.

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