Understanding Psoriasis: A Non-Contagious Skin Condition

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What if I were to tell you, not all skin conditions are contagious? While some people may already be cognizant of this fact, other people might not be. All over the world, hundreds of skin diseases exist and they affect millions of people. Some skin diseases are mild, while others can be severe enough to disable or kill a person. Psoriasis in particular, is one of many skin conditions that isn’t contagious, and while it’s usually not fatal, it is considered to be a chronic health condition. Psoriasis, which is defined by Merriam-Webster as: “A chronic skin disease characterized by circumscribed red patches covered with white scales.” is classified as a non-infectious autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune …show more content…

The most common type being plaque psoriasis (Holland). Plaque psoriasis affects close to 5 million people in the United States. Studies show that plaque psoriasis tends to develop at the same rate in men and women. Generally this type of psoriasis will develop between adolescence and a person’s mid-thirties, however, it can develop at any age. For those who live with plaque psoriasis, it is essential to know what treatments are available for this particular type. In general, a topical medication would be the first step in treating a patient with plaque psoriasis. Depending on the severity of the psoriasis, or if the topical medications are unsuccessful, oral medications may be introduced. Other recommendations include phototherapy and laser therapy. The National Psoriasis Foundation defines plaque psoriasis …show more content…

Inverse psoriasis affects the folds of the skin and it displays vivid red lesions that appear as a smooth and shiny rash, unlike other types of psoriasis. Generally, it doesn’t display the scaly appearance of plaque psoriasis. Although it may not look as severe as other types of psoriasis, it is known to be one of the most painful and difficult to treat. The most common areas of skin affected are areas where skin rubs against skin, such as under the arms, under the breasts, in the groin, or around skinfolds in the genital area. The skin in these areas is often far more sensitive than other areas of the body. The skin in these areas is known to retain moisture, such as sweat or water, causing further irritation and making it more prone to psoriasis flare ups. The affected skin becomes very sore and inflamed. Since the rash thrives in the skin folds, overweight or obese people tend to be at a much higher risk for developing inverse psoriasis. The most common forms of treatment for this type of psoriasis are topical medications, such as steroid creams and ointments, as well as phototherapy. If the inverse psoriasis isn’t getting better after those two treatment options, biologic drugs are then given. Biologic drugs work by using proteins to block the way the immune system responds, reducing future attacks. Treating inverse psoriasis can be extremely difficult considering the affected

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