Skin infections?
Does my psoriasis make me more prone to skin infections? It may. Bacteria
normally live on our skin, and research shows that the same types of bacteria
found on healthy skin are also found on psoriasis lesions (although on lesions
they appear in greater numbers). Normally, however, this does not cause infection.
However, if an aggressive type of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus
is present, then the risk of developing a skin infection increases. If you think
you may have an infection, consult your doctor.
Vigourous scratching resulting from itchy scaling can also increase the risk
of infections. If you scratch too strongly, you risk injuring the skin which
then opens the door to a bacterial infection. If you find you cannot avoid hard
scratching, ask your doctor to suggest different options for itch relief.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-FAQ
Injury?
Can psoriasis develop around the site of an injury? Yes. If you have
psoriasis, lesions have been known to occur on parts of skin that have been
injured. This may include areas of scrapes and scratches, sunburns, or places
where you've received a vaccination. This tendency for psoriasis to appear around
injured areas of skin is called the
Koebner phenomenon. Injuries don't
act as a "trigger" for everyone who has psoriasis; nevertheless, this
phenomenon presents another good reason why you should resist picking and scratching
at psoriais lesions.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-FAQ
Hair loss?
I have scalp psoriasis. Does this mean I'll lose my hair? Psoriasis
itself does not cause hair loss. However, severe psoriasis lesions on your scalp,
as well as some treatments such as salicylic acid, may lead to temporary hair
loss. Almost half of everyone who has psoriasis develops scalp psoriasis, and
some of these people will experience thick, crusted plaques on their scalp.
Hair can become entwined with these plaques, and as you attempt to remove these
plaques, hair may go along with it. But because psoriasis does not cause hair
loss, your hair will regrow.
If you have scalp psoriasis and you are concerned about your hair, talk to
your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-FAQ
Genetic predisposition?
Do race or skin colour play a role in developing psoriasis? Race and
skin colour do not play a direct role in whether or not a person is likely to
develop psoriais. Psoriasis is linked to a disorder of the immune system, and
skin colour does not affect the function of the immune system. Nevertheless,
it is known that genetics are involved in the development of the condition,
and so the likelihood of inheriting the responsible genes may differ among racial
groups. For example, people of European descent are more likely than African-Americans
or those of aboriginal origin in North or South America to develop psoriasis.
Research continues into the reasons for these differences, but factors such
as genetics and environmental triggers are believed to be involved.
Interestingly, experts have learned that a genetic predisposition does not
ensure the later development of the condition. It appears an additional environmental
trigger (such as stress or an infection) is needed for psoriasis to occur. Research
is ongoing.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-FAQ
Swimming?
Will swimming in chlorinated or salt water worsen my condition? Swimming
in chlorine or salt water will not necessarily aggravate your psoriasis. If
you have psoriasis, it is a good idea to remain as active as you normally would,
and you may find that swimming is a sport that suits your needs better than
others, as it does not involve much sweating or physical contact (both of which
may irritate sensitive skin). Keep in mind, though, that chlorine often has
a drying effect on skin, so if you're swimming in a chlorinated pool, be sure
to rinse the chlorine off as soon as you're out of the water and make sure that
you apply a heavy cream or lotion afterwards to help trap moisture in your skin.
If you find that the chlorine aggravates your skin, try swimming outdoors in
a lake or in salt water when the weather allows. This may prove gentler on your
skin. Some people find that swimming in salt water offers healing benefits to
their psoriasis.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-FAQ
Cosmetic options?
Are cosmetic options available to hide my condition? Yes. Many people
choose to use a cosmetic cover-up to make their condition less obvious. This
can help increase your comfort level in some social situations and may require
less energy in terms of handling the curious glances from strangers. Nevertheless,
cosmetic cover-ups are not appropriate for everyone at every time. Never use
cosmetics on open psoriasis lesions or on irritated skin. As well, the use of
cosmetic cover-ups is not recommended for certain types of psoriasis (such as
those associated with widespread areas of redness) because the skin is already
inflamed and stinging or redness may result. If you have concerns about using
cosmetic cover-ups, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Before you apply cosmetics, try to gently remove as much scaling as
possible. Talk to your doctor about the best methods to do this. And remember
that you can use creative clothing options to cover your psoriasis too. In warm
weather, you may wish to wear a sunhat or lightweight cotton shirts with long
sleeves, or in the winter, experiment with turtlenecks or layering lightweight
long-sleeved clothing (to accommodate differing temperatures indoors and out).
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-FAQ
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