20
Psoriasi�:
th� myth�, th� fact� Mor� tha� 100,000 peopl� i� Irelan� suffer fro� psoriasi�, � ski� conditio� whic� ca� devastat� people�’ live�, preventin� the� fro� �lfillin� their �l� potentia�.
Although, most skin conditions are exacerbated by poor personal hygiene, psoriasis is caused by the immune system. It is a disease of the immune system, and people with psoriasis have a genetic tendency to develop the condition, so it’s definitely not caused by poor hygiene.
WHAT TREATMENTS ARE THERE?
1. Moisturisers and emollients may be all that is needed for mild psoriasis. These reduce dryness, cracking and scaling of the skin.
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PSORIASIS IS CAUSED BY POOR HYGIENE
2.
A short course of corticosteroid-containing ointments often in combination with another topical treatment.
Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease that
Psoriasis comes and goes in episodes, but their frequency
appears on the skin. It occurs when the
and severity varies. Once you have the condition it is always
immune system sends out inaccurate signals
possible to have flare-ups. Worsening of the condition
For widespread psoriasis, specialist dermatology centres offer
that cause the growth cycle of skin cells to
can be caused by stress, injury to the skin, infections and
phototherapy (using ultraviolet). Natural sunlight can also help.
drastically speed up.
hormonal changes.
Red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with
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IT NEVER GOES AWAY
silvery scales can appear, which are extremely itchy, flaky and painful. Psoriasis is a condition which runs in families, but the exact way in which the disease moves from generation to generation has not yet been established. Although the tendency to contract psoriasis is stored in a person’s genes, it is by no means certain that it will ever develop.
Psoriasis plaques and lesions can crack and bleed. Because of this, many people assume that it’s something they can catch if they go near the person.
3. 4.
Oral treatment with immunosuppressants may be used for sufferers with severe, widespread or unresponsive psoriasis.
HELP AND INFORMATION Two information booklets are available aimed at younger people living with psoriasis and
However, psoriasis is not a skin infection and you
their parents. Supported by Pfizer Healthcare Ireland and the Psoriasis Association of
cannot catch it from another person.
Ireland,The main booklet “Aoife – living with psoriasis” is aimed at younger teenagers
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PSORIASIS IS CONTAGIOUS
and children. It deals with the experiences of Aoife, a young girl experiencing a hard time at school because of her condition. The second booklet “Let’s talk about psoriasis”, is aimed at the
It can begin at an early age, but mostly occurs
While there is no permanent cure for this condition yet, there
from your teenage years to your 40s. A trigger
are many ways to relieve its symptoms. However, there is no
is required for psoriasis to develop, which could
“one treatment fits all” approach to psoriasis. What works
be as simple as a throat infection, skin injury or
for one person may not work for another. Treatments include
stress. Certain drugs can also act as a trigger.
topical creams, oral prescriptions and UV or light therapy.
parents of young patients, teachers, sports coaches, and friends of those with psoriasis. Designed to dispel the myths around the condition, it’s full of advice about helping young patients deal with everyday situations.
There are a lot of misconceptions, though.
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PSORIASIS CAN’T BE TREATED
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.PSORIASISIRELAND.IE.