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Breaking Down the Most Common Myths Around Psoriasis
The immune system forms a line of defense against foreign particles, viruses, bacteria, and other harmful substances. However, many people struggle with autoimmune disease, where this system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. With over 80 different types of these diseases, it’s no wonder millions of people deal with some kind of it.
Allergies are a typical example of an autoimmune response, but when it happens in the skin, it’s due to a condition known as psoriasis. This chronic skin condition causes numerous unpleasant symptoms that can affect anyone. Still, many people don’t understand how it works or hold several misconceptions about it. Let’s get to the facts about psoriasis.
Clarkston and Pullman, Washington, residents seeking ways to deal with psoriasis or other skin conditions can find help with Drs. Walter Williams, Lindsey Goddard, and the experienced medical staff at the Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center.
Understanding psoriasis
Like other autoimmune diseases, this condition stems from an overreaction of your immune system, which attacks healthy cells and causes inflammation that interrupts the cycle of skin growth. Instead of a gradual development of 30 days, psoriasis causes it to happen in a few days, resulting in the symptoms you experience.
Signs can vary, but during an outbreak, common symptoms include dry, cracked, or scaly skin; skin pain; joint pain; and pitted, cracked, or crumbly nails. You are also at greater risk of skin infections, so if you experience severe pain, fever, swelling, or other signs, see us as soon as possible.
Roughly 3% of the American population deals with psoriasis, including people from all walks of life.
Types of psoriasis
You can be affected by one of five different types of psoriasis, such as:
- Plaque: the kind most people deal with, causing the symptoms mentioned above
- Guttate: creates pink or violet spots, often occurring in childhood on the torso, arms, and legs
- Pustular: an adult illness in which pink or violet blisters form during outbreaks
- Inverse: inflamed, red, shiny patches forming in the armpits, your groin, and under your breasts
- Erythrodermic: a severe and rare illness that causes a sunburned appearance on your skin.
Common myths about it
Let’s look at what people get wrong about psoriasis:
Myth: It’s contagious
Though many illnesses are transmissible from person to person, you don’t catch autoimmune conditions from others. If someone has it, you can’t catch it from them.
Myth: It just affects the skin
As mentioned, this is an autoimmune condition, which means your immune system is involved. The signs directly affect the skin, but your joints are also at risk. There’s also the possibility that you could develop a form of arthritis from it.
Myth: It can be cured
Unfortunately, there isn’t a treatment that eradicates it. It’s a lifelong issue to find ways to manage outbreaks or prevent them from happening.
Myth: You can see how severe it is
Yes, many psoriatic plaques look serious and can be unpleasant, but the problems can extend beyond surface issues, as we mentioned. The severity of outbreaks depends on several factors, including location and how bad the symptoms are.
Psoriasis can make you feel miserable, but you can get relief from it. Make an appointment with Drs. Williams, Goddard, and the Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center today to address any issues with it and other skin problems.