Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects about 2 per cent of the world’s population.
Psoriasis occurs equally in men and women, may appear at any age and can sporadically come and go. The normal rate of turnover for the skin is three to four weeks.
In people with psoriasis this process happens in just three to four days, meaning skin is regenerating at a much quicker rate than normal. Skin affected by psoriasis is scaly, red and raised off the surface of normal skin. It is not contagious and it does not cause scarring of the skin.
The inflammatory nature of the condition means that psoriasis is also linked to an increased risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.
Research also shows that the disease is linked to an increased risk of depression and arthritis.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for psoriasis but there are effective medical interventions for the disease that can vary from mild to moderate or severe.
Mild psoriasis can be managed with topical treatments such as soap substitutes and moisturisers, these include products like Silcocks Base and Elave total emollient therapy.
Vitamin D analogues (calcipotriol) have a similar impact to moderate strength topical steroids, but without the side effects. Dovonex is a simple, once-a-day calcipotriol ointment that is now available direct from pharmacies. Other topical treatments frequently prescribed for mild psoriasis include tar and dithranol.
Moderate to severe psoriasis can be treated with phototherapy light in combination with topical treatments. More severe psoriasis often requires oral medications or injectable drugs known as biologics.
Read more about psoriasis at irishskinfoundation.ie and bad.org.uk and consult your doctor if you think you need treatment or advice.
Selene Daly is a dermatology nurse specialist at Sligo University Hospital and chairperson of the Irish Dermatology Nurses Association
