People say beauty is only skin deep, and that inner beauty is more important than what is seen outside. But we can't deny the fact that in the modern world we live in, the way we look pretty much has an impact on what people would think of us. It is because of this way of thinking that people with various skin diseases like psoriasis have problems blending in with society.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a disease that affects the skin. Its most common manifestation is red scaly patches that show on the skin. Psoriatic plaques, or the red scaly patches, are caused by a rapid increase in cell turnover. Psoriasis usually appears on the skin of the elbows and knees but can also grow anywhere in the body, even the scalp, fingernails and mouth.

Even though psoriasis is non-contagious, it is a chronic recurring condition that may be as minor as localized patches to complete body coverage. Psoriasis is a common skin disorder in the United States. In fact, over 5.5 million American adults have psoriasis.

Psoriasis is said to be an auto-immune disease. The body's T-cells that are responsible for attacking viruses and bacteria mistakenly turns on the skin cells. Because of the body's immune system response, the skin area that was attacked by the T-cells swell and there is rapid production of new skin cells.

What are the different risk factors for psoriasis?

There are a lot of different factors that increase a person's risk of developing psoriasis, these risk factors include:

Genetics. Psoriasis tends to run in families. In fact, most psoriasis patients have at least one other member in their family that have the same skin condition.

Infections. Any form of skin infection can aggravate psoriasis. Such conditions as thrush and boils have been associated to people developing psoriasis.

Stress. Emotional states can reflect as altered immune system responses.

Reaction to certain medications. Some people experience flare-ups after taking certain medications. Anti-malarial drugs, beta-blockers, and corticosteroids are only some of the medicines that can trigger psoriasis.

What treatments can be used for psoriasis?

On the first outbreak of psoriatic plaques, consult a dermatologist to find the best treatment for psoriasis. Here are three of the most commonly used psoriatic treatment:

Topical medications. These are gels, creams, or lotions that are applied to the affected area. Topical treatments are prescribed for mild to moderate psoriasis.

Phototherapy. This treatment uses light, usually ultraviolet, flashed onto the affected area of the body. This is commonly administered in moderate to severe cases of psoriasis.

Systemic treatment. These are medications that can be taken by injection or infusion to treat the immune system dysfunction that triggered the psoriasis. It is used for moderate to severe, or disabling cases of psoriasis.

If treatment is administered at the early onset of the skin disorder, you prevent the disease from spreading further into the body. Proper skin care is important as your skin serves as your first line of defense from different bacterias and viruses so do not neglect it. At the first sign of any unusual rash, consult your physician. Taking care of your skin is one way of protecting yourself from diseases.