Psoriasis is most common autoimmune disease in U.S.

“I have psoriasis,” wrote a blogger known as Sciencegeek on MetaFilter’s website. “I am among the two to three percent of the world population that has it. It is a skin condition with a genetic component (thanks mom and dad). It means that I have white plaques on my skin that itch and shed flakes. I shed so much that I have to sweep my floors daily.

“I have plaques mainly on my arms and legs, but they can appear anywhere. I’m lucky. I don’t have psoriatic arthritis which affects about a third of all people with psoriasis. People stare at me or pretend not to stare at me in public. I wish they would just ask me what it is. It isn’t contagious.

“Sometimes people ask if I have a bad sunburn or a regular burn. Little kids ask about my boo boos. Dogs lick my legs. There are several different ways to treat psoriasis including steroids, light treatment, injectable antibodies, and shampoos but it is a chronic condition.”

Each August, the National Psoriasis Foundation sponsors Psoriasis Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about psoriasis, educating the public, and dispelling myths about the diseases. Psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease in the country, affecting 7.5 million Americans.

There are five different types of psoriasis defined on NPF’s website. From the most common, plaque psoriasis, which appears as raised red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells and mostly affects the scalp, knees, elbows and lower back, to the rarest erythrodermic psoriasis that affects the entire body, each comes with its own set of discomfort both physical and mental.

Signs and symptoms will vary between patients. The Mayo Clinic’s website states that the rash described above including dry, cracked skin that’s apt to bleed; itching, burning or soreness accompanied by thickened, pitted or ridged nails and swollen and stiff joints are reasons to see your medical provider for evaluation.

As Sciencegeek said, a family history can be a factor.

“About 40 percent of people with psoriasis have a family history of the disease,” Mayo

Clinic’s site says, “although this may be an underestimate.”

However, they say that anyone can develop psoriasis noting that viral and bacterial infections pose risk factors. Children and young adults with recurring infections, particularly strep throat may be at risk as well as people with HIV.

Stress can be a cause as it impacts your immune system as does obesity as often the plaques associated with all types of psoriasis often develop in skin creases and folds.

And, just to add another reason to stop smoking, tobacco use not only increases your risk of psoriasis, it may also increase the severity of the disease.

Your medico will determine the proper course of action that will include interrupting the cycle that causes an increased production of skin cells, thereby reducing inflammation and plaque formation and a method for removing scales and smoothing the skin. Those treatments are divided into three main types: topical treatments, light therapy and systemic medications, depending on the severity of the disease.

Sciencegeek concluded, “I’m posting this because I’m reaching the point of making a t-shirt that says, ‘It is psoriasis. It isn’t contagious’ so the people giving me dirty looks on the subway will stop. It is either that or the T-shirt that says, ‘Yep, definitely leprosy.’”

At least he hasn’t lost his sense of humor!

Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board. She can be reached at 264-4029 or kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.