Psoriasis The 11 Most Popular Myths and Facts

Psoriasis

The 11 Most Popular Myths and Facts

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes damage to the skin, nails and joints by altering the life cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis affects about 2-3% of the world's population or about 120 million people, in Latvia about 38 thousand people suffer from psoriasis. Unfortunately, anyone can get it, psoriasis can occur equally often in men and women of all ages. Dermatologist Raimonds Karl explains what this disease is, how it manifests itself, and why it is associated with so many stereotypes and prejudices.

Myth # 1: Psoriasis is a skin disease

This is the most popular myth. Psoriasis is an autoimmune systemic disease or disease of the whole organism, where the skin is only a visible manifestation of the disease, because its symptoms are most visible directly on the skin: red, itchy spots with silvery flakes, dry, cracked skin that may bleed, itching, burning, or grooved nails. However, more than a third of people suffering from skin psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, where the disease also affects the joints, which appear to be swollen, painful and stiff joints. Often, joint pain appears as the first symptoms, even before skin damage.

Myth # 2: Psoriasis is inherited

The pathogens can be different - genetic, immunological, environmental or psychological. Although genetics has a role to play and is considered a risk factor, the disease does not manifest itself in every generation. The provoking moments of psoriasis vary, but the exact cause of the disease is still unknown. Factors include stress, various infections, metabolic disorders, high cholesterol and others.

Myth # 3: Psoriasis is contagious

Psoriasis is not an infectious disease. Although damaged skin areas look visually frightening, psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be contracted. Therefore, there is no reason to be afraid of contact with those who suffer from this ailment - psoriasis cannot be passed on either by shaking hands, using common household items or otherwise.

Myth # 4: Psoriasis has no side effects

Psoriasis is a serious disease that affects the whole body, so psoriasis patients are much more likely to develop other serious conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, various eye diseases, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and various other autoimmune diseases. Psoriasis can also have a significant effect on a patient's psychological condition, contributing to low self-esteem, depression and social isolation.

Myth # 5: Psoriasis is a disease of the elderly

Today, the autoimmune system is being damaged by more and more young people, which means that psoriasis can also affect people of any age, including children. Although it is thought that psoriasis is more common in men, a study by the World Health Organization confirms that psoriasis does not discriminate between people by age or gender. Psoriasis has a significant impact on people's quality of life and can lead to disability in people of working age.

Myth # 6: Psoriasis patients are depressed

This myth is close to reality. Although the disease is physically unpleasant, one of the biggest dysfunctions in psoriasis patients is the psycho-emotional factor, as they suffer not only physical but also psychological suffering, so psoriasis patients are often depressed. Due to the external manifestations of the disease, psoriasis patients suffer emotionally, because they feel socially excluded, are ashamed to go out in society - do not attend sports, swimming pools and the like, they also find it difficult to form close and intimate relationships.

Myth # 7: Psoriasis restricts sex life

Psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be passed on through sexual intercourse. If the skin lesions have affected the genital area, then sex life is disrupted for purely psychological reasons. Psoriasis is often confused with a genital disease when the ban on sexual intercourse is mistaken.

Myth # 8: Psoriasis is incurable

Although no cure for a complete cure for psoriasis has yet been found, psoriasis is treatable, and modern medicine offers a variety of treatment options that reduce symptoms and significantly improve quality of life. The disease is treated throughout life, taking into account diet, lifestyle changes, as well as the use of appropriate medications. The most important goal in the treatment of psoriasis is to stop the skin cells from changing rapidly. As the disease is not completely curable and can only be controlled, one of the most important preconditions is timely contact with a specialist.

Myth # 9: There are places in the world where people do not have psoriasis

This is not a myth, it is true. Indeed, there are nations in the world that are not characterized by psoriasis, they are the privilege of separate Indians, East Asians, and blacks. Unfortunately, Baltic, Scandinavian, Slavic and Europeans do not belong to this group. On the contrary, these nationalities have one of the highest morbidity rates.

Myth # 10: Sunbathing is good for treating psoriasis

This statement is both true and false. The course of psoriasis is indeed determined by various factors and UV, including sunlight, can improve the condition of the skin in people with psoriasis, and then it is a winter form of psoriasis, but there is a group of patients whose condition worsens directly, in which case the patient has a summer form. . In general, the winter form prevails among psoriasis patients in Latvia, and the summer sun relieves the skin condition.

Myth # 11: Psoriasis can be skinless

This statement is not a myth, but it is true. Indeed, there are forms of psoriasis where there are changes only in the nails, joints. In such cases, the main role in the treatment of the disease is often played not by the dermatologist, but by the rheumatologist, because in the foreground these patients have joint problems - pain, deformity, stiffness.