Topical Corticosteroids

Topical corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs help slow cell turnover by suppressing the immune system. (Refer to the eariler post about T-Cells) Low-potency corticosteroid ointments are usually recommended for sensitive areas such as your face and for treating widespread patches of damaged skin like on your lower back or armpits. Your doctor may prescribe a high-potency corticosteroid ointment for small areas of your skin like your elbows, feet, or for recalcitrant plaques on your hands, or just when other treatments fail. Although topical corticosteroids can relieve signs and symptoms of psoriasis in the short run, resistance to treatment can develop fairly quickly and withdrawal of the medication can sometimes cause the disease to flare. Long-term or excessive use can lead to thinning skin and easy bruising as well as to more serious internal side effects. All of this in to consideration, be careful of what you are looking for and what you try to help contain your psoriasis.  Check for warning labels, side effects and always check with your doctor or dermatologist!  Of course there are some all natural psoriasis treatments to take into consideration too.

Phototherapy is Not Dead

When dealing with psoriasis, many people have heard the claims that phototherapy is dead. Actually phototherapy is growing stronger than ever because of the advances in technology. Many people respond very well to UVB rays which helps treat and diminish the appearance of psoriasis. The light from the phototherapy machine is almost 100% safe and after about 12 weeks of treatment, most psorasis patients had amazing results.

Phototherapy can be combined with different types of medication too to get the best results. Although the combination may be the best treatment option, you should consult your dermatologist before deciding on any advanced treatment. If your psoriasis is mild, you may just want to try an at home treatment. Skin Original is a great product for psoriasis and offers guaranteed results or your money back

Psoriasis Diagnosis

Most people that suffer from psoriasis, it is just a mild problem that is not truly affecting the way they live or do day to day activities. For others, psoriasis is almost disabling. This means that the skin itches or hurts to the point where they can no longer go on with normal routines without completely feeling like it was a constant battle. If you are one of these people or at least think that you could be suffering from the symtoms of psoriasis, you may want to see your doctor or dermatologist to be sure.

Most of the time a doctor or dermatologist can simply look at your skin condition and determine if it is psoriasis or something else. Of course this is the most painless diagnosis there is, but there is also a skin biopsy that is relatively painless. This is where your dermatologist would take a sample of your skin to view under a microscope. At this point he or she would be able to clearly determine your diagnosis and rule out all other possibilities.

Once you determine if your condition is psoriasis or some other condition, the obvious answer to seek out immediate help. Some of the best treatments on the market are not what you expect. There are plently of all natural psoriasis treatments available that work just as well as the prescribe ones. Take your time and shope around.

Why T Cells Misbehave

Researchers think that T cells misbehave because of genetics or environmental factors or even the combination of both. But truthfully, no one actually knows why T cells misfire in people with psoriasis. People with a hereditary predisposition have factors that either start the condition or further the already existing problem. Some of these factors are:

• Infections in your body like strep throat
• Injuries to your skin
• Medications like high blood pressure medications and lithium for bipolar disorder
• Poor nutrition from heavy alcohol consumption
• Excessive Sun Exposure
• Prolonged exposure to chemicals cleaners or paint thinners

Perhaps one of the most significant risk factors for psoriasis is actually having some one in your family suffering from psoriasis. Your chances of having psoriasis are 33% or one out of three if a close relative has shown signs of it. But also there is the same one-third chance of a person that will be carrying the genes but not ever show signs of the skin condition and just pass it along. All of this just goes to show how complex psoriasis can be and why we haven’t been able to cure it completely.

T Cells and Your Psoriasis

There are many theories to explain what causes psoriasis and the outbreaks.  Currently most doctors believe that there is an accelerated cell turnover rate.  This turnover causes the immune system to begin focusing on destroying healthy skin cells instead of the bad invading microorganisms.  Your white blood cells  (T cells) search for foreign substances called antigens while they circulate through your blood.  When they find these antigens and begin attack mode in order to protect you from these viruses and bacteria attempting to enter your skin.  But because of the turnover rate of skin cells, they begin attacking your own skin cells as if they were antigens and causing Psoriasis.

 At this point the immune system is responding by sending or releasing cytokines, which are proteins that tell skin cells to reproduce at a faster rate.  The release of cytokines also causes your body to release more T cells.  The T cells start their normal process of helping kill what they perceive to be harmful viruses or bacteria, but instead they are still killing some of your healthy cells which cause more cytokines.  The circle starts over and begins to be a never ending process.  What results is a constant case of Psoriasis.  Psoriasis is the build of the dead skin cells and your T cells (white blood cells) beginning to pile up on the surface of your skin.  At this point, most people’s immune system cannot stop the cycle without help of a psoriasis treatment.