How Stress and Psoriasis are Linked

August 9, 2011 by STRESS RELIEF TUTOR
Filed under Stress Information

Stress and Psoriasis

Sometimes the body can react to stress in a variety of ways. One such reaction some people never expect is problems with their skin. After all, why would stress cause patches of the skin to become dry, flaky and itchy? In some cases such patches would crack and bleed. Furthermore, why would fingernails and toenails become discolored and even detach from the nail beds? The answer is a condition called psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a condition that takes over a persons life. Those individuals diagnosed with this ailment have to monitor the things they eat, wear and put onto their skin.

What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a condition of the skin in which skin cells multiply at a rate faster than they should, at times ten times faster than normal. Thus, as the cells in the top layer of the skin dies and are renewed with new ones from layers below, these new cells that have been growing at a faster rate result in raised spots and patches covered with white scales being observed on the surface of the skin.

Where is Psoriasis commonly seen?
Psoriasis is typically seen on the knees, scalp and elbows. However, it is known to also affect the soles of the feet and the palms.

Types of Psoriasis
There are many types of psoriasis and each has different symptoms, locations, severity and duration. The most common form of psoriasis is called plaque psoriasis with another common form, pustular psoriasis, being characterized by scaly, red, cracked skin on the feet or palms of the hands with tiny pustules.

Causes of Psoriasis
Psoriasis can come one quite suddenly and is caused by a variety of factors. Such factors include emotional stress, adnormality in the immune system and infection. This condition also tends to be hereditary but doctors believe it is the external stressors that serve as triggers for this condition when it presents itself in people who may have inherited defects in the function of their immune system.

Treatment for Psoriasis
Outbreaks associated with psoriasis are mostly harmless and once appropriate treatment given the symptoms subside within a few months. At present some argue there is no cure for psoriasis and that this ailment comes comes and goes in cycles of remissions and flare ups over the lifetime of the individual and has to be controlled.

So, check out psoriasis free for life for an alternative way to treat psoriasis.

Managing psoriasis can be as simple as moisturizing the skin, as keeping the skin moist helps to reduce the symptoms of dryness, redness, scaling and soreness The use of ointments is of great help when it comes to treating psoriasis as they help to lock moisture in. The effectiveness of moisturizers can be increased by patting them on gently after bathing and reapplying them during the day as needed.

The use of warm water and a mild soap followed by gently patting dry is also a great remedy for treating psoriasis.

4 Precautions for Reducing the Symptoms of Psoriasis

1. Avoid bathing in hot water or harsh soaps as these tend to irritate already dry and stressed skin.

2. Avoid rubbing the skin dry after a bath as rubbing irritates any existing lesions and can result in new ones. This is also linked to having rough clothes

3. Keep stress levels down as stress can result in inflamed psoriasis and increased itching. Having a well balanced diet, keeping the body hydrated and getting plenty of exercise are great at helping to keep the body stress-free as well as making it better able to contour infections that may cause psoriasis flare-ups.

4. Avoid the use of harsh products such as deodorant soaps when caring for your clothes as the skin becomes extremely sensitive when inflicted with psoriasis.

Conclusion
Psoriasis is a condition that has a massive impact of the lives of those diagnosed with it. Although, they are many treatments available and precautions that individuals can take, this condition remains one that is influenced by the level of stress in the persons life.