Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common, chronic,
disfiguring, inflammatory and proliferative condition of the skin, in which
both genetic and environmental influences have a critical role.
The most characteristic lesions
consist of----
Red, scaly, sharply demarcated,
indurated plaques, present particularly over extensor surfaces and scalp.
The disease is enormously variable in duration, periodicity of flares and
extent.
Morphological variants are
common.
Sex: Male and female difference
Males and females are equally
affected by psoriasis vulgaris.
Many studies indicate that age of
onset is younger in females. Thus, one German study demonstrated a peak age of
onset of 22 years in males and 16 years in females in early-onset disease.
However, results of studies are
highly dependent on sampling techniques used and are variable in their results.
There is no evidence that the disease is phenotypically different between the
sexes.
Some Causes:---
Environmental risk factors
Present evidence indicates that
interactions between genes and the environment are important in disease
causation. Many environmental factors have been linked to psoriasis, and have
been implicated in, for example, initiation of the disease process and exacerbation
of pre-existing disease. However, conclusive evidence is so far lacking.
Trauma
Psoriasis at the site of an
injury is well known. A wide range of injurious local stimuli, including physical,
chemical, electrical, surgical, infective and inflammatory insults, has been
recognized to elicit psoriatic lesions.
Drugs
There are many drugs reported to be
responsible for the onset or exacerbation of psoriasis. Chief amongst these are
lithium salts, antimalarials, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitors and the withdrawal of corticosteroids. Their risk,however, has never
been formally assessed in controlled epidemiological
studies. The risk of withdrawal of
systemic or potent topical corticosteroids requires careful re-evaluation.
Sunlight
Although sunlight is generally
beneficial, in a small minority of patients, psoriasis may be provoked by
strong sunlight.
Psychogenic factors
Considerable clinical evidence exists for the role of stress in onset and
exacerbation of psoriasis.
In a UK study, over 60% of a sample of
psoriasis patients believed stress was a principal factor in the cause of their
psoriasis.
Also it is reported that several
psychocutaneous characteristics, including increased exacerbations and worse
disease, correlated with stress reactivity. It is without doubt, however, that
psoriasis has a detrimental effect on the psychosocial quality of life of
patients and that stress management programmes significantly shorten the time
to clearance with standard therapies.
Furthermore, psoriasis in patients
who are categorized as being high or pathological worriers
is less likely to clear with photochemotherapy
(PUVA) than in those patients with low worry.
Without doubt, the emotional and
physical disability that psoriasis may cause is underestimated. One study
showed the impact of psoriasis on physical and mental components of the health related
quality of life index is very similar to that of many other major diseases,
including heart disease and arthritis.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy takes into
consideration not only body but also mind; as human being is unity of both mind
and body. It also considers emotional, intellectual aspect of mind. Thus we can
many a times identify what specific ‘Stress’ factor may have triggered psoriasis.
Homeopathy has many medicines for
psoriasis which are selected after considering---
- Origin of lesion, its size, shape, character, location
- Aggravating and ameliorating factors
- Trying to identify trigger-- if present it will be most important point in selection of homeopathic medicine.
- Other associated illness/ complaints
- Reaction of patient to his suffering
