Psoriasis is a skin disorder that causes skin cells to reproduce several times faster than normal. During psoriasis, also known as psoriasis, bumpy red spots covered with white scales begin to appear on the skin.
These scaly patches can grow anywhere on the skin, but they mostly appear on the scalp, elbows, knees, and back. Psoriasis is not contagious, meaning it cannot be passed from person to person. However, in some cases it is seen in members of the same family.
Psoriasis usually occurs in early adulthood. In most cases, only a few areas of the skin are affected. But in more severe cases, psoriasis can occupy a large part of the body. Red spots can heal over time and come back throughout the individual's life.
Psoriasis is chronic but not contagious
Psoriasis, known as a skin disease, may be accompanied by inflammatory bowel diseases such as joint involvement, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, heart attack, Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis. On the occasion of October 29, World Psoriasis Day, İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital Dermatology and Venereal Diseases Department Specialist, Turkish Dermatology Association Psoriasis Working Group Executive Board Member-Secretary Assoc. Dr. Didem Didar Balcı shared important information.
Psoriasis (psoriasis) is a (chronic) skin disease that can last for a long time, and is characterized by the most common type of plaque (psoriasis vulgaris), which can be separated from the intact skin with a sharp margin, swollen rashes from the skin and psoriasis colored scales covering them. The immune system, genetic and environmental factors are factors that play a role in the formation of the disease. Traumatic situations such as scratching, scratching, alcohol, stress, smoking, some medications, excessive sunbathing and sunburn can trigger the disease and cause attacks.
Psoriasis can occur anytime between infancy and old age.
İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital Dermatology and Venereal Diseases Department Specialist, Turkish Dermatology Association Psoriasis Working Group Executive Board Member-Secretary Assoc. Dr. Didem Didar Balcı: “Psoriasis can occur at any time between infancy and old age. 20-30 and 50-60 years are the most common age of onset. Traumatic situations such as scratching and picking; Alcohol, stress, smoking, some medications, excessive sun exposure and sunburn can trigger the disease and cause attacks.
The disease can be in mild, moderate or severe stages. Early diagnosis prevents the risk of heart attack, the risk of arteriosclerosis, obesity and joint involvement that may accompany the disease, to be reduced with treatment and follow-up, and the deterioration of the quality of life of the patient by reaching the correct treatment in a short time.
30-40% of psoriasis patients also have first-degree relatives
Assoc. Dr. Didem Didar Balcı: "It has been found that the risk of psoriasis is 30-40% in both fraternal twins and 15-30% in identical twins." While the rate of psoriasis was reported to be 65% in the USA, 72% in Norway and 3.2-11,4% in western countries, there are three studies from our country; The incidence of psoriasis in Trabzon province was found to be 2% in the adult population and 4% in Bolu's Mudurnu district. Among the patients who applied to a university dermatology outpatient clinic in Ankara, the incidence of psoriasis patients was reported as 1,1%.
Education should be given to the family and the child that psoriasis is a chronic disease.
Stating that the incidence of psoriasis in childhood (<18 years) is between 0-1,37%, Assoc. Dr. Didem Didar Balcı: “The age and gender of the patient, the location and severity of the disease, other accompanying diseases, the patient's quality of life, socioeconomic level should be evaluated in the choice of treatment. In addition, the family and the child should be educated about the chronic disease, and the importance of avoiding triggering factors should be emphasized. Patients and their parents should be told that recovery can be achieved by controlling the disease, and it should be emphasized that the disease is repetitive and will last for a lifetime as well as spontaneous recovery. It is important to treat some upper respiratory tract infections or other foci of infection. Depending on the severity of the disease, we can use traditional systemic treatments such as topical therapy, phototherapy, or targeted advanced treatments. "
Psoriasis can be controlled with appropriate treatment
Emphasizing that the age, gender of the patient, the involvement locations and severity of the disease, accompanying diseases, the patient's quality of life, and socioeconomic level are important in the choice of treatment, Assoc. Dr. Didem Didar Balcı: “The patient should be informed that the disease is chronic, smoking, alcohol, trauma, etc. The importance of avoiding triggering factors should be emphasized. Pay attention to obesity, low-carbohydrate diet and exercise should be recommended. Psoriasis patients should be told that treatment with their dermatologist and regular follow-up can be achieved. The disease can be recurrent from time to time and can last a lifetime, but it will be possible to control with dermatology physicians and appropriate treatment. "
Psoriasis is not a contagious disease
Saying that psoriasis is a disease that negatively affects the quality of life of patients, causing a feeling of stigma, anxiety and depression. Dr. Didem Didar Balcı: “This disease causes difficulties in sexual life, spending leisure activities, sports activities, choosing clothes, and friendships. Children do not want to go to school. It is not a contagious disease. However, due to this misconception, they are isolated from the society. "
Psoriasis alone does not pose a risk to Covid-19
Assoc. Dr. Didem Didar Balcı: “Psoriasis patients should also follow the general isolation measures that society obeys. The frequency and severity of Covid-19 in patients using advanced treatment during the pandemic period with people in the normal community have been reported at the same level. During this period, those with corona infection should be in contact with their physicians for their treatment. "
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