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Pustular Psoriasis Treatment Tips
Pustular psoriasis is an uncommon form of psoriasis. Psoriasis is a common skin disease that affects the life cycle of skin cells. Generalised pustular psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis, which presents as widespread pustules on a background of red and tender skin. Pustular psoriasis is uncommon in the United States. Pustular psoriasis affects all races. The average age of those affected is 50 but the range is wide and rarely it can affect children. Pustular psoriasis of the palms and soles is usually chronic and may be associated with bone or joint inflammation. The palms or soles are red with white or yellow pustules. Pustular psoriasis also can be generalized, covering most of the body. It tends to go in a cycle–reddening of the skin followed by formation of pustules and scaling.
It is also known as sharp generalised pustular psoriasis of von Zumbusch. Von Zumbusch pustular psoriasis can be triggered by an infection. Initially the skin becomes dry, fiery red and tender. The patient may also have a fever, chills, headache, rapid pulse rate, and loss of appetite, nausea and muscle weakness. Psoriasis treatments aim to interrupt the cycle that causes an increased production of skin cells, thereby reducing inflammation and plaque formation. The ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun slows the production of skin cells and reduces inflammation. Sunlight helps reduce psoriasis symptoms in some people. Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) and narrow-band UV-B light: UV-B light is also used to treat psoriasis. UV-B is light with wavelengths of 290-320 nanometers (nm).
Topical treatments are corticosteroids, vitamin D-3 derivatives, coal tar, anthralin, or retinoids. Topical calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus have been effective in some cases of pustular psoriasis limited to the palms and soles. Anthralin (Dritho-Scalp or Psoriatec) can remove scale and smooth skin, but it stains virtually anything it touches, including skin, clothing, countertops and bedding. Oral retinoid such as acitretin, derived from vitamin A. Other medications such as methotrexate, colchicine, ciclosporin, tioguanine and hydroxyurea have been used with some success. Biological therapies such as alefacept, etanercept and infliximab have been used with success at times. Oral retinoids, methotrexate, cyclosporine, 6-thioguanine, and hydroxyurea have been used with success.
Pustular Psoriasis Treatment and Prevention Tips
1. Sunlight helps reduce psoriasis symptoms in some people.
2. Soriatane, cyclosporine or methotrexate are often prescribed.
3. Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) and narrow-band UV-B light: UV-B light is also used to treat psoriasis.
4. Oral retinoid such as acitretin, derived from vitamin A.
5. Topical treatments are corticosteroids, vitamin D-3 derivatives, coal tar, anthralin, or retinoids.
6. Calcipotriene (Dovonex) is a prescription cream, ointment or solution containing a vitamin D analogue.
About the Author
Juliet Cohen writes articles for women health blog and skin treatment. She also writes articles for hair styles.
The Causes of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a condition of the skin that is little understood. The underlying cause appears to be an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to produce new skin cells at an accelerated rate that leads to the inflammation and itching that is characteristic with psoriasis. Normally skin cells take 28 to 30 days to grow to maturity, but in people who have an outbreak of psoriasis this process is shortened to 3 to 6 days. The scaling, itching and inflammation of the skin is caused by the over build-up of skin cells. It is believed that the main cause of psoriasis is driven by a certain type of white blood cell known as a T-cell. T-cells are one of the body’s defenses against disease and infection, but in the case of psoriasis they leap into action unintentionally and begin to trigger other immune systems which accelerate the creation of new skin cells. Because the skin cells grow and mature quicker then normal they also die off much faster, creating a build up of dead skin cells on the surface. This build up of dead skin cells forms the characteristic plaques, or flaky patches, that sufferers of psoriasis are familiar with. The redness and inflammation of the underlying skin is a product of the increased blood supply needed to feed the new skin cells that are growing at an accelerated rate below the plaques. While anyone at any age can suffer from psoriasis researchers have found that people in their thirties and sixties are more likely to develop this skin condition than people in other age groups. Why this is the case no one knows. It is also apparent that heredity can be a marker for an increased chance of contracting psoriasis. Children who have one parent who suffers from psoriasis have a ten percent chance of contracting the disease. That percentage goes up dramatically to fifty percent if both parents have this condition. Scientists, who have done studies on families afflicted with psoriasis, have been able to identify genes that are known links to the condition. The exact causes of psoriasis remains something of a mystery but there are known triggers that are linked to outbreaks. Many people who suffer from this disease notice that there are times the condition is worse and times it seems to get better. Reactions to certain drugs, such as lithium and beta blockers, have been shown to trigger a psoriasis outbreak and in extreme instances make the condition worse. Because psoriasis is caused by a faulty immune system anything that stimulates the body’s defenses can bring about an outbreak. An injury such as a cut or bruise or an infection, particularly strep, can all cause an outbreak. Another factor that can cause an outbreak of psoriasis is stress. People who suffer from psoriasis have noticed that as their stress levels go up so does the potential for a severe outbreak of their skin inflammation. Psoriasis in and of itself also causes stress leading to a self perpetuating problem of continual outbreaks that increase in severity as a person’s stress level increases. One way that psoriasis cannot be caught is through contact with someone who suffers from the disease. It is not a contagious skin condition, and although it is unsightly and can cause repulsive reactions from those who do not suffer its affects it is important to remember that those who suffer from it need the reassurance and support of friends and family along with proper treatment to help them live a normal life.
About the Author
Do you or someone you know suffer from psoriasis? If you want to learn more about the causes of psoriasis, symptoms, and treatments then visit http://psoriasis.health-choices-net.com.
