For Psoriasis Day, a French association is launching an information campaign to combat preconceived ideas and live better with the disease. 2.5 million French people are concerned.
To fight against prejudices about the disease, the association France Psoriasis launches an information and awareness campaign on the theme “Psoriasis, don’t let yourselves be contaminated by preconceived ideas” carried out at the national level by its twenty regional branches throughout the month of October.
With more than 125 million people with psoriasis worldwide and nearly 2.5 million people in France, the association wants to ensure that psoriasis brings to the general public the reality of the disease: an inflammatory pathology, not psychological and above all non-contagious.
On the occasion of the 11th World Psoriasis Day which takes place this Wednesday, why actor tells you more about this skin disease.
Proliferation of skin cells
Psoriasis is a disease where the skin renews itself at an unusually fast rate. This proliferation of skin cells causes thick red patches of varying extent, covered with white dead skin, the “scales”.
These lesions are most often found on the hands, elbows, knees, lower back, or on the face and scalp. These patches do not itch or only slightly. They are not contagious.
Psoriasis affects both men and women. However, it is more common in people with white skin. In France, there are around 60,000 new cases each year. Psoriasis most often starts in adolescence or young adults. But it can also start in the first months of life, says Dr Emmanuel Mahé, dermatologist at the Center Hospitalier Victor Dupouy (Argenteuil).
Listen to Dr Emmanuel Mahé, dermatologist at the Victor Dupouy Hospital Center (Argenteuil): “ It seems that there is a frequency of psoriasis that gradually increases with age. “
Causes of psoriasis
Psoriasis is a disease whose onset depends on several factors. In about a third of people with psoriasis, there is a familial predisposition. Several genes have been identified, their presence being associated with a higher risk of developing psoriasis. The presence of numerous white blood cells in the psoriasis plaques suggests an aggravating role of the immune system, the body’s defense system.
In addition, several environmental factors can trigger an outbreak of psoriasis: certain medications (against malaria, high blood pressure, bipolar disorders, etc.); skin irritations (wounds, scratching, repeated rubbing, burns, dry cold, infections, etc.); fatigue, stress and emotional shocks; excessive consumption of tobacco and alcoholic beverages.
The course of the disease
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that progresses in flare-ups. Their duration and frequency vary greatly from person to person and are difficult to predict. These outbreaks are interspersed with periods of calm, called “remission”, of varying lengths, during which the lesions partially or completely disappear.
Except for very specific and rare forms, psoriasis is not dangerous to health and does not endanger the patient’s life. However, its psychological and social consequences justify it being treated effectively.
Complications
Certain diseases are more commonly seen in patients with psoriasis. On the one hand, inflammatory rheumatism (rheumatoid arthritis and spondylitis, for example, as well as a particular form, psoriatic arthritis), and on the other hand, certain chronic inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, for example).
Finally, psoriasis can progress to vitiligo (a skin disease that results in depigmented spots), certain inflammations of the thyroid, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
The treatment
There is no treatment that can permanently cure psoriasis, but the lesions can be reduced by various types of drugs, either locally or systemically (oral or injections).
The severity of psoriasis is subjective (it depends a lot on the impact of the disease on the patient’s quality of life). Consequently, the implementation and the nature of the treatment vary greatly according to the patient’s experience and his motivation to treat himself.
To be fully effective, treatment for psoriasis should always be continued for several weeks after the plaques have disappeared.
Listen to Dr Emmanuel Mahé : ” There is almost no more psoriasis that cannot be treated “
Source : With EurekaSanté
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