Psoriasis
affects 2% of the U.S. population. This translates to about 7.5 million
Americans, the most common chronic inflammatory disease.
Psoriasis
seems to be in some way related to a hyper activity in the immune system. In
particular in the dermis there is an increase in T cells which produce
excessive proteins that induce the epidermis to grow to rapidly and hence into
the red, scaly,thickened
plaques that are hallmarks of psoriasis.
About two
thirds of people affected with psoriasis have it localized such as elbows, knees,
and scalp. However, the remaining third plaques can be quite excessive
involving over 10% of the body and may or may not include the palms, soles,
axillary, and genital areas.
Common
treatments for localized psoriasis include topical steroids.Topical
steroids however require caution because prolonged use especially in sensitive
areas is face, neck, axillae, infra-mammary, groin can result in skin thinning,
in some cases causing irreversible stretch marks.
Localized
phototherapy has also been utilized effectively in the treatment of localized
psoriasis.
By: Dr. Jerry Bagel
