The National Psoriasis Foundation describes psoriasis as an autoimmune skin disease. In normal skin, every 23-30 days, our skin grows new cells, which start up in the deepest layers of the skin and gradually rise to the surface, which are then shed. With psoriasis, the whole skin cell process is accelerated and what normally occurs every 23 – 30 days, takes as little as 2 – 3 days to occur. This results in an overgrowth of skin cells that accumulate on the skin surface, resulting in itchy patches called plaque, with reddish, white or silvery scales. Needless to say that these patches are very painful and take their toll on the psoriasis sufferer, both physically and emotionally.
Unfortunately, psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious inflammatory skin condition with as yet, no known cure.
Like other chronic disease, psoriasis significantly impacts the quality of one’s life. In a clinical study conducted by Novartis, almost 80% of psoriasis sufferers admitted that they felt uncomfortable with their appearance, while 55 % of respondents said that psoriasis was the main cause of their depression. The Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases Journal published a survey, where over 60 % of people blame stress (both physical and emotional) to be the key trigger of psoriasis flare-ups. The results of another study conducted by The National Psoriasis Foundation showed that 73 % of people are constantly worrying about their psoriasis. 72 % of subjects reported to have severe itching, while 70 % experienced physical irritation and about 60 % of respondents were affected by the physical pain caused by psoriasis.
Psoriasis is not an age-related disease; it can affect both teens and adults in their forties and fifties. There are two common ages where the first onset of psoriasis occurs, either between 15 and 30 years of age, psoriasis can first occur and also another age group where psoriasis first appears is in the 50-60-year age group.