Generally,
a person with psoriatic arthritis has
1. more
neck arthritis,
2. the
inflammation may be more on one side of the body than the other.
3. the
bony growths coming from the vertebrae in the spine may be more large
and course.
A person
with AS and psoriasis has :
1. more
spinal arthritis
2. inflammation
symmetrically (ie on both sides of the pelvis and on both sides of the
body)
3. finer
bony growths on the vertebrae..
Psoriasis
does NOT scar the skin and is characterized by clearing up with treatment
and then re-appearing again.
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What
causes psoriasis ?:
The development
of psoriasis depends on very complex genetic and environmental interactions
ie this disorder runs in families and has been linked to triggering
infections (ie throat infection) as well as trauma to the skin and reactions
to some drugs. Some of the genes involved in causing psoriasis may be
the same genes, or very close to the genes that cause AS.
The severity
of the psoriasis is also dependent on genetic and environmental (ie
stress, smoking, alcohol) factors. Fluctuations in the immune system
(ie the chemicals used to defend the body) are strongly linked to the
severity of psoriasis. This is why behavioral therapy to deal with
stress and trauma can be a great help in treating psoriasis.
In psoriasis
the immune system is triggered which speeds up the growth of skin cells. A
normal skin cell is shed every 28-30 days (monthly) but a psoriatic
skin cell matures and moves to the skin surface to be shed every 3-4
days. So, skin piles up and can not be shed fast enough and forms red
lesions.
Psoriasis
can occur at any age and can occur before or after the onset of arthritis
symptoms.
Certain
genes such as B27 and others are associated with more progression. A
high level of inflammation early on (ie very bad psoriasis early on)
is a predictor of progression in the future. High levels of some
immune chemicals (ie IgA) predict a more severe outcome.
What
can I do about psoriasis ?
For severe
psoriasis, there are many drugs that your doctor may prescribe that
are very good at controlling this condition such as methotrexate, sulphasalazine
or CyclosporinA and the new drug anti-TNF has been shown to be very
effective in trials at treating psoriasis.
Stress
reduction, not smoking or drinking heavy can help in not aggravating
this condition.
Alcohol
can make psoriasis worse and reduce the effects of treatment. Natural
sunshine can be beneficial but some people report that it can make their
psoriasis worse.
Sites
that may help :
Books - Psoriasis
at your Fingertips Dr Tim Mitchell & Rebecca Penzer.
Skin care
for psoriasis. Dr V K Dave
Organizations
-
The
Psoriasis Association,
7 Milton Street,
Northampton.
NN2 7JG.
Telephone : 01604 711129
Psoriatic
Anthropathy Alliance,
136 High Street,
Bushey ,
Herts
WD2 3DJ
Telephone
: 01923 67837
Web
sites
www.paaliance.org
www.dermatology.co.uk
www.psoriasis.org
www.psoriasissupport.com
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