by Christa Joyce

Created on: January 28, 2007   Last Updated: April 20, 2011

Psoriasis is an auto immune disease for which there is currently no known cure.  It is not a disease that requires particular or exceptional cleansing of either the skin or the innards.  Urinating on lesions could lead to infection and would certainly be more likely to act as an irritant.  There is no evidence to suggest that diet plays any part in controlling psoriasis.  It is not contagious and you cannot catch psoriasis.

The basic mechanics of psoriasis mean that the auto immune system is over stimulated and skin cells are replaced more rapidly than usual resulting in raised lesions, often red with white scaly patches. Psoriasis is found more commonly on the knees, elbows and scalp but can and does affect all parts of the body, including the finger and toe nails.

There are several sub groups of psoriasis each with its own particular characteristics. There is also an inflammatory arthritis known as psoriatic arthritis which can affect people with psoriasis.

There are a wide range of topical treatments for psoriasis including tar based products, vitamin D derivatives, steroidal compounds and heavy moisturisers. They are often messy and unpleasant, have unwanted side effects and are not a long term solution. Usually used for short periods of time to treat flare ups of the condition.

Salt water and sunshine are said to help reduce the appearance of psoriatic lesions and many people find their skin improves when they are on holiday. Relaxation could also play a part in this as stress is a known trigger for outbreaks.

UV light is proven to help some patients with psoriasis and in more recent years PUVA therapy has become more common. This is where the patient is given a drug to increase photo-sensitivity and then subjected to intense burst of UVA light in controlled sessions at a clinic or hospital.

In severe cases of psoriasis and or psoriatic arthritis which do not respond to the basic treatments, patients may undergo systemic treatment with immuno-suppressants such as Methotrexate.

Avoiding stress where possible and taking an individual person-centred approach, is key to helping a patient live with the physical and emotional effects of living with psoriasis.

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