Psoriasis
Psoriasis leads to the appearance of red, scaly patches on the skin. These patches may appear as a rash, so a person may worry that they could get it from someone else or pass it onto other people.
However, this condition is not contagious, and a person cannot catch the disease by touching someone who has it.
Reger Vein and Skin Specialists, led by Dr. Gregg Reger, provides psoriasis treatment and other medical spa procedures to patients in Spring, TX, The Woodlands, and surrounding locations.
What Causes Psoriasis?
Psoriasis symptoms appear on the skin, but the condition is actually a problem with the immune system, known as an autoimmune disease. It means that the defenses of the body overreact or react at the wrong time, which impacts the body from within and externally.
In people with psoriasis, the immune systems cause skin cells to grow much more rapidly than normal. They accumulate too fast and form thick, scaly lesions.
There are various types of the condition, but the most commonly occurring form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis. Lesions usually develop on the elbows, knees, or scalp. However, they can appear anywhere on the body.
These patches can feel itchy, inflamed, and sore and may crack and bleed. Other forms of the condition may cause tiny red-spots, red scaling patches, or pus-filled bumps.
How Do People Get Psoriasis?
Scientists are aware that specific genes are linked to psoriasis. Therefore, a person is more likely to develop this condition if someone in their family has psoriasis.
Even if a person has genes that predispose them to psoriasis development, they will need something that wakes up, or triggers, their condition. It may be something physical, like a scratch, cut, infection, or a bad sunburn.
Other common triggers are certain drugs, stress, and cold weather (which can lead to dry, cracked skin). However, being around a person with psoriasis will not trigger this condition.
Upon being triggered, psoriasis becomes a chronic or long-lasting condition. This implies that most individuals will have it for the remainder of their lives, but they may be able to manage it with medicines and other treatment.
What about Physical Contact?
Doctors often confused psoriasis with leprosy before they knew the reasons for its development. People with this condition were thought to be contagious.
However, now we know that psoriasis cannot develop by brushing up against someone who has the condition. A person can also not develop this condition from sexual activity, kissing, or swimming in the same water.
Individuals develop psoriasis due to their genes, not because of poor hygiene, diet, and lifestyle, or any other behaviors. They did not acquire it from another person, and cannot pass it onto others.
Despite this, a lot of stigma surrounds the condition. This can be hard for individuals who have psoriasis. They may feel ill at ease when people stare at their lesions or avoid touching them, and may try to conceal their outbreaks under loose, long clothing.
People with psoriasis can end the confusion and misunderstandings about the condition by talking freely with family, friends, and colleagues. If you know someone who has it, ensure that they know that their condition does not impact your opinion of them or make you not want to be around them.
Dr. Gregg Reger receives patients from Spring, TX, The Woodlands, and nearby areas for psoriasis and other medical spa treatments.
For More Information contact Reger Vein and Skin Specialists in The Woodlands, TX
For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Board Certified Phlebologist Dr. Gregg Reger at Reger Vein and Skin Specialists please call 832-585-0090 or click here to contact our team. Helping patients in Houston, The Woodlands, Springs, Katy and other surrounding areas of Texas.
