Psoriasis – symptoms, types and treatment options

CBD cream for psoriasis

psoriasis is a skin condition that causes skin cells to multiply up to 10 times faster than normal. As a result, the skin builds up into bumpy red patches covered with white scales.

They can grow anywhere, but most appear on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back. Psoriasis cannot be passed from person to person.

Psoriasis usually appears in early adulthood. For most people, it affects only a few areas. In severe cases, psoriasis can cover large parts of the body.

The spots can heal and then be affected by psoriasis again throughout a person’s life. CBD cream without fragrances and dyes can be used, for example, to alleviate the symptoms.

Symptoms

The symptoms of psoriasis vary depending on the type. Some common symptoms for plaque psoriasis – the most common variant of the condition – are:

  • Plaques of red skin, often covered with silver scales. These plaques can be itchy and painful, and they sometimes break and bleed. In severe cases, the plaques grow and fuse over a large area.
  • Disorders of the fingernails and toenails, including discoloration and pitting of the nails. The nails may also crumble or separate from the nail bed.
  • Plaques of scales or crust on the scalp.

People with psoriasis can also get arthritis. This causes pain and swelling in the joints.

Doctors estimate that between 10% and 30% of people with psoriasis also suffer from arthritis.

Types

Other types of psoriasis include:

  • Pustular psoriasis, which causes red and scaly skin with tiny pustules on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
  • Guttenpsoriasis, which often begins in childhood or young adulthood, causes small, red patches, especially on the upper body and limbs. Triggers can include respiratory infections, strep throat, tonsillitis, stress, skin injuries, and use of antimalarial and beta-blocker medications.
  • Inverse psoriasis, which causes bright red, shiny lesions that appear in skin folds such as the armpits, groin, and under the breasts.
  • Erythrodermic psoriasis, Which leads to fiery redness of the skin and flaking of scales in leaves. It is triggered by severe sunburn, infections, certain medications and the discontinuation of some types of psoriasis treatment. It must be treated immediately, as it can lead to serious illness if left untreated.

What causes psoriasis?

Nobody knows the exact cause of psoriasis, but experts believe that it is a combination of different triggers.

If there is something wrong with the immune system, it leads to inflammation and too fast formation of new skin cells. Usually skin cells are replaced every 10 to 30 days.

In psoriasis, new cells grow every 3 to 4 days. The buildup of old cells being replaced by new ones creates these silver scales.

Things that can trigger an outbreak of psoriasis include:

  • Cuts, scratches or surgery,
  • Emotional stress,
  • Strep throat,
  • Medications, including blood pressure medications (such as beta-blockers) and hydroxychloroquine, antimalarials.

Diagnosis

Physical examination. It is usually easy for a doctor to diagnose psoriasis, especially if the plaques appear in the following places:

  • Scalp,
  • Ears,
  • Elbow,
  • Knee,
  • Belly button,
  • Nails.

The doctor will do a complete physical exam and ask the patient if people in the family have psoriasis.

Lab tests. The doctor might do a biopsy of the skin to make sure no skin infection is present. There is no other test that confirms or excludes psoriasis.

Treatment with CBD cream and other alternatives

Fortunately, there are many treatments. Some slow the growth of new skin cells, while others relieve itching and dry skin.

The doctor will choose a treatment plan that is best for the patient based on the size of the rash, where it is distributed on the body, age, overall health and other parameters. Common treatments include:

  • CBD cream,
  • Steroid creams,
  • Moisturizer for dry skin,
  • Coal tar (a common treatment for scalp psoriasis, available in lotions, creams, foams, shampoos and bath solutions),
  • Cream or ointment (a strong type prescribed by your doctor. Vitamin D in foods and pills has no effect.),
  • Retinoid creams.

Treatments for moderate to severe psoriasis include:

  • Light therapy: A doctor shines ultraviolet light on the skin to slow the growth of skin cells. PUVA is a treatment that combines a drug called psoralen with a special form of ultraviolet light.
  • Methotrexate: This drug can cause bone marrow and liver disease as well as lung problems, so it is only suitable for severe cases. Doctors observe patients closely. Patients need to have lab tests, perhaps a chest x-ray and possibly a liver biopsy.
  • Retinoids: These pills, creams, foams, lotions, and gels are a class of medicines related to vitamin A. Retinoids can cause serious side effects, including birth defects, so they are not recommended for women who are pregnant or planning to have children.
  • Biological treatments: These work by blocking the body’s immune system (which is overactive in psoriasis) to better control inflammation.
  • An enzyme inhibitor: The drug apremilast (Otezla) is a novel drug for long-lasting inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It is a pill that blocks a certain enzyme, which helps slow down other reactions that lead to inflammation.

Is there a cure for psoriasis disease?

There is no cure, but treatment with CBD cream greatly reduces symptoms, even in severe cases. Recent studies have suggested that when the inflammation of psoriasis is better controlled, the risk for heart disease, stroke, metabolic syndrome and other diseases associated with inflammation decreases.

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