Skin problems are more common than people think, with conditions like psoriasis and eczema affecting around 1 in ten people worldwide. Psoriasis is one of the least well understood skin ailments, so much so that many people with the condition will not even realise what it is. However, a doctor can easily diagnose a case of psoriasis usually just by visually examining the skin alone.
Psoriasis is characterised by skin that is inflamed and reddened. Closer examination will reveal the presence of silvery scales, and these will easily flake off when brushed or scratched at. The skin is usually affected in patches, and although it is most common for them to appear around the joints, they can literally appear anywhere. These patches of affected skin can sometimes be itchy, but most often are not. This characteristic sets psoriasis aside from eczema, which although looks similar is nearly always accompanied by a strong itching sensation.
Like many skin conditions, psoriasis does not discriminate when it comes to age, race or gender. Someone who has not had the slightest problem with their skin can very easily suddenly break out in psoriasis patches, seemingly for no apparent reason. This randomness to how psoriasis behaves is as much of a mystery to modern science as the actual root cause of the condition in the first place. Whilst certain theories are regarded as the most probable reason psoriasis occurs, no solid evidence is available to confirm these.
Although there are many different forms of psoriasis, scalp psoriasis is perhaps one that is more wrongly diagnosed than others. This is largely because it is usually thought to be simply a case of dandruff, as both conditions cause the skin on the scalp to flake off. Scalp psoriasis is harder to treat than dandruff though, and if a case of dandruff does not respond to the use of dandruff shampoos, chances are that it is actually a case of scalp psoriasis. There are shampoos available specifically aimed at treating scalp psoriasis, many of which utilise coal tar as their active ingredient.
Coal tar treatment is often used to treat psoriasis that occurs on the body too, and is available in the form of creams, ointments and bath oils. The drawbacks of coal tar lie mainly in the fact that it has a strong and unpleasant smell, and that it can stain clothing, bedding etc. However, with careful use it can be an effective method of dealing with psoriasis, and has less dangerous side effects than the commonly prescribed steroid creams that are popular amongst the medical profession for treating psoriasis.
Although you should obtain a positive diagnosis from a doctor for a case of psoriasis, or any condition for that matter, it is one that is easily identifiable. Unfortunately, as no actual cure for the condition exists, confirmation of the disease is cold comfort to those who may be shackled with the problem indefinitely. That said, many people have managed to either eliminate completely, or at least minimise their psoriasis without letting it hinder them in their everyday lives.
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