Well, from my experience, psoriasis can be really tricky to handle. For me, it all started during my late teens with some scaling on my elbows which quite frankly, I just thought was dry skin. But boy, it wasn’t! Turns out, the main culprit is your own immune system, which by some mix-up starts to attack your skin cells. Lotions and creams are my go-to for daily management. But seriously, it’s all about figuring out what doesn’t make your skin throw a fit. Stress and junk food are big no-nos for me!

Understanding Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by the rapid build-up of skin cells. This buildup leads to scaling on the skin’s surface. Inflammation and redness around the scales are fairly common. Typical psoriatic scales are whitish-silver and develop in thick, red patches. Sometimes, these patches will crack and bleed.

Causes of Psoriasis

Scientists are still studying what happens when psoriasis develops. Psoriasis begins in the immune system, mainly with a type of white blood cell called a T cell. Normally, T cells help protect the body against infection and disease. In the case of psoriasis, T cells are put into action by mistake and become so active that they trigger other immune responses, which lead to inflammation and to the rapid turnover of skin cells.

Managing Psoriasis

Although there is no cure for psoriasis, various medical treatments, like topical treatments, phototherapy, and systemic medications, are available to manage the symptoms. Besides medical treatment, lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and managing stress, can help to reduce the severity of the symptoms. A balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods may also benefit individuals with psoriasis.