Psoriasis is a condition of the skin which usually is an eruption in a patch of red bumps and silver patches. The plaques of Psoriasis are usually not hard to diagnose, and about 2% of Caucasians and 1% of blacks will have the condition in the USA. The plaques of Psoriasis erupt for a variety of reasons, so patients who have this condition will experience times when the condition is much worse and times when it is quite a bit better. In fact the condition seems to have a cyclic component triggered by a variety of stress factors including climate changes, changes in medications or infections. Smoking has been noted as a cause, and smoking definitely has been associated with more severe cases of the condition. It is not as clear if diet, vaccinations, alcohol consumption, obesity, or massages will change outbreaks. In fact various diets are thought to reduce Psoriasis have been proposed, and as we review these diets eating healthier, and including vitamins and anti-oxidant foods are always good for your skin, so I do 'endorse' them for that reason. Massage reduces stress, so it should prove helpful as long as specific oils do not aggravate the areas, and you be sure the therapist actually doesn't massage an infected area. A gynecologist may be an important part of controlling psoriasis. There are forms of the condition that occur in the genital areas. Irregular menstrual periods are both a stress on one's body, which may be the way they can affect Psoriasis, and a factor that's more easily controlled than some of the other triggers of the condition.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease is actually an infection from a type of mycobacterium, making it more closely related to the disease tuburculosis than to other skin conditions that it might be confused with. As you pointed out that it was known in ancient times, and at that time sometimes psoriasis was confused with leprosy, and actually so was syphillis. Psoriasis nature as an immune disease was only recognized relatively recently. Actually it is thought that it is really a disease of localized very fast skin turn over...new cells in three days rather than almost a year to turn over! This may occur because of the overactivity of some of the immune cells that then stimulate an abnormal response in the layers of the skin. But as we say, whether you think you have psoriasis, or any other condition, the path to cure is through an accurate diagnosis, and that is the reason to start with your health care provider to discuss adaquate testing. Thanks for the commen!
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