Psoriasis is a non-contagious chronic skin condition. Psoriatic disease causes the lifecycle of skin cells to speed up rapidly, leaving a build-up of extra skin cells on the surface of the skin. This can lead to scaly, red and itchy patches that can sometimes be quite painful.

While there is no cure for psoriasis it often comes and goes and the symptoms can be managed. The main objective of treating psoriasis is to stop the skin cells from growing so rapidly.

Psoriasis can have a wide spectrum of symptoms and varies in severity. For some sufferers psoriasis may occur rarely and in small patches and for others it may occur frequently across a majority of their body.

There are also several different types of psoriasis that effect different parts of the body and can lead to a range of symptoms including dandruff, nail fungus, blisters and itching.

There is no definitive answer as to what causes psoriasis but it is thought to be linked to a problem with the immune system’s T cells (white blood cell). Your T cells are supposed to travel through your body to defend against foreign substances such as bacterium or viruses. But if you have psoriasis, the T cells attack healthy skin cells, thinking that it is healing an infection or wound. This can then lead to the ongoing cycle of psoriasis causing new skin cells to move to the outermost layer of skin too rapidly; this is what gives psoriasis its red scaly appearance.

Although the specific cause of psoriasis is not known there is more clarity about what can trigger psoriasis. Typically psoriasis will start or begin to worsen because of a certain trigger, such as smoking, stress, heavy alcohol consumption, vitamin D deficiency, infection or an injury to the skin such as a bite, cut or scrape. Psoriasis symptoms may also worsen during the colder months. Even though there is no cure for psoriasis there are a variety of treatments that can help to manage it. You can also manage psoriasis through lifestyle changes such as reducing stress, reducing alcohol intake, eating a healthy diet and quitting smoking. Your community pharmacist can provide advice on various methods of quitting smoking and help you to work out a plan for success.

If you are planning to have a baby, are pregnant or breastfeeding you may have some questions about how to avoid flare-ups and treatments that are safe and effective during this time. You may find that you have changes to your psoriatic disease during and after pregnancy. Some women find that their symptoms improve during pregnancy, whereas others see symptoms worsening or a flare-up after the baby is born.

It’s important to speak to your doctor about your psoriasis and effective treatments during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Your community pharmacist is also a great source of easily accessible support if you have any questions about the safety of medicines you have been prescribed or any over-the-counter medicines or supplements you take. Speak to the friendly staff at Colbee Court Pharmacy, conveniently located at Phillip Medical & Dental Centre. Visit https://www.phillipmedicalcentre.com.au/ for opening hours.