Psoriasis is a disease that many people are familiar with. Psoriasis is also called psoriasis. As name suggests, it is as difficult to remove as cowhide. On one hand, he needs scientific treatment. treatment. Many psoriasis patients want to understand and solve problems of itching, thickening and flaking of skin, so first we need to understand causes.

Why does psoriasis itch?

Firstly, it is accompanied by inflammation. A variety of inflammatory cells gather in skin of psoriasis patients, which can synthesize and secrete a large number of inflammatory mediators and cytokines. These inflammatory mediators and cytokines act on sensory nerve endings responsible for pruritus and transmit an itch signal to nerve center, thereby causing sensation of itching.

Secondly, dry skin can also increase itching. Especially now that climate is dry in winter, which tends to speed up formation and flaking of scales, and dryness will also make skin's itchy receptors more sensitive to external irritants, making it more prone to unbearable itching.

The third point is that once skin is damaged, inflammation will spread further, combined with a possible secondary microbial infection, which will cause more bacteria to grow in affected area and aggravate condition, further disrupting skin's barrier function, skin damage and work to restore skin in same constant "attraction" to ground will be reflected on skin, which will intensify itching. Many patients subconsciously and unconsciously itch at night, which is one of causes of serious skin lesions.

Why does skin thicken and flake?

A key feature of psoriasis is abnormal epidermal metabolism. The time of renewal of epidermis in normal people is about 28 days, and in patients with psoriasis - only 3-4 days. The proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes is accelerated, and cell cycle is greatly shortened. A large number of keratinocytes collect on surface of skin before they completely die off, forming a thick stratum corneum. This accumulation and thickening of epidermis in psoriasis patients is cause.

This results in formation of thick scales on surface of skin, which continue to grow rapidly after scales are scraped off. However, these scales are made up of proteins and lipids in body, excessive consumption of which will cause nutritional imbalances, and need for nutrient intake also increases during illness.

Why does scale fall off?

It was mentioned above that "keratinocytes collect on surface of skin before they die", and even says that some cells are still in "young" stage of development. These immature cells are loosely connected to each other. a lot of air, it can have a silvery-white appearance when light is refracted. Also, because of loose combination, it is easy to scratch and scrape off, and will fall off on its own due to buildup exceeding adhesive load. Even if you don't care, you will often see dandruff scattered all over place.

Pronounced scaling of skin lesions and high plaque hypertrophy indicate that disease is in an active and exacerbated stage. When disease stabilizes to a dormant stage with proper treatments, scaling will continue to decrease.

When inflammation is completely eliminated, that is, when it is almost clinically cured, situation is slightly different for everyone: in some people, psoriasis disappears first, and skin lesions fully recover after a period of healing and metabolism; after skin lesions subside, and skin color becomes normal through metabolism, phenomenon of falling silver scales will gradually disappear. At this time, more moisturizer should be applied to speed up recovery rate.

Three points to remember when treating psoriasis

Once you understand reasons, I think it will be easier to figure out what to do.

Intense Hydration:

Moisturizing can be good for relieving itching. Moisturizing three to five times a day, combined with holistic treatments, can help repair skin lesions. Frequent bathing is also a good choice, but don't forget to apply moisturizer after washing your face.

Scratch protection:

Be sure to control your hands, you can stroke them vertically to reduce itching and prevent aggravation of inflammation. It is also very important to protect scales. Although they are "waste" of skin, coated scales help prevent infection from getting worse and help skin lesions heal. It is best not to wash them with your hands while taking a bath. .

Suitable medicine:

Medicines, hormonal drugs, anticancer drugs, antifungal drugs, immunosuppressants, these drugs are often used for treatment, but these drugs are usually used for skin conditions and they are not specific to psoriasis. suppressing or relieving itching, and at same time causing addiction, drug resistance and side effects continue to appear - a temporary problem can be solved, but hidden dangers are also quietly buried.