It often affects the scalp, elbows and knees although, in acute cases, it can affect virtually the whole body. It is one of the so-called chronic 'incurable' disorders that is all too often trivialised because it is not life threatening or physically debilitating. However, it is certainly not a trivial matter and often causes great distress and embarrassment. If you suffer with psoriasis, you are not alone. That means between 1.2 and 2.4 million people have psoriasis in the UK and that number is steadily increasing each year.
Many people live in quiet desperation.
No one is certain what causes psoriasis. Clinical studies have shown that psoriasis may have a variety of causative factors ranging from diet, physical and emotional stress, and even nervous shock. Thus there can be enormous build up, inadequate maturation, and finally plaque formation from the cells thus affected. Oral steroids and even cytotoxic drugs similar to those used in cancer therapy may be needed for severe cases. Notice also the list of side-effects associated with these treatments.