Treating Psoriasis: Keratolytics and Other Helpful Tips

4/27/10

By William Scarmardo

Keratolytics

Keratolytic agents can be used to soften and exfoliate the thickened psoriatic scales. While they do not address the underlying problems that cause psoriasis, thinning and smoothing out thickened, often cracking skin can palliate discomfort as well as improve the overall skin aesthetics.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic Acid is very good at loosening the rough scales. Many people have gotten excellent results by applying the Salicylic Acid 3x a week, and weekly applying the Lactic 50. This is a very aggressive treatment, and you have to be careful to watch for skin irritating

Moisturize

Apply a hydrating agent immediately after bathing, washing your hands (if that area is affected) to protect the skin from the environment and from drying out. The topicals are going to hydrate the skin in addition to helping to actively treat the psoriasis, so starting them early can really make a difference.

What causes Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a genetic condition where there is a ""short circuit"" in the activity level of the immune system and ultimately affecting the way in which skin is produced. With sheer unpredictability, the immune system becomes ""over active"" and random sites begin to experience an increased rate of skin cell turn-over.

Skin forms thick white flaking plaques, often compared to the appearance of mica (hence the term micaceous flakes). Cracks, bleeding and discomfort accompany flare-ups. The elbows, knees, sacrum, scalp, nails, palms and soles are most commonly affected. However, nowhere is immune to the potential of developing psoriasis.

Psoriasis is not only disfiguring, it can destroy joints (psoriatic arthritis) and it can take an emotional toll. An equal opportunity skin disorder, men and women are equally affected. Children and infants are also potential victims and most at risk when battling a strep infection.

Flare factors include stress and illness; strep, mycoplasma and staph infections; lack of light exposure (hence the flare often experienced every fall and winter), hormonal imbalances (i.e. pregnancy), and sometimes for no reason at all.

Category: Keratoris Pilaris (KP)

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