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This is a common skin disease characterised by thickened patches of inflamed, red skin, often covered by silvery scales. Although Psoriasis does not usually cause itching, the effected area may be so extensive that great physical discomfort and social embarrassment may result.

This effects about 2% of the population and has an equal ratio between males and females.

The exact cause for Psoriasis is not known but tends to run in families. The underlying abnormality in Psoriasis is that new skin cells are produced around 10 times faster than normal. As a result live cells accumulate and form the characteristic thickened patches covered with dead, flaking skin.

The chances of a person developing psoriasis if one of their parents has the disease is 30%, and rises to 60% - 70% if both parents have the condition.

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27% of babies that suffer with Seborrhoeic Dermatitis go on to develop Psoriasis later on in life.

The most common age group is between 15-30 & people in their 50's & 60's.

It has been recognised in Europe and China for around 2000 years.

It has been given various names throughout the ages "Pine Skin Dermatosis", "White Dagger Sore", "Stubborn Dermatosis" are a few of the old translated Chinese names.

This disease is very stubborn condition, and people can suffer for 20-30 years or more without remission.

Treatment with Chinese Herbal Medicine has been shown to have dramatic effects in sending psoriasis into remission, and a wealth of knowledge has been accumulated over the last 2000 years since the disease has been documented.

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There are a few different types of psoriasis with Plaque Psoriasis being the most common, 90% of cases.

The types of Psoriasis are as follows:

• Plaque or Discoid Psoriasis - The most common form with patches appearing on the trunk and limbs, particularly the elbows, knees and scalp. In addition the nails may become pitted, thickened or separated from their beds.
• Pustular Psoriasis - This is a form characterised by small pustules, which may occur all over the body, but are usually confined to localised areas. This type is often associated with people that smoke.
• Guttate Psoriasis - This form occurs most frequently in children. It consists of numerous small patches that develop rapidly over a wide area of the skin, often after a sore throat.
• Erythrodermic Psoriasis - This is a serious form of Psoriasis covering most of the body. Effecting 2% of Psoriasis sufferers, this can be a dangerous condition and requires hospitalisation.

Psoriatic Arthritis can also be an added feature. This is a form of Arthritis that some people with Psoriasis can develop.

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Chinese Herbal Medicine is very effective in the treatment of Psoriasis. This disease is a very stubborn condition, however Chinese Herbal Medicine has proven to be of great value even in treating the most recalcitrant forms of the disease.

Acupuncture can be very effective in treating the pain of the arthritis that is sometimes associated with the psoriasis.

Treatment available via biomedicine include the use of

Phototherapy in various forms, these are as follows:

• Moderate exposure to sunlight and an emollient (soothing cream).
• Exposure to an ultraviolet lamp and an emollient.
• PUVA - This is a newer form of Phototherapy. This combines the use of long-wave ultraviolet light with a psoralen drug which sensitises the skin to light, however many treatments are needed for any success.

(Psoralen drugs - drugs containing chemicals called psoralens which occur in certain plants, such as buttercups. When absorbed into the skin, the psoralens, react with ultraviolet light which, in the case of psoriasis, slows the rate of skin cell production down - which is the cause of Psoriasis. The psoralens also cause the skin to darken when reacting with ultraviolet light, which is why it is considered as a treatment for Vitiligo - see Vitiligo).

Moderate attacks are sometimes treated with ointments containing coal tar or dithranol.

(Dithranol - prescribed as an ointment, paste or cream applied to the skin daily for 30-60 mins before being washed off. It works by slowing the skin cell production down. Unfortunately dithranol commonly causes skin inflammation and a corticosteroid drug needs to be applied to relieve the side effects. Unfortunately the side effects of persistent use of topical corticosteroid drugs leads to what is commonly known as "thinning of the skin", and the skin then takes on the appearance of looking like paper).

Corticosteroid drugs used as a topical application to the psoriasis. This usually has the effect of initially improving the psoriasis, however once the drug is stopped severe rebound reactions occur where the psoriasis gets considerably worse.

Methotrixate is an Antimetabolite drug (used in the treatment of some forms of cancer), it is also has an immunosuppressive effect (suppress the normal function of the immune system). Antimetabolites prevent normal cell division.

It is used in severe cases of psoriasis, when other treatments have failed and biomedicine can offer no further help, many may resort to this form of treatment. The side effects of Methotrixate are many, and the entire spectrum of avenues open to a patient should be explored before embarking on a treatment such as Methotrixate. Regular blood tests are need to ensure the safe use of this powerful drug.

For the accompanying arthritis:

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - long term use can have many side effects including gastro-intestinal discomfort/ulceration.
• Antirheumatic drugs - gold injections and immunosuppressant drugs.
• Methotrixate.

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