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Who Gets Psoriasis?
By Alfred Jia
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease which affects the skin and joints. When
it affects the skin it commonly appears as red scaly elevated patches called
plaques. Psoriasis plaques frequently occur on the elbows and knees, but can
affect any area of skin including the scalp and genital area.
Psoriasis can vary in severity, from minor localized patches to extensive or
even complete skin coverage. Fingernails and toenails are often affected
(psoriatic nail dystrophy). Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints.
This is known as psoriatic arthritis.
Who Gets Psoriasis?
More than 4.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with
psoriasis, and approximately 150,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. An
estimated 20 percent have moderate to severe psoriasis.
Is Psoriasis Gender Biased?
Psoriasis occurs about equally in males and females. Recent studies show that
there may be an ethnic link. It seems that psoriasis is most common in
Caucasians and slightly less common in African Americans. Worldwide, psoriasis
is most common in Scandinavia and other parts of northern Europe. It appears to
be far less common among Asians and is rare in Native Americans.
There also is a genetic component associated with psoriasis. Approximately
one-third of people who develop psoriasis have at least one family member with
the condition.
Research shows that the signs and symptoms of psoriasis usually appear between
15 and 35 years of age. About 75 percent develop psoriasis before age 40.
However, it is possible to develop psoriasis at any age. After age 40, a peak
onset period occurs between 50 and 60 years of age.
Childhood Psoriasis
About 1 in 10 people develop psoriasis during childhood, and psoriasis can begin
in infancy. The earlier the psoriasis appears, the more likely it is to be
widespread and recurrent.
There is growing emphasis on quality of life research in all of medicine, and
psoriasis impacts on every dimension of health-related quality of life. In my
patient population, many of my patients are spending an hour a day taking care
of their psoriasis and are using numerous treatments. Psoriasis treatment
is costly, financially and psycologically.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis develops in roughly one million people across the United
States, and 5 percent to 10 percent experience some disability. Psoriatic
arthritis usually first appears between 30 and 50 years of age, often months to
years after skin lesions first occur. However, not everyone who develops
psoriatic arthritis has psoriasis. About 30 percent of people who get psoriatic
arthritis never develop the skin condition.
Now that you know what Psoriasis is, we urge you to gather more information on
Psoriasis. Find out which Psoriasis treatments will work best for you today!
Psoriasis Can be cured!
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition and CAN be cured! We urge you to
find out more about Psoriasis at
Psoriasis
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