A Few Common Psoriasis Myths Refuted

There are a number of skin conditions that you can develop over the course of your life. Unfortunately, there are many people that will develop the uncomfortable and embarrassing problem of having psoriasis. While this condition is fairly common, there are many patients that lack a solid understanding about this condition, which can cause them to believe a few of the more misleading notions about psoriasis.

Myth: Psoriasis Is Contagious

Unfortunately, many individuals will assume that psoriasis is caused by bacteria or fungi and may assume it can be spread from one person to another. Fortunately, this is not the case, as psoriasis is often an autoimmune disorder. When a patient has this problem, the body will start to drastically overproduce skin cells, and this can lead to a painful and itchy rash. While this condition is largely an autoimmune disorder, it is important to note that there can be environmental triggers that may contribute to this problem.  

Myth: There Are No Treatments Available For Psoriasis

Some patients that suffer from psoriasis may assume that there are no treatments available for this condition. However, this is not entirely the case, as there are some treatment options available. While it may not be possible to permanently cure this condition, there are a number of topical creams and prescriptions that can be used to help mitigate the symptoms of psoriasis. Sadly, it must be noted that these treatments will not work immediately. In fact, it may take up to several weeks or longer before noticeable improvements in the condition are noticed. Therefore, you should not lose hope and stop using these treatments after several days of not seeing major improvements in your psoriasis.  

Myth: Over-The-Counter Skin Lotions Are Always Effective For Treating This Problem

Some patients may be concerned about the expenses or inconveniences involved with going to a dermatologist. Therefore, they may assume that they can use standard moisturizing lotions to combat this problem. While this may help some individuals, it must be noted that this can be a gamble, as some patients may have an allergic reaction to these lotions. When this occurs, you may find that the lotion causes your psoriasis to worsen. For this reason, you should only use treatments that have been recommended by your dermatologist.

Psoriasis can be an embarrassing issue to have, and it is important to be as informed as possible when it comes to this type of problem. Knowing that psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder, there are treatments available to lessen the symptoms of this condition and the fact that traditional moisturizing lotions can worsen these symptoms will make it possible for you to better address this issue. For more information, talk to a dermatologist at a location such as Associated Skin Care Specialists.


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