Around 125 million people worldwide are affected by psoriasis. In France, up to 4% of the population suffers from this chronic inflammatory skin disease.
It's hard to imagine just how unpleasant the effects of this disease can be. Because psoriasis is accompanied by lesions that can sometimes spread over a large area, be highly visible and
handicaps everyday activities. It's not easy to stop scratching lesions when they itch (even at the risk of amplifying the problem, especially when younger people are involved), or to find the right solution to get rid of them and soothe the skin over the long term.
All the more so as several factors can trigger attacks...
Let's take a look at psoriasis and how best to care for your skin all year round.
RECOGNIZING THE PSORIATIC LESION
Psoriasis can start at any age, although it can sometimes first appear in childhood or between the ages of 20 and 40.
The lesions are highly recognizable because they are clearly defined: the skin is red and swollen, and peels off in the form of white flakes known as squames (which can vary in size). Psoriasis plaques are generally found on areas of friction, joints (knees, elbows) and the scalp, but can also spread to other less frequent areas (mucous membranes, feet and hands...), which are sometimes more sensitive to pain.
In certain more serious forms (psoriatic arthritis), medical attention is required, as psoriasis can be accompanied by high fever and joint pain...
So it's not a disease to be taken lightly, even if in most cases it remains benign.
In any case, it's essential to have this initial diagnosis confirmed, so that you can put the right treatment in place.
IS PSORIASIS A PSYCHOSOMATIC DISEASE?
For a long time, psoriasis was thought to be psychosomatic in origin.
But while it's true that stress and poor mental hygiene can have an impact on the disease, the factors that trigger an attack are a little more complex than that.
Undertaking therapy won't cure you of psoriasis (although it may contribute to your mental well-being).
It's essential to understand that it's a combination of factors that are involved in inflammatory flare-ups.
Psoriasis evolves in attacks, so anticipating what might trigger them is already a first step towards relief.
The first thing to consider is genetic predisposition, by doing a little research in your family circle (which close relatives are also affected?).
Taking medication, a high level of stress (as may be the case at the start of the school year), an emotional shock, a skin trauma, an altered environment, exposure to the sun: all of these can encourage the onset of a new attack.
So it's important to keep a close eye on the changes you make to your daily routine, to see what may have triggered the first symptoms, because psoriasis is a complex disease...
THE IMPACT OF PSORIASIS ON QUALITY OF LIFE
This abnormal proliferation of superficial epidermal cells has a serious impact on patients' quality of life. Firstly, the lesions and accompanying pain can be incapacitating and impair daily mobility (particularly when joints are affected).
But they are also difficult to bear because of the way other people look at the disease (and often because of their total ignorance of it), and because of the extent of the lesions and their location (all the more so because they are more difficult to accept when they are more visible).
The onset of the first symptoms can be a source of anxiety and questions (which don't always have the right answers either). The disease also suffers from a completely erroneous image, as psoriasis is not contagious and therefore cannot be “caught”! Certain beliefs have a thick skin!
SEAWATER: HYDRATION AT THE HEART OF SKIN CARE
All atopic skin, whether it's prone to eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis or cutaneous dryness, has an increased need for hydration. Hydration is even at the heart of the skincare ritual to heal lesions, relieve pain and regain softer, suppler skin that lasts.
Seawater-based products contain exactly the resources needed by the different layers of the epidermis to rebuild and strengthen.
Seawater acts deeply and from within on cellular mechanisms to boost natural immunity: it soothes inflammation, repairs damaged skin, relieves the discomfort and pain of itching, prevents the risk of recurrence...
It really is a precious asset in the fight against psoriasis.
Remember: the more you take care of your skin on a daily basis, the better it will react in times of crisis!
THE SKINCARE RITUAL FOR PSORIATIC SKIN
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