Psoriasis: what is the problem?

Provocative factors affecting the development of the disease

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Throughout human history, hundreds of thousands of people have suffered from psoriasis. Moreover, the number of patients increased with the development of civilization. Adverse effects of various environmental factors, including emotional stress, various bacterial and viral infections, endocrine disorders, and skin damage can trigger the development of psoriasis in people who are prone to this disease.

Psoriasis has been known to people since ancient times. The first mentions of it date back to 35 AD, although scientists suspect the existence of earlier sources. So, mentions of this skin disease were found in the writings of the ancient Greek doctors Hippocrates and Celsus. It is also believed that psoriasis was actually one of the skin diseases described in the Bible under the name "Tsaraat", or "God's punishment".

The number of patients with psoriasis in the total population of our planet is on average about 2.5–3% (from 0.7% to 5%, depending on the geography of residence).

Psoriasis is characterized by the appearance of a characteristic rash on the skin in the form of areas of skin thickening (infiltration) with redness (erythema) and peeling on the surface of the rash elements. Depending on the form of the disease and the course of the disease, the location, size and other characteristics of the rash elements can vary widely.

Depending on the form and course of the disease, the elements of the rash can have a color from pale pink to dark red, rise above the skin level. There is peeling on the surface of the plaques - from small lamellar to total, when the scales completely cover the rash element.

Full version of the access article in Ukrainian

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