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It is normally known that Psoriasis is a complicated disease with no single cause. There are a number of factors that can cause the disease from genetics, to the environment  triggering a  breakdown of the immune system. There can be a number of factors from:-

Stress

climate

infection

skin injury

smoking

Medications

These conditions can create the immune system to breakdown resulting in one of many types of Psoriasis.

 Scalp Psoriasis

The most common form is Scalp Psoriasis occurring in about 50 percent of all patients and it can be one of the most difficult areas to treat. The scales on the scalp can be silvery-white and thick, sticking together tightly to form dense very itchy crusts. Be careful by picking at the scales and scratching the scalp as this can worsen the psoriasis.

Scalp psoriasis can be localized, creating only a few small areas or can affect the entire scalp. The lesions sometimes appear behind the ears and along the hairline, plus they can spread beyond the hairline. If the ear canal is affected with enough scales, hearing may suffer. Hair loss is uncommon as  psoriasis does not affect the hair root, although in bad cases hair loss can happen. Any hair loss usually regrows once the psoriasis is under control.

Small areas of scalp psoriasis that remain hidden by the hair and might not be seen by an one looking; there are forms can be really itchy and highly visible. Silvery-white scales (resembling dandruff) flake onto shoulders , although embarrassing these can create stress for the patient. Successful treatment is vital to control any continued stress and physical discomfort.

Treatment of   http://www.psoriasis-facts-online.com/ScalpPsoriasis.html

Scalp Psoriasis is complex, and many therapies that will help. Occasionally success can be found by trial and error, and it is important to be patient when treating and waiting for results.

Tim Olden is a well known author of Psoriasis Facts, for more information click on:- http://www.psoriasis-facts-online.com/WhatCausesPsoriasis.html

What Causes Psoriasis http://www.psoriasis-facts-online.com/index.html

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Psoriatic arthritis is a distinct disease, different from rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis- another common type of arthritis- but sharing similar features to each.  The disability and functional impairment in psoriatic arthritis can be as severe as that occurring from rheumatoid arthritis.

Typically, a patient will have had psoriasis for a number of years before the arthritis develops.  A small proportion of patient will develop the arthritis concurrently with the skin disease and an even smaller percentage will develop the skin disease after the joint disease.

Psoriatic arthritis may affect most joints in an oligoarticular pattern, meaning a few scattered joints are affected and the joint inflammation does not have the symmetrical pattern seen in rheumatoid arthritis.  Enthesitis, which is inflammation of the tendons that attach to bone, is common in psoriatic arthritis.  “Sausage digits” – swelling of the fingers and toes so that they look like little sausages is frequent.  Nail changes are also common. These include “pitting” and separation of the nail from the nailbed. Some patients will develop carpal tunnel syndrome because of inflammation in the wrist.  Inflammation of the eyes is a serious complication, as is involvement of the aortic valve of the heart.

Joint deformity is frequent and affects 40% of patients with the disease.  Psoriatic arthritis has a significant impact on quality of life.  The skin disease is a tremendous burden and often leads to depression.

The inflammatory process that causes both the skin disease as well as the joint disease is driven by elevated levels of a substance called tumor necrosis factor, or TNF.

A patient with psoriasis who complains of joint pain, swelling, morning stiffness, and fatigue should raise a high level of suspicion for the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.

Laboratory testing will show evidence of inflammation and imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help confirm the diagnosis.

Treatments that improve the skin disease do not necessarily improve joint symptoms and vice versa.

Treatment goals include symptomatic relief and control of disease progression.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are helpful for relieving some symptoms.  However the majority of patients with psoriatic arthritis will require a combination of methotrexate and anti-TNF biologic therapy.  Anti-TNF therapies have provided a significant advance in the treatment of both the skin as well the joint disease in patients with psoriatic arthritis.
Dr. Wei (pronounced “way”) is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of  Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: [ http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/types-of-arthritis.html ]Types of Arthritis

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