Forms of Psoriasis
February 28, 2011
The chronic skin condition known as “psoriasis” is a disorder of the immune system that strikes both genders at any age. Afflicting about 90% of psoriasis sufferers, the most common form of the disease, the “plaque type,” is characterized by salmon-pink plaques of inflamed skin covered by silvery scales contained in sharp outlines. These plaques, which most commonly appear on the elbows, knees, and scalp, usually develop symmetrically on both sides of the body. As for the second most common form of the disease, “guttate psoriasis,” it is marked by the appearance of small, red, scaly spots on the arms and legs. While these common forms of psoriasis may be mild, they can also be very distressing.
P.S. While patients with mild psoriasis may be helped by skin moisturizer, anti-dandruff shampoo, and sunlight, most patients require medically supervised topical therapy (ointments, gels, and lotions); phototherapy (light); or systemic therapy (drugs).
A Warning of Things to Come?
February 21, 2011
Such non-melanoma cancers as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma affect about one million Americans annually, according to the American Cancer Society. While these benign forms of skin cancer are generally non-fatal, they may be a warning sign of more serious things to come. According to recent research, individuals who have had a normally non-fatal form of skin cancer have double the risk of developing other types of cancers. This increased risk, which is especially pronounced in younger people, suggests that those who get these less-serious forms of skin cancer may generally be more cancer-prone. That is, some people may have a genetic predisposition to skin cancer that may also be linked to other forms of cancer.
P.S. According to the study mentioned above, people who develop skin cancer between the ages of 25 and 44 had 2.6 times the risk of developing another cancer.
The Villages Office