Psoriasis: A Genetic Analysis

The Integumentary is a vast organ system composed of exocrine glands, hair, nails, and the most commonly known organ, the skin. As a large system, it can be susceptible to many different types of diseases, one of these diseases are called Psoriasis. This affects a large portion of the Integumentary system, the skin. Psoriasis are considered to be a widespread, common and recurring disease that can be chronic at times. Psoriasis are defined by its appearance of light silver in color, flaky, rash on many parts of the Epidermis.

This essay explores and reflects on the lived experiences of an elderly patient living with the long-term condition (LTC) of psoriasis. A case study is used to illustrate some of the key features of LTCs and the impact they can have on a patient’s physical, psychological and social state. It is also going to be looking at the effect some of the key features can have on a patients support network or family. In addition it will examine the nurses role in the management of LTCs and the health and social policies that may have an impact on the care received by patient with LTCs.

Psoriasis: This is a common, chronic and recurring skin disorder that changes and alters the life cycle of skin cells. It causes cells to accumulate quickly on the skin surface. The extra cells from the skin forms a thick, itchy, silvery scale and a red patch. It can appear at any part of the body such as the knee, scalp, elbow etc. it is treated with drugs applied to the skin, ingested and with ultraviolet radiation. This disease has affected about 1%-5% of the world population and it is more common to the light skinned people. Psoriasis may persist throughout a person’s life as it comes and goes but it is usually reduced during the summer period when the skin is exposed to ultraviolent radiation and flare ups are common during

Background: Plaque psoriasis is a painful autoimmune disease that affects up to 3% of the US population.1 Moderate-to-severe psoriasis can have significant psychological and physiological effects on a person’s health and although psoriasis can be controlled, it cannot be cured, so medications play an important role in reducing related comorbidities and improving patients’ quality of life.2

Psoriasis is a inflammatory and hyper proliferative disease of the skin, which is caused by the immune system. The immune system is overactive causing for cells to be produced at a faster rate than normal. Someone with Psoriasis immune system will attack their skin cells causing for damage in the skin. The Immune system produces T-cells which aid in recognizing foreign invaders and attacking them. However, with psoriasis the T-cells mistakenly identify skin cells as invaders and attack them. Furthermore, the attack on the skin cells leads to skin damage causing for the body to produce skin cells at a higher rate. The integumentary which is responsible for the production of skin cells is affected and goes in hyper drive. Normally, it would take approximately, a month to produce new skin cells, however, when someone has Psoriasis skin cell production is at a higher rate. Psoriasis causes for new skin cells to be produced at faster rate causing for skin cells to surface in 3-4 days. The body cannot shed skin cells at that rate which causes for old skin cells to pile up and cause flakey watched know as plaques. Scientist have discovered five different forms of psoriasis.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) publication from October, 2013, Psoriasis affect more than 3% of the adult population in the United States. Some become embarrassed of their lifelong chronic condition where others embrace it and continue on as if it does not affect them. This may keep some from seeking employment, a trip to the grocery store, any other form of outing in public, or communication with others in fear than they may be seen. There is always an upside for some affected by this. If the individual is the opposite, they may bring their condition to public light and inform those that are uneducated over the matter so that they can better understand and learn how those affected cope with their chronic condition. They may also give others affected by Psoriasis insight on treatments that have been most beneficial for their

55-year-old Mollie Carman, when she was a teenager, developed psoriatic arthritis, but it took three decades to get a formal diagnosis. Along the way, the doctor suspects she may have fibromyalgia or lupus. When she finally saw the rheumatologist, everything changed. Now, Kaman is working to raise awareness of this painful disease.

Psoriasis is a life long chronic skin condition that starts under the skin and can range from a very mild case to a very severe case. Psoriasis is one of the most perplexing and relentless skin conditions. There are many symptoms of psoriasis. Itchy, scaly skin on the scalp, knees, elbows and upper body are some of the symptoms or psoriasis. Psoriasis on the fingernails and toenails can make the nails become thick, pitted, and discolored. The nails could possibly separate from the underlying nail bed. Psoriasis is caused when the gene that contains your immune system gets mixed up. The gene is supposed to protect the body from invaders; however, it causes inflammation in the skin and causes the skin cells to go into overdrive. The gene determining

“Psoriasis is a long-term (chronic) skin problem that causes skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting in thick, white silvery, or red patches of skin.” (WebMD, 2012) To uneducated individuals, they may look at a person with Psoriasis and think to stay away from them as it might be contagious. This disorder is not contagious, but it does affect a person with Psoriasis to go through social exclusion and discrimination. A mistaken trigger in the immune system is said to be the one of the causes of rapid production of skin cells in the body. Patients with Psoriasis produce new skin cells between 2-6 days. That is a little over four times less than the time they are normally produced, which is 21-28days. “Psoriasis affects approximately 3% of

Psoriasis is a constant immune system infection that for the most part influences the integumentary framework. In the United States, psoriasis is the most common immune system sicknesses, affecting around 7.5 million Americans, or 2 – 3% of the populace. Despite the fact that psoriasis can happen at any age, the mean period of onset for the first event is between 15 – 20 years, with a second crest at 55 – 60 years. While the definite reasons for psoriasis are obscure, the illness happens when a strange insusceptible reaction prompts hyperproliferation of youthful cells of the dermis and epidermis, changed cell separation, and aggravation. The invulnerable reaction connected with psoriasis is T-cell intervened. Lymphocytes will be lymphocytes, or

Psoriasis is an unpredictable and irritating rash, which starts as a few red bumps but may get larger and thicker, and possibly get scales on top; the patches may come together and cover a large part of the body. This chronic inflammatory condition is recurrent, with alternating periods of remission or increased severity. The rashes can be itchy and uncomfortable, and can bleed easily if rubbed or get picked at. Psoriasis is not contagious, which means you cannot catch the disease by touching someone who has it. These occurrences are affected by the environment, endocrine changes, pregnancy and emotional stress.

Psoriasis is believed to be a genetic disease that only about two to three percent of people have. People have a higher chance of developing psoriasis if someone in their family has it. Some people may not know they have it until something triggers the gene. Something as simple as a sore throat or a sunburn can cause the skin to be inflamed,

Patients who suffer from Psoriasis face many challenges. This skin disease that has no cure is very difficult to treat and has many physical, emotional and financial problems associated with it. We, as medical assistants need to be made more aware of this disease. We also need to educate ourselves so we can help educate our suffering patients. Through education and counsel, as well as emotional and medical support, we can make a difference in these people’s lives.

Psoriasis was copied from the Greek word psora, which means “to itch” (Jean, 2011). Psoriasis is a chronic, long lasting autoimmune skin disease that disturbs the speed of the growth cycle in skin cells (Stress-Related Disorder Sourcebook, 2016). Normal, healthy skin cells replace dead skin cells every twenty-eight to thirty days (Langley, 2005). Skin is the largest organ in the body. It protects from the environment, regulates body temperature, helps coordinate immune system regulation, function of touch sensations, waterproof, and prevents toxin substances from entering the body (Langley,2010). Psoriasis effects greater than three percent

“Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin.” (National Psoriasis Foundation, 2012) It tends to affect the elbows, knees or scalp however it can appear anywhere on the body. (National Psoriasis Foundation, 2012)