5

Changing phases

Psoriasis is a RELAPSING-REMITING condition.

Relapsing: psoriasis plaques reappear
Remitting: skin nearly or completely clear

New skin cells are made in the deepest layer of our skin, working their way up to the top layer to be shed. In psoriasis, this process has been speeded up many times, causing a build-up of skin cells on the surface as scale. For some people with psoriasis, flares or new plaques only happen occasionally. For others plaques rarely leave. Most people will have flares at some point, even during treatment.

chat

What does that mean for me?

Psoriasis flares are unpredictable and it can feel as if they appear at the worst possible times! It can be particularly upsetting when new plaques occur after a period of clear skin. Many people find the relapsing-remitting nature of psoriasis one of its most troubling features.

When you don’t know whether or not you are about to have a flare you can feel out of control and spend energy worrying about when the next flare will appear, rather than enjoying the ‘here and now’. When you're in a good phase, you may feel on top of your psoriasis or even feel able to ignore it completely.

chat

What does that mean for me?

It can be a challenge to keep up with your medicines or treatments when you are in a good phase. With practice, people can discover new ways of dealing with the unpredictable nature of psoriasis by learning to be flexible and having alternative plans.

The immune system is what helps our bodies to heal wounds and fight infections. All parts of the body, including skin, work together to prevent infections getting worse, or stop diseases starting. These parts can be as large as whole organs, or as small as individual cells which send out chemical messages. Put together these parts make up the immune system.

chat

What does that mean for me?

Some types of chemical messengers in the body are responsible for causing inflammation (the ‘inflammatory process’). For people with psoriasis this leads to redness and itchiness in the skin and for those with psoriatic arthritis pain and swelling in joints.

The precise reasons why some people have psoriasis are currently unknown. As well as family links, we are starting to understand the ways psoriasis is linked with our immune system.

Certain cells in the body are used by the immune system to protect us against infections and it seems like changes to these cells can lead to psoriasis. Skin is our biggest organ and is an important part of the immune system.

chat

What does that mean for me?

Some types of chemical messengers in the body are responsible for causing inflammation (the ‘inflammatory process’). For people with psoriasis this leads to redness and itchiness in the skin and for those with psoriatic arthritis pain and swelling in joints.

Nurse's top-tip

Things that can trigger a flare or worsening of your psoriasis can include infections, hormonal changes, smoking and lots of alcohol. Some scientists think that being overweight causes more inflammation.

This is why dermatologists now also recommend that people with psoriasis ask for specific advice about making changes to lifestyle such as getting more active or losing weight.

Doctor's top-tip

Although psoriasis doesn’t go away completely, new psoriasis treatments are based on the most recent scientific understanding of how our immune system works. The treatments you are prescribed may be trying to 'damp down' your immune system to keep the good phase going but they take time to work.

Ask your healthcare provider how long you should keep using your treatment after any plaques have gone. Usually it is important to keep using it even when your skin is clear but this depends upon the type of treatment you are on.

Patient’s top-tip

Be flexible. If you’ve got a big event coming up, choose two different outfits, one for if your skin is clearer and one for if you have a flare. That way you will be ready for anything.

Search online for The Flaky Fashionista for ideas about clothes.

See also:

Linking mind and body

Treatment overview

Make notes

Use this space to write down what you find are the most challenging/frustrating aspects of living with psoriasis

What next? Write down some
of your ideas for what you
may want to change.

 


GOAL 1

WHAT I want to happen


Talk to my doctor or nurse about the latest ideas for managing psoriasis

PLAN 1

How I am going to make changes

Book an appointment

GOAL 2

PLAN 2

calendar
1. I will
on
2. I will
by

For further advice or information please consult your healthcare provider or psoriasis patient association in your region

5

impact PSORIASIS
The University of Manchester
Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
psoriasis association
Salford Royal NHS
Funded by NIHR
Designed by www.spoken-image.com