Psoriasis Making You Sick?

Psoriasis Making You Sick?

Did you know that, according to the World Psoriasis Day consortium, an estimated 8 million Americans and 125 million people worldwide suffer from psoriasis? That means 2%–3% of the world’s population have overactive immune systems that generate new skin cells considerably faster than they should. While this might sound like some sort of hyper-healing superpower, it can actually be pretty distressing to those experiencing the unsightly and potentially uncomfortable plaques that it causes. Unfortunately, that might not be the only problem psoriasis is linked to. Read on to learn how to spot signs of potential psoriatic comorbidities.

Not Just Skin Deep

The most prevalent symptom of psoriasis is highly visible because it manifests on your skin. However, certain conditions that most people might attribute to the normal wear and tear of aging could be signs of something bigger for psoriasis patients. So, if you have psoriasis, it’s important to pay attention to signals the following areas of your body may be sending:

• Brain — The physical manifestation of psoriasis can trigger anxiety and mood disorders such as depression.
• Mouth — Psoriasis patients are at a higher risk for periodontal disease, of which swollen, bleeding and/or receding gums are an indicator.
• Joints — Psoriatic arthritis is a common comorbidity of psoriasis. Seek treatment at the first sign of stiff or swollen joints to mitigate the severity of arthritis.
• GI Tract — Diarrhea and painful or bloody stool could indicate an inflammatory bowel disease. In fact, Crohn’s disease has been linked to psoriatic diseases due to similar gene mutations present in sufferers of both.
• Feet — Be on the lookout for swollen feet and legs, or other symptoms of unusually high water retention that could be indicative of kidney disease in psoriasis patients.
• Weight — Psoriasis patients may experience weight gain and are at a particularly high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol. On the other hand, sudden, unexplained weight loss in a psoriasis patient could mean liver disease.

If you have psoriasis, realizing that it can affect more than just your skin may be overwhelming, but developing and maintaining a treatment plan with your dermatologist can help you avoid these potential conditions. Call a dermatologist near you today!