Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disease that can progress chronically in flare-ups and relapses if appropriate improvement measures are not taken. Although it does not directly harm overall health, this condition can affect work and quality of life. So, is psoriasis dangerous, and should it be a cause for concern? In the following article, let’s listen to the experts’ answers and learn about simple prevention methods at home.
Detailed Answer: Is Psoriasis Dangerous?
Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological disease that affects about 3% of the world’s population, characterized by areas of damaged skin that appear as drop-shaped, coin-shaped, or oval-shaped lesions with varying sizes. The disease can start anywhere on the body, especially on the knees, elbows, scalp, and armpits. In particular, the damaged skin surface is usually dry, dehydrated, scaly, prone to peeling, cracking, bleeding, and with white scales.
There are many causes of psoriasis, including immune system disorders, genetics, stress, exposure to hazardous chemicals, poor living and working environments, etc. As the disease manifests clearly on the skin, many people are concerned about the high risk of transmission. However, in reality, psoriasis is only inherited from mother to child or spreads across the patient’s body and does not spread from person to person.
Although psoriasis does not directly pose a threat to life, it can lead to various complications if not treated early and properly. So according to experts, is psoriasis dangerous?
Symptoms of Psoriasis
Likelihood of encountering other dermatological conditions
Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological condition that causes the affected skin area to become dry and lacking in moisture. In addition, harmful agents tend to stimulate the body to produce more keratinocytes, resulting in constant peeling of the skin and a very uncomfortable itching sensation. If you scratch or exert strong pressure on the damaged skin area, it will reduce the skin’s protective barrier, leading to bleeding and increasing the risk of developing other dermatological conditions such as contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, fungal infections, and in some cases even superinfections.
Is psoriasis dangerous? – Complications with the kidneys
You may not know it, but psoriasis can cause complications with the kidneys. Patients who do not follow the correct treatment regimen and allow the condition to progress for a long time often experience kidney failure. In addition, if you use psoriasis medication without following the guidance of a specialist, increasing or decreasing the dosage on your own can increase the risk of kidney damage, which is more dangerous as the patient may completely lose kidney function.
Psoriasis affects the heart.
Negative impact on cardiovascular system
Regarding the question of whether psoriasis is dangerous or not, experts affirm that it is because it has a negative impact on the cardiovascular system, causing a reduction in the function of the heart and leading to high blood pressure. According to statistics, up to 20% of psoriasis patients have high blood pressure, and this number increases to about 47% in severe cases of widespread psoriasis. In addition, psoriasis patients are three times more likely to experience heart pain than normal individuals. Doctors also note that some types of psoriasis medications taken in overdose or for prolonged periods can increase cholesterol levels in the blood, affecting the cardiovascular system and potentially causing complications such as heart pain and stroke.
Reduced vision and hearing due to psoriasis
Psoriasis can cause itching, burning sensations in the eyes, dryness and even pupil disorder. Improper use or overuse of psoriasis medications can increase the risk of conjunctivitis, eyelid inflammation, or corneal inflammation. In addition, there are many cases of psoriasis leading to hearing problems, reducing the ability to hear. If not promptly treated, these problems can seriously affect the ears and eyes, and even cause deafness and blindness.
Is psoriasis dangerous? Increased risk of cancer
According to research, psoriasis can increase the risk of cancer by damaging DNA, making patients more susceptible to cancer at higher rates than normal people, specifically: Skin cancer 12%, lung cancer 15%, lymphoma 34%,… This is considered a very dangerous issue that needs to be detected early and prevented, and treated before encountering dangerous complications that affect life.
In addition to the above-mentioned common effects, psoriasis patients are also believed to be at high risk of autoimmune disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, metabolic disorders, etc. At the same time, the disease also has a serious psychological impact, with 40-60% of psoriasis cases experiencing mild to severe depression.
As we can see, the answer to the question “Is psoriasis dangerous?” is definitely yes, as it not only affects work and quality of life, but also poses many dangerous health risks and threats to life.
Psoriasis causes many dangerous complications.
Some important notes to prevent psoriasis
Psoriasis is an external disease but can affect many internal organs of the body, so it should not be taken lightly. To expedite the treatment process and prevent it from occurring, you should pay attention to the following issues:
- Ensure a clean living environment, always clean the body after exposure to dirt, toxins, or each night after work, study, or play.
- Do not expose yourself directly to chemicals, use gloves, protective equipment when doing housework.
- Only use natural and safe perfume, cosmetics, shower gel, and shampoo.
- Think positively, relax, do not let yourself become stressed or under pressure as this will make the disease easier to occur, especially psoriasis when pregnant.
- When applying treatment measures or using Western medicine, you should consult a doctor and follow the instructions provided.
- Supplement daily nutrition with beneficial foods such as green vegetables, fruits, fatty fish, nuts, and avoid fast food, spicy food, high-fat and sugary foods, alcohol, stimulants, etc.
- Exercise regularly, drink plenty of water for the body, balance work and rest time, and do not exert yourself too much.
- It is advisable to have a regular check-up every 3-6 months to monitor the progress of the disease or early detection of the cause, determine the level of the disease, and have appropriate treatment measures.
Regarding the question of whether psoriasis is dangerous, experts affirm that it is. It not only affects the skin but also carries the potential risk of causing heart disease, kidney disease, bone and joint disease, and even cancer. Therefore, you should not be complacent and find ways to prevent and treat it early to best protect your health.
John Alen was born in 1971 and is a doctor in the healthcare and psychology fields with many years of experience. He is currently working at easyhealthylive.com, a leading health and psychology blog. Having studied at Y1 National Medical University named after IM Sechenov, John Alen is using his knowledge and experience to help improve the physical and mental health of people in the United States.
