When compared to Caucasians Blacks are less likely to be diagnosed with psoriasis. However, when they are diagnosed, their symptoms are often more severe. There is no cure for psoriasis and very little has changed in psoriasis treatments over the last 50 years.
Moreover, currently available treatments are often fraught with uncomfortable side-effects, and limitations, leaving the vast majority of psoriasis sufferers unsatisfied. But, a newly released, over the counter, treatment offers a fresh new approach to treating and managing psoriasis.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that results in excessive growth of skin cells. Affecting over 125 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, psoriasis can strike anywhere on the body, with any amount of surface coverage, and yields thick red skin patches and scaling.
Not everyone with psoriasis will have red skin patches. The discoloration in Blacks and other people of color will likely be more violet and thicker with less prominent scaling. In dark skin, psoriasis can also be dark brown and difficult to see.
These differences often lead to a misdiagnosis in people of color which is problematic. Research shows that delaying proper diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis can decrease the likely hood of long-term recovery.
The discolored skin patches associated with psoriasis can show up anywhere on your body, but typically affects the elbows, knees, legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of feet. The patches can also show up on your fingernails, toenails, genitals, and inside your mouth.
Psoriasis is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression—diseases that affect Blacks at disproportionate rates. In fact, people with severe psoriasis are 30 percent more likely to have type 2 diabetes. One explanation for the increased diabetes risk is many people with psoriasis are overweight.
Additionally, the inflammatory process in the body contributes to the development of heart disease.
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How is Psoriasis Treated?
There’s currently no cure for psoriasis, but treatment can slow down the growth of skin cells and relieve the pain, itching, and discomfort associated with psoriasis. The type of treatment depends on how severe the disease is; the size of the psoriasis patches; the kind of psoriasis; and how you react to the treatment.
All treatments don't work the same for everyone. Doctors may switch treatments if one doesn't work, if there is a bad reaction, or if the treatment stops working.
Topical treatments such as creams and ointments that are applied right on the skin may help. These treatments can: help reduce inflammation and skin cell turnover; slow the immune system; help the skin peel and unclog pores; and soothe the skin.
Light therapy. Natural ultraviolet light from the sun and artificial ultraviolet light are used to treat psoriasis. One treatment, called PUVA, uses a combination of a drug that makes the skin more sensitive to light and ultraviolet A light.
Systemic treatment. If the psoriasis is severe, doctors might prescribe drugs or give medication via injection that suppresses the immune system. This is called systemic treatment. Antibiotics are not used to treat psoriasis unless bacteria make psoriasis worse.
Combination therapy. When you combine topical, light, and systemic treatments, you can often use lower doses of each. Combination therapy can also lead to better results.
Prosoria-A New Treatment for Psoriasis
Prosoria is the market’s first once-daily treatment system for psoriasis employing a powerful combination treatment approach for mild to moderate psoriasis suffers.
Prosoria’s all in one treatment system includes individual products that are easy and convenient for daily use and take less than 60 seconds to apply. Prosoria includes Prosoria™ Conditioning and Hydrating Gel; Prosoria™ Psoriasis Treatment Gel; Prosoria™ Exfoliating and Moisturizing Cream; and Prosoria™ Rapid Repair Skin Exfoliating Ointment. All four products within the treatment system received a seal of recognition from The National Psoriasis Foundation.
The seal is only awarded to companies whose over-the-counter (OTC) products are proven to safely and effectively relieve the symptoms of psoriasis. The Seal of Recognition identifies tested and trusted products that help people ease symptoms of dry, itchy, flaky skin.
Prosoria uses potent ingredients scientifically chosen specifically for psoriatic skin to effectively reduce the symptoms of psoriasis such as scaling, flaking, itching, redness, and irritation while softening and smoothing the skin.
Prosoria formulations combine clinical strength ingredients along with some of nature’s most powerful botanicals having potent antioxidant activity including turmeric, curcumin, bromelain, Shea butter, vitamin E and vitamin C.
Before making any changes to your current psoriasis treatment check with your healthcare provider to determine if Prosoria is right for you.
Living with Psoriasis
Living with psoriasis can be extremely difficult. Fear of how others will react can affect the quality of life and cause some people to become withdrawn. Many people with psoriasis find it helpful to talk with others who have the disease.
In self-help groups, for example, you can share your feelings and experiences and discuss practical problems that people who don't have psoriasis often have difficulty understanding. Click here to learn more about psoriasis and psoriasis support groups.
Constance Brown-Riggs, is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, national speaker and author of the Diabetes Guide to Enjoying Foods of the World, a convenient guide to help people with diabetes enjoy all the flavors of the world while still following a healthy meal plan. Follow Constance on social media @eatingsoulfully
