Can psoriasis be scratched?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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Psoriasis, commonly known as psoriasis vulgaris, is a disease that may be related to reduced immunity, genetic factors, and recurrent tonsillitis. Some patients also have a history of trauma. After the onset of the disease, if the symptoms are mild and there is itching, it is permissible to scratch, but the force should be gentle to avoid creating scratches or further injuries on the skin. Otherwise, psoriasis can spread and worsen along these scratches or injuries, a phenomenon known as the Koebner response. If there are many lesions on the body, try to avoid scratching as it can exacerbate the symptoms. Once diagnosed with this disease, it is essential to seek standardized and formal treatment, which generally involves oral medications combined with topical treatments, and the use of narrow-band ultraviolet light therapy, which can be effective.

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Does psoriasis affect the fetus during pregnancy?

Psoriasis generally does not cause any adverse effects on the fetus during pregnancy. Psoriasis is a recurrent chronic inflammatory skin disease, with a long course and a high tendency to relapse. There is a certain hereditary aspect to psoriasis, with about 20% of cases having a family history, but it is not absolute. It is recommended that pregnant women with psoriasis pay attention to nutrition, new lifestyle habits, emotional adjustment, and psychological regulation, as these factors can be helpful during pregnancy for those with psoriasis.

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Is it good for psoriasis to be exposed to the sun?

Sun exposure can be beneficial for psoriasis, but it should not be for excessively long periods. When you have psoriasis, you should choose the right time for sun exposure. In winter, when the sunlight is gentler, it is appropriate to sunbathe, and you can also sunbathe indoors behind glass. In the summer, it is important to choose the right time, such as early morning or evening when the sunlight is not too intense, to enhance the skin's tolerance in psoriasis patients, allowing for normal sun exposure. Additionally, it is important for individuals with psoriasis to engage in appropriate exercise to boost immune function. During bouts of psoriasis, attention must also be paid to diet, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, avoiding staying up late, and following a doctor's guidance in using Chinese herbal medicine, Western medicine, or a combination of both, which typically yields a relatively ideal treatment outcome.

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Are psoriasis and AIDS related?

Psoriasis and AIDS are somewhat related, because people with AIDS may develop psoriasis after progressing to the AIDS stage. However, under normal circumstances, psoriasis will not develop into AIDS. AIDS only develops after exposure to the HIV virus. Currently, it is believed that AIDS is caused by infection with the HIV virus, whereas psoriasis is mainly caused by environmental factors, immune factors, genetic factors, etc., leading to a type of erythematous, scaly skin disease.

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How to distinguish between tinea corporis and psoriasis?

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Has the psoriasis started to peel? Does that mean it's about to get better?

Psoriasis flaking is not a sign of improvement. The primary characteristic of psoriasis is the appearance of small red papules on the body trunk, face, or scalp. As the condition progresses, fine scales will develop on these papules. These are white and will fall off after scratching but will reappear after several days, continuously recurring. When this situation occurs, it is crucial to seek proper treatment at a dermatology department in a reputable hospital. Besides flaking, psoriasis may also cause itching. Try not to scratch repeatedly, as doing so can lead to cuts and wounds, which may worsen the psoriasis through a phenomenon known as the Koebner response. It is advisable to receive proper medical treatment at a reputable hospital.