from the bagel Melissa  

The heartbreak of psoriplaasis is not just a slogan from the 1960's. The heartbreak of psoriasis is real!  Reseach from the University of Pennsylvania Department of Dermatology revealed that people ages between 20-50 years old  with moderate to severe psoriasis have a significant increase frequency of heart attacks and strokes compared to 20-50 year old individuals without psoriasis. And data has revealed that when people with moderate to severe psoriasis use appropriate psoriasis treatment they decrease their incidence of heart attacks and strokes.  So seeing a dermatologist for proper psoriasis treatment is very important So what's going on here; psoriasis-skin; heart attacks-heart.Psoriasis is a skin disorder which occurs in 2% of USA population, that's right -7 million people.  1/3 have moderate to severe psoriasis, moderate =5-10% of the body, >10% = severe.   1%= the size of the person's hand.The skin in psoriasis grows to quickly.  Psoriasis is not eczema. eczema does not grow to quickly.  In eczema the epidermis (upper layer of skin) is porous, and allergens, microbes, pollutants permeate through the skin and activate the immune system in the dermis which results in Itching.  Eczema also know n as atopic dermatitis is associated with asthma and often starts in infancy.  Psoriasis often starts in late adolesence and is not associated asthma, it is however associated with arthritis-more to follow
More skin epidermis takes 28 days to grow, in psoriasis it takes four.  Because it is growing abnormally fast it does not have time to mature normally and becomes flakey, scaley, red, raised plaque psoriasis.  Commonly psoriasis of the scalp, facial psoriasis, plaque psoriasis on the elbows, knees, trunk, arms, and legs are noted.queThe rapid epidermal growth is caused by  abnormal activation of the immune cells in the dermis-second layer of the skin. Actiainvation can occur by rubbing the skin example scratching in scalp psoriasis, strep infection, stress , and certain medications-lithium, systemic steroids.These immune cells- specifically T-lymphocytes- which are needed to fight infection- start producing in psoriasis excessive amount of inflammatory molecules- TNF, IL-17, IL-23which not only increase the growth of the epidermis but also increase inflammation in arteries, coronary arteries, and in the joints leading to psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and heart attacks.  So some of the same molecules which cause  plaque psoriasis cause psoriatic arthritis and heart attacks.
In addition there is a significant increase in depression, anxiety , and suicidal ideation in people with psoriasis.
And although I stated the moderate psoriasis starts at 5% body surface area, I treat many people with scalp psoriasis aggressively yet safely because we recognize the impact that even a small area may have on the quality of life.  The same is true for facial psoriasis as well as genital psoriasis.
Whenever I see a patient I ask them about symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, like stiffness in fingers or toes for 20 min or more after waking up, or stiffness in fingers and toes after driving.  Pain in the achilles area, bottom of the foot, spine.  As much as I am empathetic for my psoriasis patients- I am fearful of my patients developing psoriatic arthritis, and try to prevent the progression of joint destruction whcih if left unchecked may be irreversible- and there are good treatments available
The good news is there are very effective quite safe treatments available for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, facial psoriasis, scalp psoriasis . We at The Psoriasis Treatment Center of New Jersey published an article in Journal of Drugs and Dermatology. We evaluated 100 patients who averaged 15% body surface area and after 6 months of safe therapy the average Body Surface Area was 1.5% a 90%,in fact over 50% were completely clear. This data was from two years ago since then newer and ever safer treatments for plaque psoriasis have been FDA approved which 65% clear within 12 weeks,  85% are 90% clear within 12 weeks,  and scalp psoriasis 75% clear within 12 weeks.
And the newer medications do not show any risk of cancer or serious infection.
Here at the Psoriasis Treatment Center of New Jersey we have been at the cutting edge of psoriasis treatment and research for over 30 years.que psoWe are proud to have been involved in the development and delivery of the best treatment options for people with plaque psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, psoriatic arthrits, and facial psoriasis.We are here to provide the best most modern effective care for psoriasis, If you feel you could benefit from our service call 609-443-4500 and we will have an appointment for you within two patient days