SKIN CONDITION REFLECTS ONE’S HEALTH STATUS
Sk i n di s e a s e s and disorders are more often poorly understood, especially in Botswana where most people have a misconception that skin health is unimportant.
A Dermatologist at Sidilega Private Hospital, Dr Eugene Hirschfeld, highlights that Psoriasis is one of the skin disorders that people are not informed about.
“Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin which affects two to three percent of the world’s population,” explains Dr Hirschfeld. It is mostly associated with systematic inflammation that can affect the joints in the form of Arthritis, and can also increase the risk of cardiovascular related diseases and also affect the eyes.
According to Dr Hirschfeld, skin is the largest organ of the body, and a lot of diseases within the body tend to manifest through the skin. Hence a person’s skin often reflects their general well- being or health status.
Psoriasis affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It usually affects the few areas in the body, not limped to the scalp, elbows, knees, nails and buttocks area.
However, in severe cases, the legions can merge and grow eventually covering large parts of the body. Dr Hirchfeld warns that it usually presents itself in the form of plagues that appear to be red with silvery scales and look like bumps on the skin.
Psoriasis is caused by multiple factors that include; generic predisposition, which poses a high risk for one to be affected. Certain bacterial throat infections together with HIV can also be contributing factors, as well as some medications that can aggravate this skin condition.
“These medications include; anti-hypertension. Lithium and oral steroids, especially when
doses are stopped rapidly without slow tapering.
Dr Hirschfeld says stress also exacerbates skin diseases, and especially psoriasis.
He says there is no cure for psoriasis but there are treatments that aim at calming inflammation and reducing symptoms.
“Control of inflammation reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and metabolic syndrome and other diseases associated with inflammation,” he explains.
Dr Hirschfeld cautions that skin health deserves priority, as it is mostly associated with other underlying conditions.