What is psoriasis?

You know psoriasis by the red, thickened, swollen, scaly, demarcated eruptions of spots on larger or smaller parts of the body's skin. Many people experience that the skin becomes dry, red, itchy and stinging. Later, the skin often cracks and there is direct pain and is often accompanied by open sores. Psoriasis can have different shapes and structures, depending on the type of psoriasis. More on this later.

Why do people get psoriasis?
The actual cause of psoriasis is unknown, but research into the skin disease psoriasis has been conducted since the dawn of medical science. Therefore, a great deal is known about the disease mechanisms underlying psoriasis outbreaks. There is much evidence to suggest that it is an autoimmune disease in which the white blood cells are involved in the development of psoriasis. The white blood cells are actually part of the body's immune system, but during psoriasis outbreaks they are involved in the skin cells dividing more than is good. The activation of psoriasis can be triggered by small injuries to the skin. A small tear with a slight infection often causes patients with psoriasis to have outbreaks. But medications, diet, stress and much more can also trigger an attack.

Where do you get psoriasis?
Psoriasis can affect any part of your skin. Some people only get a small red mark, while others get such severe outbreaks covering such large parts of their body that they need intensive treatment and sometimes hospitalization so that treatment can be done around the clock. But don't worry, it's only in very rare cases.

Psoriasis usually appears on the elbows, knees, nails, face, scalp, buttocks and palms. Psoriasis often recurs in the same places, and if the skin is already damaged, it can cause psoriasis to flare up. The latter is called the Köbner effect, named after the German-Jewish dermatologist (skin doctor) Heinrich Köbner, who studied psoriasis in the mid-1800s. It was also in the mid-1800s that psoriatic arthritis was first discovered, but the actual clinical name for this condition did not appear until the 1960s. In this psoriasis guide, I will not go into psoriatic arthritis, but will stick to the skin.

What does psoriasis look like?
During a psoriasis attack, the skin will be affected by inflammation, it will become red, swollen and hot. And the white skin cells will cause the individual skin cell to divide and develop in just 3 days as opposed to the usual 28 days, which is the normal

When you create all these new skin cells, there are too many and that is the reason why the skin flakes and that the psoriasis patient can practically peel it off in flakes. If you look at the skin of a person with psoriasis you will see that the skin is full of inflamed skin cells and all the small blood vessels are dilated.

What types of psoriasis are there?

There are several types of psoriasis, and if you are affected by one type, many people often experience another one.

The individual names are: Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris), Guttate psoriasis, Inverse psoriasis, Nail psoriasis, Pustular psoriasis, Scalp psoriasis and Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP). There is a form of arthritis that sometimes accompanies patients with psoriasis, it is called psoriatic arthritis, and I will not go into that in this psoriasis guide. I will only write about psoriasis on the skin.

The psoriasis that most people suffer from is called in Latin: plaque psoriasis or psoriasis vulgaris. Vulgaris means common. Just like Acne Vulgaris, which means common pimples. 80% of all people with psoriasis have this common psoriasis. It appears as a small red spot that grows and gets a scaly surface. More and more often form, but you can easily settle for just one. This type of psoriasis often appears as 3-12 cm. round spots. They often appear symmetrically, so if one appears on one knee or elbow, there is often one on the other. Psoriasis vulgaris often gives a warm and burning sensation in the skin.

Plaque psoriasis or psoriasis vulgaris most often occurs on the knees, elbows, shins, knuckles, back, palms, soles, genitals and scalp/eyebrows. There are really good treatment options and I have put together a Raz Skincare Psoriasis Package further down.

What is guttate psoriasis? What is guttate psoriasis?
Guttate psoriasis, or guttate psoriasis as it is also called, is typically small, round lesions, but as a large outbreak often develops, the lesions can coalesce when the outbreak of guttate psoriasis is at its peak. This is often the first type of psoriasis to be affected, and it often occurs together with a sore throat or similar infection in the respiratory tract. As written before, they can grow to the size of a coin and coalesce. Guttate psoriasis is fairly easy to treat and I have made an easy Raz Skincare Psoriasis Package at the end of my guide.

What is inverse psoriasis?
The term inverse psoriasis is used to describe a psoriasis rash that is localized to skin folds, especially in the armpits, navel, groin, under the breasts, between the buttocks or, if you are overweight, between folds on the stomach. The skin has a red and shiny appearance with little or no scaling. Inverse psoriasis can easily be confused with a fungal infection, partly because there is also itching in connection with the outbreak. Inverse psoriasis is easy to treat and I have made a Raz Skincare psoriasis pack which should be sufficient for you.

What is nail psoriasis?
Nail psoriasis typically appears as a “thimble spot” in the nail, and preferably several. It is named after how the nails look on a tailor who does not use a thimble and therefore could repeatedly stick a needle into the nail, and that is what it looks like. It is a fairly common type of psoriasis. Often the nail will become thick and uneven. In some cases, the nail may fall off. With nail psoriasis, you can help with lots of minerals and vitamins and a thick ointment. It is fairly easy to stop an outbreak so that it does not get worse, but of course the nail must grow out before the nail is completely beautiful again. I call the treatment Raz Skincare Psoriasis Package.

What is scalp psoriasis?
The scalp is very often the place where psoriasis appears. It is also common for mild psoriasis to only appear on the scalp. Every second person with psoriasis has experienced scalp psoriasis. What few people know is that it is often the dry skin behind the ears that is the first sign of psoriasis. There may not be more outbreaks than this, and you may only experience it once or twice in your life.

It is really rare that it causes hair loss, the most annoying thing is that dandruff gets stuck in the hair and can be a cosmetic irritation for the patient with scalp psoriasis or psoriasis of the scalp. Fortunately, it is fairly easy to care for, and I have made a guide specifically for this problem. You will find it here.

What is pustular psoriasis? What is generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP)?
Pustular psoriasis is among the rarer cases of psoriasis. Pustular means that there is a rash with pus. Pustular psoriasis follows a different inflammatory pattern. The skin will often be covered with lots of bumps containing white pus. If pustular psoriasis spreads to the entire body, it is called universal pustular psoriasis, which often causes fever and plaques on the mucous membranes. Seek medical attention if you have the slightest doubt.

What helps against psoriasis?

Minerals, minerals and lots of greasy ointment. We have plenty of documentation that people with psoriasis get fantastic skin after a vacation where they bathe in the Dead Sea over and over again. Or mud wraps from mineral lakes which contain almost the same vitamins and minerals.

Now, not everyone is blessed with the opportunity to lie down and get mud wraps every other day, or to live by a lake or sea with extra mineral-rich water. In the old days, they used the residual brine after boiling seawater. The residual brine has an even higher content of minerals than the Dead Sea, and is the main ingredient in Raz Skincare Ai.

Since the skin needs to be kept elastic, it is a really good idea to apply a thick ointment after your mineral bath. This will ensure that the skin does not crack and get sores. I use my Raz Skincare Repair, but much more about that in my actual Raz Skincare Psoriasis package.

Should I use cream for psoriasis?
Yes, lots of cream, either one you get from your doctor or the thickest ointment, preferably without water. This will keep your skin supple so that your psoriasis doesn't stick to your clothes or crack and turn into sores.

What triggers or worsens psoriasis? What are psoriasis triggers?
If your immune system is at its peak, your body can often keep psoriasis down, which is why things that lower the immune system are also triggers for an outbreak to start or become more widespread than usual. Triggers are of course stress, illness, poor diet, medication or physical wear and tear on the skin. But smoking, alcohol and sugar also appear as triggers. But the easiest thing is to test on yourself. Try 14 days without sugar and see if it helps you, you can do the same with the other triggers.

Can you eat healthy to treat psoriasis?
There is no clinical evidence that psoriasis can be reduced by diet. However, many people find that increasing their intake of fatty fish, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining a normal weight can help alleviate psoriasis flare-ups. In addition, a general healthy diet can help maintain a normal weight and thus less severe psoriasis.

Does being overweight cause psoriasis?
No, you don't get psoriasis from being overweight, but studies show that you are more predisposed if you are overweight and that outbreaks are significantly worsened by being overweight.

How do you treat scalp psoriasis?
I have written a whole guide about that – you can read it. here.

Is psoriasis hereditary?
Yes, psoriasis is hereditary, and there is a 40-50% risk of a child developing the disease if both parents have psoriasis. The risk is somewhat lower if only one parent or grandparent has psoriasis.

Is psoriasis contagious?
Psoriasis is not contagious.

Treatment of psoriasis - these are the products you need and I have also written about additional products for those who want more than just the package.

Morning routine – order and use

1. Raz Skincare Cleansing Mask
All cleansing should be done with Raz Skincare Cleansing Mask, only as a cleanser, not as a mask. This is to add as many minerals as possible to your skin already during cleansing. When your psoriasis is not in flare-ups, you can add a little Ai to your cleanser, then you will boost it and can keep the psoriasis away.

2. Raz Skincare Ai
Dab on and let dry. Yes, it stings as long as the skin is open, but it's like swimming in the Dead Sea. When your psoriasis is not in flare-ups, you can also boost your skin with extra minerals by adding a capful of Ai to your Raz Skincare Smoothing Body Lotion or similar smoothing lotion.

3. Raz Skincare Hh
Possibly Raz Skincare Hmm – this is a pure humectant that will keep the skin supple and moist and therefore reduce cracking. It is not included in the package as it is not always necessary.

4. Raz Skincare Repair (if it's the face I would recommend Raz Skincare Face Cream Rich )
Raz Skincare Repair is still the most effective in the treatment of psoriasis. For large outbreaks that can cause scar tissue, can be mixed with 3 drops Vitamin E in the palm of your hand and put on. Vitamin E is not included in this package.

If your psoriasis is on your face, I would choose between my Raz Skincare Face Cream Rich or Calm. Rich if you don't have redness but just need lots of moisture and oil. Calm if you have redness before or after a breakout. It will cancel out some of the redness, making your skin appear more even in tone.

Evening routine – order and use

1. Raz Skincare Cleansing Mask
Exactly the same as in the morning and it also removes any makeup, so don't use anything else to wash your skin.

2. Raz Skincare Ai
Dab on and let dry just like in the morning.

3. Raz Skincare Hh
Possibly Raz Skincare Hh – this is a pure humectant that will keep the skin supple and moist, and therefore reduce cracking. Not everyone needs this, so it is not included in the package with the most necessary products.

4. Raz Skincare Repair (if it's the face I would recommend Raz Skincare Face Cream Rich )
Raz Skincare Repair is still the most effective in the treatment of psoriasis. For large outbreaks that can cause scar tissue, can be mixed with 3 drops Vitamin E in the palm of your hand and put on. Vitamin E is not included in this package.

Other treatment

I recommend that you take a long bath once a week, and then gently exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells.

If your psoriasis is on your body, I recommend my Raz Skincare Lavender Scrub , as it prevents inflammation. If your psoriasis is on your face, I recommend my Raz Skincare Coffee Face Peel.

Dietary supplements that can help with psoriasis

A good dose of omega oil. It has been shown to be beneficial to consume a lot of fatty fish and finally boost your diet with extra omega.
Vitamin C for your immune system is also good, and not least a regular multivitamin.

I have collected the products you simply must have in one package and given you a good price.

In severe cases – always seek medical attention.

Hugs Raz.

If you want to read more, or see where I get my knowledge from, here are some of the articles that I believe are the most informative.
Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment
Genome-wide Comparative Analysis of Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis
Immunopathogenic mechanisms in psoriasis
Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Psoriasis
Psoriasis assessment tools in clinical trials