Skin Condition
Skin Condition
Causes or triggers of psoriasis are more difficult to identify. However the presentation is very obvious on the epidermal layer of the skin, with cell turnover occurring too quickly, over 2 to 3 days when normal cell turnover occurs over 28 days. The rapid cell turnover results in build-up of ‘plaques’ of dead skin cells and the silvery, flaky appearance on psoriatic skin.
Rapid cell turnover occurs due to an abnormally accelerated immune response. When there is chronic inflammation, extra blood vessels are formed in the dermal layer of the skin, which contributes to the skin appearing red and inflamed. The effects can only be dampened down with anti-inflammatory agents.
Scratching and itching leads to breaks in the epidermal and dermal layers, leaving the skin vulnerable to secondary infections caused by invading bacteria, fungi or viruses.





