Psoriasis may be a systemic disease

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Psoriasis, a disease that causes red, raised patches of skin, is seen as a systemic disease linked to arthritis and heart disease, a U.S. newsletter says.

Experts at Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource say psoriasis -- a chronic disease that causes red, raised patches of skin covered with silvery, flaky scales usually at the elbows and knees -- may be related to arthritis and cardiovascular disease and all three may have underlying link, perhaps chronic inflammation.

The patches come and go and may flare in response to triggers -- such as infections, some medications, alcohol, smoking, stress, sunburn, skin irritation or injury.

Treatments include topical applications, corticosteroids or retinoids to reduce inflammation; vitamin D analogs to slow skin growth; and tar -- to reduce scaling, itching and inflammation -- the newsletter says.

Calcineurin inhibitors -- tacrolimus and pimecrolimus -- can help reduce inflammation and skin cell buildup. Ultraviolet light slows the rapid growth of skin cells and is sometimes used alone or in combination with other treatments.

The experts say home care measures can help symptoms. These include:

-- A daily bath, perhaps with added bath oil, Epsom salts, Dead Sea salts, or colloidal oatmeal added, followed by a thick moisturizing cream or ointment.

-- Applying moisturizer several times daily during cold, dry weather.

-- Short sessions in sunlight three or more times a week.