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Dubai experts urge early treatment of psoriasis

Dubai - Health experts discussed the importance of early treatment for psoriasis not only to treat the disease with minimum complications but also to prevent the onset of other diseases.

Psoriasis is a systemic disease which means that patients with the disease are at a higher risk of developing other diseases, said officials at the Dubai Health Authority's Twitter clinic held on Thursday.

Health experts discussed the importance of early treatment for psoriasis not only to treat the disease with minimum complications but also to prevent the onset of other diseases. Psoriasis is a chronic non-contagious systemic disease that presents itself in the form of red patches covered by white scales all over the affected area.

PsoriasisA chronic non-contagious systemic disease that presents itself in the form of red patches covered by white scales all over the affected area.

Dr Anwar Al Hammadi, Director of Dermatology at the DHA, said: "Globally, a significant number of patients have limited knowledge of the condition."

"Lack of knowledge often leads to delayed treatment and misconceptions about the disease. Patients also need to understand that although there is no cure, it can be managed effectively through treatment and a healthy lifestyle. In addition, since the disease rarely causes any secondary infections patients can lead their life normally."

Al Hammadi highlighted that 30 per cent of patients with psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis, and are also prone to developing high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression etc, and therefore they need to take charge not just of their disease but also of their overall health."

Hereditary factor

Roughly psoriasis affects two per cent of the global population and hereditary factors play a major role in this disease. Thus if both parents have psoriasis then the likelihood of their children getting the disease is 41 per cent and it is 14 per cent if one parent has it. If one of the sibling is affected with psoriasis, the risk of other siblings developing it is six per cent.

Al Hammadi said advances in treatment of psoriasis is ongoing. Al Hammadi said presently treatment options include tropical crèmes, oral pills, phototherapy light therapy) and for severe cases biological injections.

Al Hammadi added that currently the latest form of treatment, which is being studied, is the use of a biological pill instead of injections.

Dr Shaikha Alia Al Moalla, Senior Dermatologist at the DHA, said: "It generally develops on the scalp, knees, or elbows, although it may affect any area of the skin. The production of skin cells at affected sites is accelerated, and the accumulation of excess cells causes scaly plaques."

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com