'Combined therapies, medicine help control psoriasis'

At least two per cent of Bangalore’s total population suffers from psoriasis, according to a research conducted by one of the government hospitals.

Also, nearly five per cent of the country’s population suffers from the skin disease, the research says.

Dr Sachidanand S, head of the department of Dermatology, Victoria Hospital, who spoke on ‘World Psoriasis Day’ here on Tuesday said that even though most people are aware of psoriasis, the myths associated with it are many.

“People still believe that it is contagious, while it is not,” he added.

He also explained that psoriasis was to do with genetic predisposition and various environmental factors triggered the same. “It is evident that the condition worsens during winter, when compared to summer,” he added. Psoriasis during the initial stages is seen in the form of itchy rashes that later leads to dry skin condition and scaling of the skin.

“Moisturising the skin plays a key role in not letting it aggravate,” the doctor said.

He explained that even though there is no cure for the condition, it can be controlled through medicine and combined therapies.

Dr Krupashankar, a City-based dermatologist, explained that Omega-3 fatty acid was known to improve the condition. He also said the belief that consumption of milk products worsens the condition, was again one of the myths and said it was not ideal to advise those suffering from the condition to avoid dairy products.

The dermatologists who spoke at the programme organised by the Indian Dermatologists Society, in association with Biocon, said that there was abundant information available on the internet. However, most of it is not proven, they added.