Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing immune-induced disease that affects skin, nails and joints. This is usually a lifelong condition with no appropriate cure. Treatment of several types is possible, but it only helps control or mildly lessens the symptoms. The cause of this condition is autoimmune, and derives from overproduction of skin cells. As a result, skin cells fail to properly replace, and accumulate in lesions of red, scaly patches, papules, and plaques, which typically itch. These lesions may vary in severity from minor localized patches to complete body coverage. Psoriasis is not contagious, but can visually resemble another contagious disease, leprosy, and thus may seriously complicate social interaction of the patient.
Psoriasis is a reoccurring condition, which can also cause inflammation of joints, which may then develop into psoriatic arthritis (statistically, 10-30% of all psoriasis patients develop psoriatic arthritis within 5-10 years). The five types of psoriasis exist: plaque, guttate, pustular, inverse, and erythrodermic, of which the plaque form is most common.
Most forms of treatment available for individuals affected with psoriasis, come in the form of steroid creams. Any steroid treatment is a dangerous procedure by itself, with risks that have to be thoroughly evaluated; however, for psoriasis patients there rarely is a choice. Steroid creams are reported to have side effects as terrible as tuberculosis and lymphoma. In recent years there has been evidence that irritations and skin inflammatory processes typical for psoriasis may be eased with medical marijuana. CB2 receptors contained in epidermis have been proven to react very well to cannabinoids and cease the overproduction of skin cells. Visual signs of psoriasis (rash, plaques, papules etc.) also show improvement. Thus, medical cannabis can be advised for prescription for skin inflammatory conditions, and may become a promising alternative for treatment of psoriasis.