Contents:
- Medical Video: What Causes Cold Sores & What They're Telling You About Your Health
- Who is prone to oral psoriasis
- Symptoms of psoriasis in the mouth that need to be watched out
- Treatment options for oral psoriasis
- Tips to reduce the risk of psoriasis appearing in the mouth
Medical Video: What Causes Cold Sores & What They're Telling You About Your Health
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that lasts a lifetime and cannot be cured. Although it generally attacks the outer skin of the body, this disease can also attack the mouth. Here are some things about mouth psoriasis that you need to know.
Who is prone to oral psoriasis
Quoted from the National Psoriasis Foundation in the United States, about 10 percent of people are born with one or more genes that make it more prone to psoriasis. However, only about 2 to 3 percent of people who will grow up have this condition.
Psoriasis can develop when the mutation of the gene is exposed to the trigger. The various triggers for psoriasis, namely:
- Excessive stress
- Certain drugs
- Infection
- Injury to the skin
Symptoms of psoriasis in the mouth that need to be watched out
Psoriasis in the mouth is one that is difficult to recognize. The reason, according to a study in the Journal of Dermatology in 2016 stated that various symptoms can resemble other more common mouth problems, such as canker sores and also chronic eczema.
In order to recognize it, the following various symptoms of oral psoriasis usually appear, namely:
- The appearance of red patches with yellow or white edges.
- Mouth sores are accompanied by a broken tongue.
- Bleeding on the gums.
- The presence of blisters in the mouth accompanied by pus.
- Pain or burning especially when eating spicy food.
- There is a change in perception.
These symptoms are also usually accompanied by other conditions, such as:
- Fissured tonguethe surface of the tongue tends to curl or crack.
- Geographical tongue, red spots on the tongue with white edges look like a group of islands on the map.
- Gum infection
In addition, people who have psoriasis in the mouth usually also tend to have the same symptoms on their skin. This condition is characterized by the appearance of red spots with a silvery colored crust that is lifted on the skin. Psoriasis makes the skin look as scaly and not smooth as usual.
Even so, psoriasis is not contagious so you don't need to be afraid to touch or kiss someone who has this condition.
Treatment options for oral psoriasis
Some people with oral psoriasis do not need special care because this disease is not at all disturbed.
However, others need special care and doctors will usually prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs or topical anesthetics. These drugs will help reduce inflammation and pain, making it easier for you to eat or drink.
If you experience various discomforts due to this one disease, you can do the following methods such as:
- Gargling with a mixture of warm water and salt to relieve pain.
- Do not eat spicy foods when the symptoms are severe.
- Don't smoke because it can worsen symptoms.
- Use the mouthwash that your doctor prescribes like Xylocaine Viscous (lidocaine) and hydrochloride solution.
- Take anti-inflammatory drugs that enter the corticosteroid group if prescribed.
- Take medications such as cyclosporine, methotrexate, and acitretin.
Tips to reduce the risk of psoriasis appearing in the mouth
Although including autoimmune and genetic diseases, you can reduce the risk of its appearance by always maintaining oral hygiene.
Try to brush your teeth twice a day and flossing. Don't forget to clean the tongue with a special cleaning tool or the back of your toothbrush that is bumpy.
In addition, Estee Williams, MD., A dermatologist in New York said that gargling with mouthwash containing alkaline will also help keep the mouth clean. You can make your own mouthwash from a solution of water and baking soda.
If you experience one or more symptoms as mentioned, immediately consult your doctor to find out the exact conditions.
