The cause of psoriasis remains unknown even today and there is a combination of factors including genetic predisposition and environmental factors, said Dr Dinesh Kumar, Secretary of the Indian Society of Teledermatology (INSTEAD). It is common that the disease is found in members of the same family.
He was delivering a lecture on the cause of psoriasis on ‘World Psoriasis Day’ in Chennai. “This is a truly global event that sets out to give an international voice to the more than125 million people with psoriasis around the world”, he added.
He said INSTED aims to raise the profile of a condition which needs to be taken more seriously by national and international authorities. The main objectives include raising awareness, improving access to treatment, increasing understanding, and building unity among the psoriasis community. By identifying and treating psoriasis patients early, the burden of the person, the family and the community can be reduced to an extent.
“Psoriasis is a dry, scaly skin disorder. It can also cause intense itching and burning. Normally there is a constant shedding of dead cells. However, due to the acceleration of the replacement process, both dead and live cells accumulate on the skin surface. Often, this causes red, flaky, crusty patches covered with silvery scales, which are shed easily” he added.
He said the Indian Society of Teledermatology (INSTED) was formed to provide access to a number of practitioners in the field of dermatology, not only to facilitate provision of quality clinical care but also as a forum for exchange of views and experience among practitioners of this speciality.
Telemedicine is rapidly evolving as the future of medicine due to continuing advancements in information and communications technologies. The practice of telemedicine has become a channel for exchange of opinions among health-care professionals as well as real-time consultations between medical practitioners and patients.