Learn About Psoriasis (types of Psoriasis, Symptoms, Treatment and Remedies)

Psoriasis is a longstanding skin condition that mostly affects adults but can also be found in children and teenagers.

In normal circumstances, the skin usually takes about four weeks from the time it is produced to the time it is shed off. In psoriasis, skin cells production is so high that the flaking-off of the skin is done in a matter of a few days instead of weeks.

This leads to a buildup of skin tissue which gives the characteristic appearance of affected skin in this disease. This includes silvery, red and flaky skin patches. There may also be crust formations.

The disease patches usually affect the elbow, the legs, the lower back, and under the breasts and between the buttocks. These patches can widen out and coalesce with others to form large areas with the skin disorder.

 

Types Of Psoriasis

Psoriasis can be classified as mild, moderate or severe. This depends on the severity of the condition and the extent of skin affected and whether there are other complications.

Other classification depends on the part of the body affected and the pattern of the patches.

Some of the types here are:

  • Plaque psoriasis is the commonest and the one described above
  • Nail psoriasis
  • Scalp psoriasis
  • Inverse (flexural) psoriasis that mostly affects areas with skin folds like the armpit, under the breast, and between the buttocks
  • Pustular psoriasis where the patches develop pus
  • Palmoplantar pustular psoriasis affects the palms of the hand and soles of the feet
  • Psoriatic arthritis

 

Symptoms

These depend on the severity and the area affected. General symptoms include:

  • Dry and crusty skin that easily bleeds. May contain pus in some types
  • Red silvery skin patches
  • Thick and pitted nails
  • May be swollen and painful joints
  • Small scaling spots (mostly seen in children)

 

Psoriasis comes in cycles and sometimes can go into remission even without any treatment.

Symptoms will also depend on whether psoriasis has complicated to affect other areas and organs of the body.

Some of these are:

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Arthritis
  • Depression
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Diabetes
  • Metabolic syndrome and others

In such cases, the specific complication will present with the relevant signs and symptoms.

 

Causes And Triggers

The exact cause is unknown. But there appears to be a connection between the disease and certain disorder with the immunity.

The immunity reacts abnormally causing proliferation of skin production in certain areas.

The problem also appears to have a genetic connection as it can run in families. Triggers and risk factors include:

  • Change of climate to cold areas
  • Skin injury
  • Some drugs
  • Smoking and alcohol
  • Infections and
  • Excessively dry skin
  • Obesity

 

Diagnosis

The clinical appearance and examination help the doctor suspect psoriasis. A family history may also point to psoriasis.

A skin biopsy may be taken to be examined under a microscope.

This helps to establish the type of psoriasis and to rule out other skin conditions that may be confused with the disorder.

 

Treatment

Treatment aims at reducing the rate of skin growth and to relieve the pain of the scaly, cracking skin.

It also aims at minimizing complications. It comprises of topical skin applications, light (phototherapy) treatment and use of oral or injectable medications.

Topical medications include creams, ointments, and shampoos. Some people get well with this only.

Coal tar and salicylic creams and ointments have been used for long. They may be in combination with other medications including corticosteroids.

Light therapy or phototherapy involves using specialized UV light sources or short episodes of exposure to sunlight.

Oral and injectable drugs are used where phototherapy and topical applications have failed.

Commonly used drugs include:

  • Derivatives of vitamin A
  • Cyclosporine and methotrexate
  • Biologics that modulate the affected aspect of the immunity system
  • Thioguanine and Hydroxyurea are used where other drugs cannot be used
  • Newer experimental drugs include A3 adenosine agonist receptors and anti-interleukin-17

 

Conclusion

Psoriasis can be a distressing condition but with current medical interventions, a patient can lead a fairly normal life.

For some, the disease can go into complete remission never to occur again.


Researches and references

“https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoriasis

“http://www.healthofchildren.com/P/Psoriasis.html

“http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/psoriasis-topic-overview

“http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/psoriasis

“http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Psoriasis/psoriasis_ff.asp


 

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