Table of Contents
Psoriasis: Types, Symptoms, and Causes
What is Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, itchy, scaly patches, often on the knees, elbows, back, and scalp.
It’s a long-lasting disease with no cure, but treatments can help manage symptoms. Psoriasis can be painful, disrupt sleep, and make it hard to focus. It flares up and calms down in cycles, and common triggers include infections, injuries, and certain medications.
Healthy habits and coping strategies can help improve life with psoriasis.
The most common symptoms of psoriasis are
a. Panel temperatures that vary from person to person, ranging from small scaly spots to large blisters.
b. Burns vary: brownish yellowish or dark grayish skin; pinkish red or white skin with silver balance.
c. Small spots (common in children).
d. Dry, cracked skin that can cause bleeding.
e. Soreness, burning, or pain.
f. Cyclic burns that flare and then fade.
Types of Psoriasis
Plaque Psoriasis: Common, causing dry, painful patches, usually on wrists, knees, back and scalp.
Psoriasis of the Nail: Affects the nail, causing pitting, abnormal growth, and discoloration. In extreme cases, nails can be lost.
Guttate Psoriasis: Affects young adults and children, usually after infection, causing small patches that fall on the shoulders, arms, or legs
Inverse Psoriasis: Found on the skin folds (groin, buttocks, breasts), causing an oily, inflammatory rash that is severe when rubbed or perspired.
Pustular Psoriasis: Rarely, it causes pus-filled blisters on large or small areas, such as the palms or soles of the feet.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis: Not uncommon, covering the entire body with a peeling rash that may itch or burn.
When to see a doctor
See your healthcare provider if you think you have psoriasis, or if your condition:
1. Becomes severe or widespread.
2. Causes pain or discomfort.
3. Makes you worry about your skin’s appearance.
4. Doesn’t improve with treatment.
Causes
Psoriasis is believed to be caused by an immune system problem, where skin cells grow too quickly. In plaque psoriasis, this leads to dry, scaly patches.
The exact cause isn’t fully known, but it’s thought to involve the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells. Genetics and environmental factors likely play a role. Psoriasis is not contagious.
Diagnosis
Your health care provider will ask about your health and examine your skin, hair and nails. A small skin sample (biopsy) may also be taken and examined under a microscope. This helps determine the type of psoriasis and rule out other conditions.
Treatments & Medications
Psoriasis treatment work to slow down skin cell growth and remove scales. They include:
a. Topical Therapy: Creams and ointments applied directly to the skin.
b. Phototherapy: Light therapy to treat the skin.
c. Medications: Oral or injected drugs.
The choice of treatment depends on the severity of your psoriasis and how well previous treatments have worked. You might need to try different options or combinations to find what works best. Even with effective treatment, psoriasis often returns.
Related Blog: What Is Psoriasis and How to Get Rid of It
