Psoriasis Symptoms is a long-lasting skin problem that causes skin cells to grow too fast. This buildup forms scales and red patches that can be itchy, painful, and sometimes crack or bleed. Psoriasis is not contagious, meaning you can’t catch it from someone else. It affects over 125 million people worldwide and can have both physical and psychological impacts on patients.
Causes
Psoriasis is primarily an immune system issue, which is your body’s defense system. Psoriasis occurs when skin cells are replaced more quickly than usual. It’s unknown exactly why this happens, but research suggests a problem with the immune system causes it. Psoriasis runs in families.
Symptoms
- Red patches of skin covered with silvery scales.
- Dry, cracked skin that may bleed.
- Itching, burning, or soreness around affected areas.
- Thickened, ridged, or pitted nails.
- Stiff and swollen joints.
What are the types of psoriasis
There are several types of psoriasis, including:
- Plaque psoriasis: Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. About 80% to 90% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis.
- Inverse psoriasis: This type appears in your skin folds. It causes thin plaques without scales.
- Guttate psoriasis: Guttate psoriasis may appear after a sore throat caused by a streptococcal infection. It looks like small, red, drop-shaped scaly spots and often affects children and young adults.
- Pustular psoriasis: Pustular psoriasis has small, pus-filled bumps on top of plaques.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis: This is a severe type of psoriasis that affects a large area of your skin. It causes widespread skin discoloration and skin shedding.
What part of the body will psoriasis affect
A psoriasis rash can show up anywhere on your skin. Psoriasis is common on your:
- Elbows and knees.
- Face and inside of your mouth.
- Fingernails and toenails.
- Lower back.
- Palms and feet.
Management and Treatment
How is psoriasis treated
Several treatment options can relieve psoriasis symptoms. Common psoriasis treatments include:
- Steroid creams.
- Moisturizer for dry skin.
- Medication to slow skin cell production.
- Medication lotions or shampoos.
- Vitamin D3 ointment.
- Vitamin A or retinoid creams.
Are there any complications of psoriasis?
Yes, psoriasis can lead to several complications, some of which are directly related to the skin condition, while others are systemic and affect overall health. Here are the names of potential applications:
- Kidney Disease
- Skin Infections
- Cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Eye Infections
Prevention
How can I prevent psoriasis?
There isn’t a way to entirely prevent psoriasis because it has a strong genetic component. You can reduce your risk by following your healthcare provider’s treatment, living a healthy lifestyle, taking good care of your skin, and avoiding triggers that can cause symptoms. There are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of triggering or worsening flare-ups:
Manage Stress
Stress is a common trigger for psoriasis flare-ups. Practicing relaxing techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or mindfulness can help manage stress and reduce flare-ups.
Avoid Skin Trauma
Injury to the skin can trigger psoriasis, a phenomenon called the Koebner effect. Be gentle with your skin and take precautions to avoid trauma.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of psoriasis flare-ups. Reducing or avoiding alcohol may help.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking is a significant risk factor for developing psoriasis and worsening symptoms. Quitting smoking can help reduce flare-ups.
Protect Your Immune System
Since psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, maintaining a healthy immune system is essential. Avoid infections, get regular vaccinations, and manage other health conditions that could compromise your immune system.
Psoriasis Risk Factors
Genes:
- When you have psoriasis, the genes that control your immune system’s signals get mixed up.
- Instead of protecting your body from invaders, as it’s meant to do, it promotes inflammation and causes skin cells to multiply fast.
- About 10 in every 100 people have genes that make them more likely to get psoriasis.
Immune System Issues:
- Psoriasis is considered an autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, causing inflammation and rapid cell production.
Weather:
- Cold, dry weather tends to aggravate psoriasis symptoms, while sunlight may help improve the condition in some individuals.
Injury to the skin:
- Known as the Koebner phenomenon, any skin injury, including cuts, sunburns, or vaccination, can trigger the appearance of psoriasis lesions.
When to see doctors?
If you suspect that you may have psoriasis, see your healthcare provider. Also, seek medical care if your condition
- Becomes severe or widespread
- Causes you discomfort and pain
- Causes you concern about the appearance of your skin
- Doesn’t improve with treatment
Regular check-ins with a doctor are also essential if you have moderate to severe psoriasis, as ongoing treatment may be necessary to control the condition and prevent flare-ups.
What Can I DO
Although there is no cure, there are more effective psoriasis treatments today than ever. Treating psoriasis can help improve symptoms and lower the risk of developing comorbidities such as arthritis, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and depression.
Psoriasis Coverage And Severity
This is why it’s so important to treat psoriasis. If you treat your psoriasis successfully, not only will it alleviate the symptoms on your skin but it can also help cure inflammation in other parts of the body that otherwise could lead to further diseases. Commonly referred to as comorbidities, these other illnesses are important in all aspects of health.
Comorbidity is a disease or condition that comes on top of other illnesses (es) that the person already has, such as illnesses related to psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular (heart) disease), metabolic syndrome, and mental health are very common comorbid conditions for psoriasis.
Diagnosing Psoriasis
- Two tests or examinations may be necessary to diagnose psoriasis.
Physical examination
For this reason, many cases can be diagnosed from a physical exam alone by a physician. This is because the symptoms of psoriasis are clear and distinguishable from related diseases that we might mix with at any time. Show Every Problem Area to Your Doctor During This Exam Also inform your doctor if you have a family history of the disease.
Biopsy
If for example your symptoms are ambiguous or your doctor wishes to substantiate his suspicion they may take a small sample of the skin. This is known as a biopsy. Biopsies can be performed in your doctor’s office on the same day as your appointment. To make the biopsy less painful, your doctor will probably inject a local numbing medication. Rosacea The doctor will then take the skin biopsy to a lab where it can be looked at under a microscope. This test can help to determine the type of psoriasis that you have. In turn, this can help rule out any other potential disorders or infections.
Psoriasis Statistics
Psoriasis affects about 7.5 million trusted Source people ages 20 and older in the United States. Although Psoriasis can start at any age, it is most diagnosed during adulthood. BEGIN TYPICAL AGE OF ONSET 15–35 years old. According to Dermnet NZ, the risk of developing psoriasis increases at ages between 16–22 and then once again around 50-60 years. This is the age when psoriasis most frequently appears. According to Dermnet NZ, the risk of developing psoriasis increases at ages between 16–22 and then once again around 50-60 years. This is the age when psoriasis most frequently appears.
- The National Psoriasis Foundation says you’re at higher risk of developing the disease if psoriasis runs in your family.
- But many people with the disease have none of it in their families.
- Not all of these individuals will go on to develop psoriasis.
- Psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed in about one-third of individuals with psoriasis.
- Psoriasis is also associated with an increased possibility of acquiring other conditions, including:
Kidney disease
Heart disease
While not comprehensive, certain psoriasis statistics imply that diagnoses of the condition are on the rise. However, whether that is because more people are experiencing the skin condition or doctors are becoming better at diagnosing it remains unclear.
What are the triggers of psoriasis
Psoriasis triggers can vary from person to person, but common triggers include stress, infections, cold weather, certain medications, and skin injuries.
Is There a Cure for Psoriasis
Currently, there is no known cure for psoriasis, but various treatments can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for those affected.
What psoriasis appears like
The most common form, plaque, produces raised patches of thickened skin covered with silvery scales. The color of the plaques may also vary from red to coral-red or even purplish, depending on your skin tone. The scales are white, silvery or gray.
Does psoriasis go away
- While treatment can decrease your symptoms, psoriasis is a lifelong condition for which there is no cure.
How Long Do Psoriasis Flare-ups Last
These episodes may continue for a few weeks or even a month. The sooner you are treated, the quicker your recovery. This is the place where you have fewer or no symptoms of psoriasis so it’s into remission. Your symptoms will remain controlled, and the disease can still last anywhere from a few months to several years in remission.
