Overview
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that can impose mild to severe numerous effects on epidermis and dermis layer of the skin. People who are suffering from this disease may appear some clear manifestations of the skin, such as, formation of the skin plaques and scales, inflammation of the skin, swelling and paining of the body joints and so on.
Actually, Psoriasis happens due to the abnormal skin cell growth. During Psoriasis, our body immune system works so fast to replace the skin cells within 3 to 4 days rather than normal system (one month) due to the contribution of some environmental factors, Genetic factors and some other disease conditions (diabetes, heart disease, stress, depression). That is why, skin cells become inflamed and swelled on the skin surfaces of the different parts of the body, especially knees, elbows, ears, neck, hands, feet, nails, different skin folds, scalp, genital etc., and eventually lead to develop psoriasis .
However, the most important thing is that, Psoriasis is not a contagious disease, and if anyone comes to direct contact of the affected person, there have no chance to spread out this disease among others.
How many types of psoriasis have?
There are total five types of psoriasis found that mentioned below -
- Plaque Psoriasis: This is the most common type of psoriasis among the other types which normally develops some body parts, most importantly, scalp, lower back, knees, elbows, neck etc. According to the report, about 80 to 90 percent among the total psoriasis patients have been affected by plaque psoriasis which usually manifests as whitish-silver scales or plaques encompass by the red or purple or grayish or darker brown color patches, though, these manifestations vary on person to person. However, These patches cause severe paining, itching and inflammation of the plaques or scales area.
- Guttate Psoriasis: According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, this type of psoriasis appears about 8 percent of individual with some clear signs - small, round, red/pink/violet or discolored thick spots caused by the inflammation on the different body parts, especially legs, arms, and torso area which is commonly noticed among the patients to face in childhood.
- Pustular Psoriasis: According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, it affects about 3 percent of people who are suffering from psoriasis, and adults are more prone to appear this psoriasis. The signs and symptoms look like pustules (white, pus-filled, painful blisters/bumps) that encompass by reddened or discolored or inflamed skin and mostly observe on hands, feet, though, it can be appeared any part of the body.
- Inverse Psoriasis: According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, it affects about 25 percent of people who are suffering from psoriasis and mostly affects folded skin area, for examples, under breasts, armpits, buttocks, groin area, genital area. It appears as plain skin with inflamed deep-red or dark color. It causes severe itching and pain which can be minimized by keeping the area clean and dry at all times.
- Erythrodermic Psoriasis: This is actually rare but severe and life-threatening type of psoriasis which affects about two percent of the patients among the total psoriasis affected people. It appears as a large sheet shedding from the affected skin. It shows some manifestations include severe pain and itching, nail changes, shortage of electrolytes and minerals in the body, fluctuate the heart rate and body temperature.
What are the common symptoms of Psoriasis?
The appearance of the signs and symptoms may vary from person to person, sometimes, it lasts for very short times and disappears, whereas, it outbreaks for long times and need dermatologists recommendation to prevent or cure from this disease. The symptoms may differ from psoriasis type to type. The below are given some common signs and symptoms of Psoriasis -
- whitish-silver scales or plaques encompass by the red or purple or grayish or darker brown color patches
- white, pus-filled, painful blisters/bumps
- Dryness, cracking, flaking, bleeding of the affected area
- Severe Joint pain and Swelling of the joint area
- Burning, irritation and itching of the patches area
- Small, round, red/pink/violet or discolored thick spots that causing inflammation and pain
- Nail discoloration look like pitted and thick nails
What are the main causes and triggers to develop Psoriasis?
Basically, there has no clear evidence to justify as a real culprit to develop psoriasis, but experts suggest that psoriasis may be the reason for genetic as well as overactive autoimmune system of our body. Some other factors may be worked as a trigger to worse the psoriasis -
- Stress: Due to the leading of stressful life for long times may aid to flare-up the psoriasis, stated by the scientific research team.
- Too much hot or cold weather: To make the psoriasis condition more severe, too much cold or hot weather act as a trigger to outbreak the psoriasis.
- Infections: In case of the some infections, such as, tonsilitis, oral candidiasis, HIV/AIDS body immune system response wrongly and there have a great chances to develop psoriasis.
- Medications: Some medications to treat other health issues may contribute to grow psoriasis, for examples, medicines for treating high blood pressure, malaria or mania (lithium). In contrast, suddenly stop the steroidal treatments may also cause to flare up of the skin.
- Alcohol consumption and smoking: Too much drinking alcohol as well as smoking or tobacco consumption are considered as one of the main trigger to build up flare up of psoriasis.
- Some other possible triggers also play important role to develop psoriasis, for instances, certain foods and nutrients, any kinds of skin injuries or insect bites or scratches, reduction of the hormonal levels, over weight or obesity, direct sunlight exposure for long time (sunburn).
How to diagnose Psoriasis?
Dermatologists or the healthcare experts are initially check the symptoms or skin conditions physically as they are well-trained as well as very familiar about the signs and symptoms of psoriasis. Sometimes, they can recommend to take the sample from the affected skin which is known as skin biopsy.
What are the best treatments for Psoriasis?
Based on the psoriasis states and some other disease conditions, doctors will select and recommend the best preparations to treat this skin condition. There are a plethora of ways to treat psoriasis by reducing the inflammation and growth of the overactive skin cells. Your healthcare provider may suggest the following products -
- Steroids products (creams, ointments, lotions)
- Moisturizers to correct the skin tone in case of dry skin
- Medicated soaps, shampoos or lotions that are available in pharmacy premises
- Retinoid products either creams or pills or lotions (Vitamin A formulation)
- Vitamin D3 cream or ointment
- Methotrexate or Cyclosporine drug
- Immune therapy by applying biologics and tiny molecule inhibitors
- PUVA (Psoralen plus Ultraviolet Light A) or Light therapy
What should follow to prevent psoriasis?
Some measures are taken into account as very beneficial to prevent the psoriasis. Among these -
- Reduce stress by doing Yoga or other effective therapy
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle ( routinely perform work out, sleep at least 6 hours to 8 hours, eat balanced diet, maintain personal hygiene, limit using the modern technologies etc.)
- Avoid triggers
- Apply or take medications timely and communicate with healthcare provider on a regular basis
- Follow the doctors advice strictly