What is Psoriasis ?

Psoriasis is one of a skin disease that may occur throughout our life. It has been estimated that in United States, nearly 4.5 Million people are suffering from psoriasis. Psoriasis is considered to be a non-contiguous disease. Psoriasis is a type of skin inflammation. Majority of the people are reported to have plaque psoriasis that uses red patches covered with white colour dead cells called scales. Plaque psoriasis occurs in elbows, scalp, lower back and on knees. Many people are reported to have psoriatic arthritis. This causes severe pain, stiffness and selling in the joints.

There are different types of psoriasis. Most commonly five types of psoriasis affects people. Each type has a different characteristic and effects are also considered to be little different from each other. These psoriasis types also differ in signs and symptoms.

Irrespective of the type of psoriasis, it is a disease that is very troublesome to a person. The skin will start itching continuously, sometimes skin may get cracked that leads to bleeding. Such severity of psoriasis may make a person to be awake the whole night thereby causing depression. The pain caused by psoriasis complicates everyday life. Psoriasis is a disease that continues throughout our life, there is no permanent remedy for this disease. There are several types of treatments available for treating psoriasis. The treatment effects and results vary with the type of psoriasis.

 


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Occurrence of psoriasis
It has been estimated that about 4.5 Million persons are suffering from psoriasis in United States and many cases worldwide. Psoriasis occurs in both males and females. This disease is very common in Africa, America, Scandinavia and Europe. Psoriasis is also considered to be a genetic disease that occurs by heredity. There is no age limit, Psoriasis can occur in any age especially before 40. Some people will have psoriasis during childhood and there are possibilities where psoriasis can occur during infancy. According to a survey, the disease Psoriatic arthritis is common among nearly 1 Million people across United States and among those affected people about 5% to 10% patients are reported to have physical disability. Psoriatic arthritis occurs in the ages of 30 to 50. Psoriatic arthritis is not more related to skin problems since about 30% of people affected with psoriatic arthritis have not developed any skin problems.
 

Causes for psoriasis
Psoriasis is considered to be the disease that is found to have existed from the old ages (35 AD). Psoriasis can also be caused by immune related conditions. In some cases, psoriasis is found to occur when there are problems in immunity. In such cases, immunosuppresents are used for the treatment of psoriasis. There are possibilities for the occurrence of psoriasis due to genetic conditions and psoriasis may occur with heredity also.

Psoriasis treatments
There is no permanent treatment for curing psoriasis. But there are some treatments which can cure psoriasis over a prolonged time. There are different types of psoriasis. Their effects vary with the psoriasis type.

The best treatment method for psoriasis lies in analyzing the type of psoriasis, severity of the disease, location of psoriasis, patients age and corresponding medical records, effects of psoriasis physically and mentally.

There are three types of treatments available for psoriasis
• Topical treatment
• Phototherapy
• Systemic


Topical treatment: This treatment is used to treat psoriasis which has very mild and medium effects.
Phototherapy: This treatment is done with ultraviolet radiations, lights and is directly applied to the affected part. This is used for treating severe and medium psoriasis.
Systemic treatments: This treatment is concerned with injecting medicines into the body or taking medicines orally. This is used for treating medium and severe psoriasis. In addition to these treatments, Researches are being undergone for finding out the permanent solution for psoriasis.

 

Types of psoriasis
There are five different types of psoriasis. Each type has different effects, signs and symptoms.
• Plaque psoriasis
• Guttate psoriasis
• Pustular psoriasis
• Inverse psoriasis
• Erythrodermic psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis: It has been estimated that more than 80% of people are affected with plaque psoriasis. This is also referred by another name called psoriasis vulgaris. Some red patches covered with silvery white scales is one of the indication for plaque psoriasis. This disorder occurs in elbows, joints, knees, scalp, chest and lower back. The size of the plaque has different sizes and will be spread throughout a large area. Plaque psoriasis is unpredictable in its early stages. This type of psoriasis occurs in the form of red bumps and will make continuous burning and itching sensation. Plaque psoriasis also results in causing bleeding and crack in the skin.

 

Guttate Psoriasis: It has been estimated that about 10% of the people are suffering from guttate psoriasis worldwide. This type of psoriasis occurs in children and young aged adults having bacterial infections, especially streptococcal infections. This psoriasis is treated with oral medications and drug delivery systems like injecting drugs. Guttate psoriasis will appear like small red colored dots and usually occurs in arms, legs, face, ears and scalp. Large portion will be affected with this type of psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis is considered to be the sideeffect caused due to the medications given for cold, tonsillitis, chicken pox, skin injury.


Pustular Psoriasis: Almost 5% of the people are reported to have pustular psoriasis and it usually occurs in adults. This type of psoriasis occurs in less than 5% of people who develop psoriasis and primarily occurs in adults. It may be the first sign of psoriasis or develop from plaque psoriasis. Pustular psoriasis is caused by microbial infections, sunburns or medications with compositions of lithium.

There are two types of pustular psoriasis: localized and generalized.
• Localized pustular psoriasis This type of psoriasis will be located in a specific area like palms, soles. Localized pustular psoriasis is also called as palmoplantar psoriasis. Localized pustular psoriasis will appear like red colored spots filled with pus. They will be swollen and leave marks after healing. This creates itching and pain.
• Generalized pustular psoriasis This is a rare type of psoriasis occurring in adults with old age. This type of psoriasis is life threatening. This is mainly caused due to microbial infections, infections due to medications containing lithium, alteration in taking pills for pregnancy or stopping the doses of steroids suddenly. Generalized pustular psoriasis will be spread over certain area where the skin will be swollen and will be covered with small, pus filled bumps. The person affected with generalized pustular psoriasis will have more tiredness, fever, severe itching sensation, loss of appetite, Muscle weakness and anemia.

 

Inverse Psoriasis: Inverse psoriasis is very severe and is a rare disorder. This is also called as skin-fold or flexural or genital psoriasis. Red colored spots will occur in armpits, skin folds, in genital area, in between the buttocks and under the breasts. The surface of the bumps will be very smooth and soft. This type of psoriasis is very common among people with heavy weight.


Erythrodermic Psoriasis: Erythrodermic Psoriasis is also known as exfoliative psoriasis. More than 1% to 2% of the people are estimated to have Erythrodermic Psoriasis. This type of psoriasis is life threatening. This is mainly caused due to infections from micro organisms, alcoholism, intake of antimalarial drugs, suddenly stopping the consumption of medicines containing cyclosporine, methotrexate. There will be severe redness and shedding of the skin covering more portion of the body and skin will look like it is burned. This causes severe pain and itching.

Psoriasis Triggers
Psoriasis can be triggered mainly due to the following factors.
• Infections due to Candida albicans, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Staphylococcal skin infections (boils), Streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat) and Viral upper respiratory condition.
• Reaction due to certain medications like anti-malarial drugs, beta-blockers, corticosteroids, indomethacan and lithium.
• Skin injury where the skin is cut, severely burned by harmful effects of sun, boils.
• Stress worsens the state of psoriasis and will increase itching.
• Cold Weather worsens the appearance of psoriasis since the climate will be dry while hot weather may help in reducing psoriasis.
• Others including Hormones, smoking and heavy alcohol consumption may cause severity in psoriasis.

 

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Article Contributed By: Priya Ameet
 

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