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Psoriasis Details

Psoriasis

Understand The - Symptoms, Causes, Tests & Treatment

As underlying cells reach the skin's surface and die, their sheer volume causes raised, red plaques covered with white scales. Psoriasis typically occurs on the knees, elbows, and scalp, and it can also affect the torso, palms, and soles of the feet.

The symptoms of psoriasis vary depending on the type you have. Some common symptoms for plaque psoriasis --

The most common variety of the condition -- include:

Plaques of red skin, often covered with loose, silver-colored scales; these lesions may be itchy and painful, and they sometimes crack and bleed. In severe cases, the plaques of irritated skin will grow and merge into one another, covering large areas.
Disorders of the fingernails and toenails, including discoloration and pitting of the nails; the nails may also begin to crumble or detach from the nail bed.
Plaques of scales or crust on the scalp

Psoriasis can also be associated with psoriatic arthritis, which leads to pain and swelling in the joints. The National Psoriasis Foundation estimates that between 10% to 30% of people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.

Causes :

The cause of psoriasis isn't fully understood, but it's thought to be related to an immune system problem with T cells and other white blood cells, called neutrophils, in your body.

T cells in human immune system travels through the body to defend against foreign particles such as bacteria and viruses. But in case of psoriasis disease the cells fail to identify its own cells and attack the healthy cells as if to fight against infection. T cells also triggers the production of healthy skin cells and other white blood cells especially neutrophils travels into the skin causing redness to the skin and sometimes stimulation of pus.

Study and research on psoriasis the scientists says the cause of disease is not identifies but the researchers believe both genetic and environmental factors are responsible.

Different Types Of Psoriasis

Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the disease and appears as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells or scale. These patches or plaques most often appear on the scalp, knees, elbows and lower back. They are often itchy and painful, and they can crack and bleed.

Symptoms :

you develop a rash that doesn't go away with an over-the-counter medication, you should consider contacting your doctor. Your doctor will look for raised, red scales with well-defined edges, and will consider how the rash responds to medication before making a diagnosis. Plaque psoriasis is most often found on the outside of knees and elbows, the scalp, the lower back, the face, the palms and soles of feet. When biopsied, psoriasis skin looks thicker and inflamed when compared with eczema.

Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate [GUH-tate] psoriasis is a form of psoriasis that often starts in childhood or young adulthood. This is the second most common type of psoriasis, after plaque psoriasis. About 10 percent of people who get psoriasis develop guttate psoriasis.

Symptoms :

This form of psoriasis appears as small, red, separate spots on the skin. Guttate lesions usually appear on the trunk and limbs and can number in the hundreds. Sometimes lesions form on the scalp, face and ears. They usually are not as thick as the lesions that characterize plaque psoriasis. This form can precede or co-exist with other forms of psoriasis, such as plaque.

Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular psoriasis is more common in adults. It causes white, pus-filled blisters and broad areas of red, inflamed skin. Pustular psoriasis is typically localized to smaller areas of the body, such as the hands or feet, but it can be widespread. Pustular psoriasis can happen in conjunction with other forms of psoriasis, such as plaque psoriasis.

Symptoms :

Pustular psoriasis is primarily seen in adults. It may be limited to certain areas of the body — for example, the hands and feet. Generalized pustular psoriasis also can cover most of the body. It tends to go in a cycle with reddening of the skin followed by pustules and scaling.

Inverse Psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis (also known as intertriginous psoriasis) shows up as very red lesions in body folds. It may appear smooth and shiny. Many people have another type of psoriasis elsewhere on the body at the same time.

Symptoms :

Inverse psoriasis is found in the armpits, groin, under the breasts and in other skin folds on the body.It is particularly subject to irritation from rubbing and sweating because of its location in skin folds and tender areas. It usually lacks the scale associated with plaque psoriasis due to the moist environment. It is more common in overweight people and people with deep skin folds.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is a severe and very rare type of psoriasis. This form often covers large sections of the body at once. The skin almost appears sunburned. Scales that develop often slough off in large sections or sheets. It’s not uncommon for a person with this type of psoriasis to run a fever or become very ill. Individuals having an erythrodermic psoriasis flare should see a doctor immediately. This form of psoriasis can be life-threatening.

Symptoms :

Severe redness and shedding of skin over a large area of the body

Exfoliation often occurs in large "sheets" instead of smaller scales

Skin looks as if it has been burned

Heart rate increases

Severe itching and pain

Body temperature goes up and down, especially on very hot or cold days

Diagnosing Psoriasis

Two tests or examinations may be necessary to diagnose psoriasis.

Physical Examination

Most doctors are able to make a diagnosis with a simple physical exam. Symptoms of psoriasis are typically evident and easy to distinguish from other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

During this exam, be sure to show your doctor all areas of concern. In addition, let your doctor know if any family members have the condition.

Biopsy

If the symptoms are unclear or if your doctor wants to confirm their suspected diagnosis, they may take a small sample of skin. This is known as a biopsy.

The skin will be sent to a lab, where it’ll be examined under a microscope. The examination can diagnose the type of psoriasis you have. It can also rule out other possible disorders or infections.

How Severe Is Your Psoriasis ?

Psoriasis can be mild, moderate or severe. Your treatment options may depend on how severe your psoriasis is. Severity is based on how much of your body is affected by psoriasis. The entire hand (the palm, fingers and thumb) is equal to about 1 percent of your body surface area.

However, the severity of psoriasis is also measured by how psoriasis affects a person's quality of life. For example, psoriasis can have a serious impact on one's daily activities even if it involves a small area, such as the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.

Mild Psoriasis

Topical treatments, such as moisturizers, over-the-counter and prescriptions creams and shampoos, typically are used for mild psoriasis & Your doctor may also prescribe systemic medications.

Moderate Psoriasis

Mderate psoriasis usually involves a combination of treatment strategies. Besides topical treatments, doctor may prescribe phototherapy may also prescribe systemic medications, including biologic drugs, especially if your psoriasis is significantly impacting your life.

Severe Psoriasis

Severe psoriasis usually involves a combination of treatment strategies. Besides topical treatments, doctor may prescribe phototherapy may also prescribe systemic medications, including biologic drugs, especially if your psoriasis is significantly impacting your life.

Treatment options for psoriasis

Psoriasis has no cure. Treatments aim to reduce inflammation and scales, slow the growth of skin cells, and remove plaques. Psoriasis treatments fall into three categories:

Contact For Treatment

Topical treatments

Creams and ointments applied directly to the skin can be helpful for reducing mild to moderate psoriasis.

Topical psoriasis treatments include:

Topical corticosteroids
Topical retinoids
Anthralin
Vitamin D analogues
Salicylic acid
Moisturizer

Systemic Medications

People with moderate to severe psoriasis, and those who haven’t responded well to other treatment types, may need to use oral or injected medications. Many of these medications have severe side effects. Doctors usually prescribe them for short periods of time.

These medications include:

Methotrexate
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune)
Biologics
Retinoids

Light Therapy

This psoriasis treatment uses ultraviolet (UV) or natural light. Sunlight kills the overactive white blood cells that are attacking healthy skin cells and causing the rapid cell growth. Both UVA and UVB light may be helpful in reducing symptoms of mild to moderate psoriasis.

Most people with moderate to severe psoriasis will benefit from a combination of treatments. This type of therapy uses more than one of the treatment types to reduce symptoms. Some people may use the same treatment their entire lives. Others may need to change treatments occasionally if their skin stops responding to what they’re using.

Diet recommendations for people with psoriasis

Food can’t cure or even treat psoriasis, but eating better might reduce your symptoms. These five lifestyle changes may help ease symptoms of psoriasis and reduce flare-ups:

Lose weight

If you’re overweight, losing weight may reduce the condition’s severity. It may also make treatments more effective. It’s unclear how weight interacts with psoriasis, so even if your symptoms remain unchanged, losing weight is still good for your overall health.

Eat a heart-healthy diet

Reduce your intake of saturated fats. These are found in animal products like meats and dairy. Increase your intake of lean proteins that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, sardines, and shrimp. Plant sources of omega-3s include walnuts, flax seeds, and soybeans.

Consider taking vitamins

Some doctors prefer a vitamin-rich diet to vitamins in pill form. However, even the healthiest eater may need help getting adequate nutrients. Ask your doctor if you should be taking any vitamins as a supplement to your diet & try to getting adequate nutrients

Avoid trigger foods

Psoriasis causes inflammation. Certain foods cause inflammation, too. Avoiding those foods might improve symptoms. These foods include:red meat, refined sugar, processed foods, dairy products etc.

Drink less alcohol

Alcohol consumption can increase your risks of a flare-up. Cut back or quit entirely. If you have a problem with your alcohol use, your doctor can help you form a treatment plan.

Foods that may reduce inflammation include:

fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, seeds, such as flax seeds and pumpkin seeds, nuts, especially walnuts and almonds, green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale. So these food are must be a healthy side

Psoriasis Triggers to Avoid

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