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Psoriasis is a skin condition which speedens the life cycle of skin cells and causes these cells to form scales and red patches that are painful. Apart from red patches and scales, cracked skin that bleeds, itchiness, swollen joints and thickened nails are common symptoms of this ailment.
The common areas that can be affected by this condition are:
Elbows and Knees
Hands and Feet
Scalp
Nails
Even though it is feared by many, this ailment is not contagious. That is touching the skin of a person suffering from this condition won’t develop this condition in you.
Types of Psoriasis
Plaque Psoriasis
Most of the Psoriasis patients suffer from Plaque Psoriasis which is the most common type of the condition. Also called as Psoriasis Vulgaris, it leads to red inflamed skin with scales.
Guttate Psoriasis
Unlike Plaque Psoriasis, it is not thick and small pink, red spots appear on the skin. It commonly occurs in children.
Pustular Psoriasis
A rare type of Psoriasis, it usually occurs in adults which forms pus-filled bumps on the skin and is accompanied by symptoms like fever, nausea and chills.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
Yet another rare type but a serious one which gives the skin an appearance to be burned. The symptoms include itching and faster heart rate.
Nail Psoriasis
As the name suggests, this type of Psoriasis occurs in the nails and changes the color of the nail to yellow and causes pittings. It may even separate the nail from the bed.
Inverse Psoriasis
This type of psoriasis causes red and inflamed patches on the skin.
Causes of Psoriasis
Research is still underway to understand fully the causes of Psoriasis. However four major factors that researchers believe trigger Psoriasis are:
Genetics
It is believed that if you have a family member who is suffering from Psoriasis then you are at a high risk contracting the condition yourself.
Immune system
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition where our immune system attacks the healthy cells of our body. If you are suffering from this condition then chances are that you will get Psoriasis.
Drugs
Certain medications are known to trigger Psoriasis. These generally include antimalarial drugs,lithium, indomethacin and quinidine.
Stress
Another leading cause of Psoriasis is stress. It can both wake up the condition or aggravate the ailment if already present.
Treatment for Psoriasis
There is no cure for Psoriasis and hence it cannot be treated completely. However with utmost care, one can control it. Dermatologists prescribe topical medications with salicylic acid, topical retinoids, Vitamin D analogues, topical corticosteroids and anthralin along with moisturisers to Psoriasis patients.
For Psoriasis in the scalp, at Dr. Divya’s Skin and Hair Solutions, Dr Divya prescribes a Medicated shampoo with coal tar derivatives and ingredients that help remove skin scales and manage the condition. Topical steroids also help manage scalp psoriasis.
It has been observed that this skin condition is associated with other medical conditions like diabetes, cholesterol and heart diseases. Psoriasis patients are prone to emotional distress as well which may lead to depression and anxiety.
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Psoriasis is a common, genetically determined, inflammatory and hyperproliferative skin disease. It presents thick plaques with silvery scales.
5% of the patients have an affected first-degree relative. There is a 16% incidence of a sibling having Psoriasis or a single parent is affected. If both parents are affected, then the risk increases to 50%.
Psoriasis triggers are not universal. Established psoriasis triggers include:
1. Stress
Stress can cause psoriasis to wake away for the first time or aggravate existing psoriasis.
Injury to skin
Psoriasis can be seen in areas of the skin that have been injured or traumatized. This is called the Koebner phenomenon.
2. Drugs
Certain medications can trigger or exacerbate psoriasis
They are found in 25 to 50% of the patients include pitting, onycholysis, subungual hyperkeratosis, and nail deformity.
Tar preparations have been used to treat psoriasis for many years. They help in reducing scaling and slow the skin overgrowth that occurs in psoriasis. Tar preparations include bath oils, creams, ointment, and shampoos.
Vitamin D analogs help regulate the immune system in the skin and reduce the hyperproliferation of skin in psoriasis. They are not usually prescribed during pregnancy, breastfeeding and can irritate sensitive skin areas such as the face and skin folds.
Although specific abnormality is not detected but certain genes determine the inheritance. Not all patients have a family history but the clinical expression depends on the external factors.
The types can be divided into morphological or locational variants.
Psoriasis is associated with other medical and psychiatric comorbidities. Patients with Psoriasis have a higher incidence of Diabetes, cholesterol and heart disease. Emotional distress may have a further negative impact and may sometimes lead to depression.
There is no cure for psoriasis but the condition can be improved with the use of treatment. Psoriasis can relapse if treatment is stopped.
People with chronic plaque psoriasis often have lesions on the scale ranging from mild scaling to extensive plaques with thick adherent scaling. This could be difficult to treat and usually needs a lot of combination of different topical agents. Medicated shampoo which contains coal tar derivatives and ingredients to remove skin scales can be helpful to manage scalp scaling in mild psoriasis. Topical steroids are often used to manage scalp psoriasis. Vitamin D analogs are helpful.