Psoriasis is chronic, non-infectious, inflammatory auto-immune disease. Psoriasis is fundamentally a defective inflammatory response.
In layman’s language, it speeds up the formation of skin cells, leading to formation of rapid cells over skin which are red, itchy or sometimes painful. So, basically we have to stop skin cells from growing so rapidly.
It affects nearly 3% of world’s total population.
Symptoms and signs :
Psoriasis signs and indications are diverse for everybody. Basic signs and manifestations include:
- Red patches of skin secured with thick, gleaming scales
- Little scaling spots (usually found in kids)
- Dry, broke skin that may bleed
- Tingling, burning or soreness
- Thickened, hollowed or furrowed nails
- Swollen and hardened joints
Types of Psoriasis –
- Plague psoriasis – It is the commonest form of psoriasis. It causes dry, raised, red skin lesions covered with silvery scales. It itches and are sometimes painful. It can occur anywhere on the body including soft tissues inside the mouth.
- Scalp psoriasis – It appears as red, itchy with silver white scales on scalp.
- Guttate psoriasis – This sort basically influences youthful grown-ups and youngsters. It’s typically activated by a bacterial contamination, for example, strep throat. It’s set apart by little, water-drop-molded, scaling injuries on your trunk, arms, legs and scalp. The lesions are covered by a fine scale and aren’t as thick as typical plaques are.
- Inverse psoriasis – This basically influences the skin in the armpits, in the crotch, under the bosoms and around the private parts. It causes smooth patches of red, excited skin that decline with contact and perspiring. Fungal diseases may trigger this kind of psoriasis.
- Nail psoriasis – It affects fingernails, toenails, causing pitting, abnormal nail growth and discoloration. In severe cases, nails are crumbled.
- Pustular psoriasis – As the name suggests, this type of psoriasis develops quickly, with pus-filled blisters appearing just hours after your skin becomes red and tender. The blisters may come and go frequently. Generalized pustular psoriasis can also cause fever, chills, severe itching and diarrhea.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis – The least common type of psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis can cover your entire body with a red, peeling rash that can itch or burn intensely.
Psoriasis contagious
Psoriasis isn’t contagious. You can’t pass the skin condition from one person to another. Touching a psoriatic lesion on another person won’t cause you to develop the condition.
Causes psoriasis
Doctors are unclear as to what causes psoriasis. However, thanks to decades of research, they have a general idea of two key factors: genetics and the immune system.
Immune system
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition. Autoimmune conditions are the result of the body attacking itself. In the case of psoriasis, white blood cells known as T cells mistakenly attack the skin cells.
In a typical body, white blood cells are deployed to attack and destroy invading bacteria and fight infections. This mistaken attack causes the skin cell production process to go into overdrive. The sped-up skin cell production causes new skin cells to develop too quickly. They are pushed to the skin’s surface, where they pile up.
This results in the plaques that are most commonly associated with psoriasis. The attacks on the skin cells also cause red, inflamed areas of skin to develop.
Genetics
Some people inherit genes that make them more likely to develop psoriasis. If you have an immediate family member with the skin condition, your risk for developing psoriasis is higher. However, the percentage of people who have psoriasis and a genetic predisposition is small. Approximately 2 to 3 percent of people with the gene develop the condition, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF).
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.
Most biopsies are done in your doctor’s office the day of your appointment. Your doctor will likely inject a local numbing medication to make the biopsy less painful. They will then send the biopsy to a lab for analysis.
When the results return, your doctor may request an appointment to discuss the findings and treatment options with you.
Factors that may trigger psoriasis –
The etiology of psoriasis is still not known, though it is thought to be related to an immune system problem. Normally, T-cell fight off foreign substances (virus or bacteria), however, in psoriasis, the T-cells attacks healthy skin. Certain trigger factors are noticed such as –
- Infections (streptococcal throat)
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Stress
- Certain medications (anti-malarial drugs, lithium based drugs)
Complications –
Several other diseases have been associated with psoriasis including diabetes, arthritis and heart related diseases.
- Type 2 diabetes -The danger of type 2 diabetes ascends in individuals with psoriasis. The more serious the psoriasis, the more prominent the probability of type 2 diabetes.
- Psoriatic arthritis – This complication of psoriasis can cause joint harm and lost capacity in certain joints, which can be incapacitating.
- High blood pressure – The chances of having hypertension are higher for individuals with psoriasis.
- Cardiovascular disease -For individuals with psoriasis, the danger of cardiovascular infection is twice as high all things considered for those without the ailment.
- Eye disorders – Certain eye disorders , such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis and uveitis are commonly seen in people with psoriasis.
- Metabolic disorder – It includes high elevated insulin levels, abnormal cholesterol levels
- Obesity – It can cause rapid weight gain too.
- Autoimmune diseases – Celiac disease, sclerosis and the inflammatory bowel disease called Crohn’s disease are bound to happen in individuals with psoriasis.
- Kidney disease – Moderate to severe psoriasis has been has been connected to a higher danger of kidney illness.
- Emotional – Psoriasis is related with low confidence and depression. You may likewise pull back socially.
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:
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.
Medication for psoriasis
If you have moderate to severe psoriasis — or if psoriasis stops responding to other treatments — your doctor may consider an oral or injected medication.
The most common oral and injected medications used to treat psoriasis include:
Biologics
This class of medications alters your immune system and prevents interactions between your immune system and inflammatory pathways. These medications are injected or given through intravenous (IV) infusion.
Retinoids
Retinoids reduce skin cell production. Once you stop using them, symptoms of psoriasis will likely return. Side effects include hair loss and lip inflammation.
People who are pregnant or may become pregnant within the next three years shouldn’t take retinoids because of the risk of possible birth defects.
Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune) prevents the immune system’s response. This can ease symptoms of psoriasis. It also means you have a weakened immune system, so you may become sick more easily. Side effects include kidney problems and high blood pressure.
Methotrexate
Like cyclosporine, methotrexate suppresses the immune system. It may cause fewer side effects when used in low doses. It can cause serious side effects in the long term. Serious side effects include liver damage and reduced production of red and white blood cells.
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