Psoriasis: Causes and Treatments

Psoriasis is a skin ailment that you've undoubtedly heard of, but you might not know what it is for real. Is it just a case of genuinely dry skin? Is it possible that you have an autoimmune disease? What are the symptoms and signs?

Find out what the experts have to say about this skin condition, also the most recent research into what puts you at a higher risk of developing it. Is genetics a factor? What about the elements of nature? Is it feasible to retain too much sun? How do you know if you have Psoriasis or Eczema?

Get answers to your concerns and learn more about a psoriasis, such as diagnosis and how to treat it.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a skin condition that manifests as an itchy, scaly rash on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp.

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-term) infection that has no antidote. It can be uncomfortable, disrupt sleep, and make it difficult to concentrate. The illness tends to cycle, with flare-ups lasting a few weeks or months and then diminishing. Infections, scrapes or burns, and certain drugs are common triggers in persons with a hereditary susceptibility to psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an immune disorder (a disease of unknown origin characterized by inflammation caused by a malfunction of the immune system) that causes inflammation in the body. There may be signs of inflammation, such as plaque ridges (plaques may look different depending on the type of skin) and skin scales.

This happens because the excess immune system accelerates the growth of skin cells. Normal skin cells grow fully and fall within a month. In psoriasis, skin cells do this in just 3-4 days. Instead of shedding, skin cells are deposited on the surface of the skin. Some people report psoriatic plaques as itching, burns, and stinging. Plaque and dandruff can appear on any part of the body but are generally develop on the elbows, knees, and scalp.

The inflammation caused by Psoriasis can affect other organs and tissues in the body. People with psoriasis may also have other health problems. Psoriatic arthritis affects one out of every three people who have psoriasis. Swelling, stiffness, and discomfort in the joints and surrounding areas are all symptoms of PSA. PSA is frequently misdiagnosed, especially in its milder variants. However, it's critical to treat PSA as soon as possible to avoid long-term joint damage.

Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 15 and 25, although they can appear at any age. Psoriasis can affect men, women, and children of all skin hues.

What are the symptoms of Psoriasis?

Common signs and symptoms of Psoriasis include:

The patchy rash on part of the body, which can also differ from one individual to another, from dandruff-like flaky patches to large rashes over large areas of the body.

Rash of different colors tends to turn purple with gray scales on brown or black skin and pink or red with silvery scales on white skin for a few weeks or months and then go away.

What are the types of Psoriasis?

There are some types of the disease psoriasis, each with different signs and symptoms:

Plaque Psoriasis-

The most common type of Psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, causes dry, itchy, raised patches (plaques) covered with scabs. They may be less or more. They usually emerge on the elbows, knees, descending back, and scalp. The patches come in a variety of colors, depending on skin tone. The affected skin may heal with a temporary color change (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), especially on brown or black skin.

Psoriasis of the nails-

Psoriasis can impact fingernails and toenails, inducing pitting, irregular nail growth, and discoloration. Psoriatic nails can loosen and separate from the nail bed (onychomycosis). A serious illness can cause a nail to break.

Intestinal Psoriasis-

Intestinal Psoriasis mainly affects adults and children. It is often triggered by a bacterial infection such as strep throat. It is marked by small, teardrop-shaped patches of scales on the trunk, arms, or legs.

Inverse Psoriasis-

Skin folds of the groin, buttocks, and breast are most commonly affected by inverse psoriasis. During friction and sweating, it worsens and leaves smooth patches of inflamed skin. This type of psoriasis can be caused by fungal infections.

Pustular Psoriasis-

This rare type of psoriasis causes pus-filled blisters that are delineated. It can occur in broad patches or on small areas of the palms or soles.

Skin Psoriasis-

The less common type of psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, can cause a generalized rash that can itch or burn intensely. The problem can be temporary (acute) or permanent (chronic).

What are the treatments for Psoriasis?

Psoriasis treatments aim to stop skin cells from growing too quickly and remove the scales. There can be several treatments available, including creams and ointments (topical therapy), light therapy (phototherapy), and oral or injectable medications.

The treatments you use- depend on the severity of your psoriasis infection and its response to previous treatments and self-care measures. You may need to try different medications or a combination of treatments before finding one that works. Even with successful treatment, the disease often comes back.

A word from the team—

A person living with Psoriasis infection may find it challenging to cope, especially when the affected skin is visible to others or covers a large area of their body. This is often uncomfortable and embarrassing. As a result of the disease's ongoing nature and the challenges that it poses for treatment, the burden is only added.

If you seek any help or assistance with this condition, then get in touch with Corrielus Cardiology right away!

At Corrielus Cardiology, the team values the strong correlation between heart health and overall wellness. The practice aims to educate the community on how good lifestyle choices and routines can ultimately help prevent emergency room visits, save money, and build stronger, healthier families.