Pocket Guide for Understanding the Skin Disease Knows as Psoriasis

Author: Mayra Singh

When we talk about diseases that can develop due to autoimmune disorder the first thing that comes in mind is psoriasis. As you may know, psoriasis is a skin disease that happens due to some abnormality in the immune system. In this condition, white and silvery flakes of skin tissues start to deposit on different parts of the body. It happens because the abnormal immune system starts to produce an excessive amount of skin cells. These new skin cells begin to replace the old ones prematurely that causes them to form patches. Psoriasis can be painful, and due to the dryness created by the patches, it can be quite discomforting and irritating.

General Symptoms of PsoriasisIn many cases, scalp psoriasis is mistaken with dandruff, that is why it is important to understand its symptoms for proper psoriasis treatment.

Psoriasis can cause scaly white patches, and these patches can turn red with time.

You can feel itchiness and inflammation around the affected area.

In the case of nail psoriasis, your nails with getting thickened and abnormal.

Different Types of Psoriasis

  • 1. Plaque Psoriasis

It is a common type of psoriasis that can cause skin dryness because of which red scaly patches can appear. These patches can be painful and irritating.

  • 2. Guttate Psoriasis

In this condition, small patches of scaly skin start to appear on legs, arms, and scalp. Guttate psoriasis can be developed because of a bacterial infection, and it can affect children and teenagers.

  • 3. Nail Psoriasis

Unlike another psoriasis, this condition develops in fingernails and toenails. In this condition, the nail becomes thick, discolored, abnormal, and weak. In severe cases, that nail can get detached from the nail bed.

  • 4. Erythrodermic Psoriasis

It is a rare type of psoriasis in which the whole body gets covered in scaly white patches. Erythrodermic psoriasis can be very painful with continuous inflammation.

  • 5. Pustular Psoriasis

It is also a rare type of psoriasis that can affect hands, feet, fingertips, and nails. The skin patches in pustular psoriasis can be big or small.

Different Causes and Risks Associated with Psoriasis

  • 1. Psoriasis Due to Viral and Bacterial Infections

Abnormality of the immune system can cause different types of bacterial and viral infections, and some of those infections can cause psoriasis. Children and people with HIV have a high risk of psoriasis.

  • 2. Psoriasis Due to Stress

Physical and mental stress can cause abnormality in the immune system, and this can ultimately cause psoriasis.

  • 3. Psoriasis Due to Smoking

Smoking can cause various disorders inside the body, and it can also clog the skin pores. It can trigger the immune system and cause psoriasis.

  • 4. Psoriasis Due to Obesity

Obesity can cause various problems, and one of them is psoriasis. The work capacity of the immune system of an obese person is less. It makes it easy to develop psoriasis.

  • 5. Psoriasis Due to Family History

Psoriasis is a genetic disease, that means it can pass down to the next generation. It is a very common way of how psoriasis develops.

Treatments Available for Psoriasis

There are many clinical dermatology treatments available that can treat psoriasis. They are categorized as topical medication that includes vitamin D analogs and anthralin. Biological treatment that uses living cells to treat the affected area. And phototherapy treatment that uses UV light for the treatment.

Conclusion

Psoriasis is a skin disease that can develop due to immune system failure. It causes skin cells to develop rapidly, which results in the formation of scaly skin patches. But with proper treatment, it can be treated quite easily.