⇉ If you don't see an answer to your question, you can contact us from our contact form. ⇇
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes swollen, inflamed, red, itchy patches of skin that are often covered in silvery scales. It tends to go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a while or going into remission.
The symptoms of psoriasis of the skin vary a lot depending on the type of psoriasis you have. Some symptoms can be very painful, while others may not concern you at all. The following are the most common psoriasis symptoms:
- Rashes or patches of red, irritated skin, often covered with loose, silver-colored scales; in extreme cases, the plaques will expand and merge, covering large areas.
- Makes you feel Itchy that might split or bleed
- Minor bleeding where the affected skin is scratched
- Discoloration and pitting of your fingernails and toenails; the nails may also begin to break or separate from the nail bed.
- Scaly plaques on the scalp. Symptoms occur most often on your knees, elbows, scalp or upper body. Other common areas are your feet, hands, nails and in skin folds (including your genital area).
No, psoriasis does not really spread. You cannot catch psoriasis from another person, there is no need to avoid people with psoriasis – Just like everyone, you can embrace, borrow each other's clothes, hold their hand, have fun together, just like everyone else!
There are 6 main types of psoriasis of the skin. It is critical to remember that no form of psoriasis is ever contagious.
- Psoriasis plaque : Plaque psoriasis affects around 80% of persons with psoriasis. It usually appears as thick, red, inflammatory areas on your elbows, knees, back, or head. Plaque psoriasis is also characterised by silvery, peeling scales.
- Inverse psoriasis : It is most common in skin folds such as your armpits, genital area, buttocks, or under your breasts. The red lesions formed by inverse psoriasis are smooth and shiny, as compared to plaque psoriasis.
- Plague psoriasis : It is characterised by white pus blisters and red skin. Pustular psoriasis can affect your entire body or just some areas, such as your hand palms or foot soles. It primarily affects adults.
- Guttate psoriasis : This is especially common in children and adolescents. It causes small pink spots to appear on your upper body, arms, and legs. The patches are frequently thinner than the thick areas seen in plaque psoriasis.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis : A severe, inflammatory form of psoriasis. Erythrodermic psoriasis causes bright red skin all over your body, with skin scales falling off in sheets.
- Palmoplantar psoriasis : Affects the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet. Palmoplantar psoriasis can result in scaly plaques, overall skin thickening, and deep, painful cracks and dryness. This might make walking and using your hands difficult.
Psoriasis does not have a specific medical test. A doctor can usually diagnose psoriasis by looking at your skin. This may sometimes include a skin biopsy under a microscope. Pitted nails can also be an indication of psoriasis.
There is no cure for psoriasis. It is a chronic condition that frequently necessitates lifetime treatment. It may appear and disappear during your life. Treatment can relieve the symptoms, allowing you to look and feel your best. Treatments and medicine prescribed by the doctor can relieve the symptoms.
Psoriasis can range from mild (covering less than 3% of your skin) to severe (covering 10 percent or more). This can alter over time: your psoriasis may be worse at times, and better at others. There may even be times when your psoriasis entirely disappears. It can then flare up again due to extrinsic circumstances likes smoking, drinking alcohol, certain foods, stress, and being exposed to cold temperatures are some of the examples. However, it may vary person to person. Making small modifications to your lifestyle can help you manage your psoriasis.
Researchers are still unsure about the exact cause of psoriasis. Various elements, however, could play a role:
- Genetics: Some people might have a family history of the disease, while others will not. It is possible for parents to pass it on to their children.
- Immune system: Psoriasis appears to be closely related to the functioning of our immune system. Our bodies normally require 28 to 30 days to generate new skin cells and shed the old. However, in psoriasis, the immune system becomes hyperactive. It then generates new skin cells at a faster speed, in less than 7 days. This means that your old skin cells accumulate on top of one another. This results in symptoms like itchy skin, thick red patches, and continuous shedding of old skin cells.
- External factors: Several external causes may "trigger" the development of psoriasis. These factors differ from person to person. What causes you psoriasis may not cause it in someone else. Stress, skin injury, hormonal changes, or certain infections and medications are all potential triggers.
- There must be more research done on the possible causes of psoriasis. This might help us in finding out more treatment options or cure for the psoriasis.