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What Exactly is Psoriasis?
By Ray Zimmerman
Very few individuals actually know what psoriasis is or what it looks like. So, what exactly is psoriasis? Lets start by saying that no one knows the exact cause of psoriasis but they do know that this condition is not contagious and cannot be cured. Psoriasis can be controlled by various means and can completely disappear after being properly treated. It is possible for this skin condition to return at any time in the future when triggered by certain events. It is thought that psoriasis may be caused by the immune system which causes the life cycle of skin cells to accelerate resulting in a buildup of rough, dead skin cells. When these skin cells accumulate on an individuals body they form thick, silvery scales and can become quite painful. The red patches that form are dry and will sometimes itch. In some sever cases, pus-filled blisters can form which require specialized treatment. The patches that form can vary from small spots to very large areas on the body. The signs and symptoms of psoriasis will vary from one individual to another. The various types of psoriasis are identified by their distinctive appearance. There are several different forms of psoriasis, which include the following. Plaque Psoriasis It is said that Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis. The symptoms of this form of psoriasis includes dry skin lesions, commonly referred to as plaques. These areas are usually pinkish-red in color and have the ability to occur anywhere on the body. In a milder cases, individuals may have just a few plaques on their body and in the more severe cases, an individual many have countless plaques all over their body. Some of the plaques that are located at the joints can actually crack which can cause bleeding to occur. Non-prescription creams containing cortisone may help to improve some of the milder cases of Plaque psoriasis. Sometimes, exposing the plaques to natural sunlight may also be beneficial. Moderate and severe cases may possibly require prescribed steroid creams or oral medications. Light therapy (also known as bright light therapy or phototherapy) is frequently used in the treatment of this condition. Scalp Psoriasis Scalp psoriasis also appears as red areas with silvery-white scales that sometimes itch. Individuals with this form of psoriasis may find flakes of dead skin on their shoulders which looks very similar to dandruff. These scaly patches may grow beyond the hairline and they may possibly bleed if they are scraped. The most commonly used treatments for this condition include prescribed oral medications, medicated shampoo and a steroid lotion or foam. Nail Psoriasis Generally speaking, you will only find Nail psoriasis when another form of psoriasis is present. For example, a person that has Plaque or Hair psoriasis may also have Nail psoriasis which can be found in an individual’s fingernails and toenails. When this occurs, the nail will become pitted and will display abnormal nail growth and discoloration. At times, the nail itself can separate from the nail bed and will become loose. It has been documented that in sever cases of Nail psoriasis, the nail can actually crumble away. Basically, treatment options for Nail psoriasis includes prescribed oral medications and light therapy. Guttate Psoriasis This form of psoriasis is usually activated by some type of bacterial infection such as strep throat. It's identified by small sores on an individual’s body which may include the abdomen, back, shoulders, arms, legs and scalp. As with other forms of psoriasis, the small sores are covered by a scales. The scales that are found in Guttate psoriasis are not as thick as those found in most other plaques. The initial outbreak may be contained to a single occurrence or an individual may experience additional outbreaks over a period of time. Guttate psoriasis usually responds well to treatment, which includes prescribed oral medications and steroid creams. Light therapy is also used in the treatment of this form of psoriasis. Identifying and treating the underlying infection will help to eliminate this condition more quickly. Inverse Psoriasis The majority of individuals with Inverse psoriasis are obese. This form of psoriasis is readily identified by the smooth patches of red, inflamed skin which is usually found in the armpit area, under the breasts, in the groin area and around the genitals. Inverse psoriasis differs with the previously mentioned forms of psoriasis because it does not have thick, silvery scales. Sweating and the friction caused by the skin rubbing together can aggravate this condition. Inverse psoriasis can usually be successfully treated with a prescribed oral medication. Pustular Psoriasis Pustular psoriasis can be identified by red and tender patches with pus-filled blisters that are usually found on the hands, fingertips or feet. This condition can quickly develop in just a matter of hours. The blisters typically dry and disappear within 1-2 days but may rematerialize periodically. Pustular psoriasis can be the result of an infection, the reaction to a medication, acute skin irritations or from light sensitivity. Smaller areas can be easily treated with a steroid cream while the larger areas generally require a prescribed oral medication to eliminate the underlying cause of this condition. After the blisters have been eliminated, light therapy can also be used. Erythrodermic Psoriasis This form of psoriasis can cover the entire body with a red, peeling rash. It has been documented that this condition may itch and can be accompanied with an acute burning of the skin. This is the least common form of psoriasis. Erythrodermic psoriasis can be caused by severe sunburn and because of light sensitivity during phototherapy treatments. It may also be caused by a reaction to certain medications or by another form of psoriasis that has not been controlled properly. Severe cases of this condition may require hospitalization. Typical treatment includes prescribed oral medication, topical steroids and medicated wet dressings. In Conclusion... Needless to say, psoriasis presents itself in many different forms and can cause severe hardships for those who are afflicted with any of these unsightly skin conditions. As with most diseases, early detection is paramount. Always seek immediate medical attention at the first signs of psoriasis. |
National Psoriasis Foundation
| WebMD Psoriasis Health Center
Psoriasis... a Treatable Skin Condition
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This intel was contributed by crawfish
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May, 2012
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