Psoriasis

Overview of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-term) condition in which the immune system becomes overactive, causing skin cells to multiply too quickly. Areas of the skin become scaly and inflamed, most commonly on the scalp, elbows, or knees, but other parts of the body can also be affected. Scientists don't fully understand what causes psoriasis, but they do know that it involves a combination of genetics and environmental factors.

Symptoms of psoriasis can sometimes cycle, flaring for weeks or months, followed by periods when they subside or go into remission. There are many treatments for psoriasis, and your treatment plan will depend on the type and severity of the condition. Most forms of psoriasis are mild to moderate and can be successfully treated with creams or ointments. Addressing common triggers, such as stress and skin damage, can also help keep symptoms under control.

Having psoriasis comes with a risk of developing other serious conditions, including:

• Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints and where tendons and ligaments attach to bones (enthesis).
• Cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.
• Mental health problems such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.
• People with psoriasis may also be more likely to develop certain types of cancer, Crohn's disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, osteoporosis, uveitis (inflammation of the middle part of the eye), liver and kidney disease.

Who gets psoriasis?

Anyone can get psoriasis, but it is more common in adults than in children. It affects men and women equally.

Types of psoriasis

There are different types of psoriasis, including:

• Plaque psoriasis. This is the most common appearance and appears as raised red patches on the skin covered in silvery white scales. The spots usually develop symmetrically on the body and tend to appear on the scalp, trunk, and extremities, especially on the elbows and knees.
• Guttate psoriasis. This type usually appears in children or young adults and looks like small red dots, usually on the trunk or limbs. Outbreaks are often caused by an upper respiratory tract infection such as strep throat.
• Pustular psoriasis. In this type, pus-filled bumps called pustules appear surrounded by red skin. It usually affects the arms and legs, but there is a form that covers most of the body. Symptoms can be caused by medications, infections, stress, or certain chemicals.
• inverse psoriasis. This form appears as smooth red patches in skin folds, such as under the breasts, in the groin, or under the arms. Rubbing and sweating can aggravate the situation.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis. This is a rare but severe form of psoriasis characterized by red, scaly skin over much of the body. It can be caused by severe sunburn or certain medications such as corticosteroids. Erythrodermic psoriasis often develops in people with another type of psoriasis that is poorly controlled and can be very serious.

Symptoms of psoriasis

The symptoms of psoriasis vary from person to person, but some are common:

• Areas of thick, red skin with silvery-white scales that itch or burn, usually on the elbows, knees, scalp, trunk, palms, and soles of the feet.
• Dry, cracked, itchy, or bleeding skin.
• Thick, ribbed, pitted nails.

Some patients have a related condition called psoriatic arthritis, which is characterized by stiff, swollen, and painful joints. If you have symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible, as this is one of the most devastating forms of arthritis.

The symptoms of psoriasis tend to come and go. You may find that there are periods when your symptoms worsen, called flare-ups, followed by periods when you feel better.

Causes of psoriasis

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease, which means that your body's immune system becomes overactive and causes problems. If you have psoriasis, immune cells become active and produce molecules that trigger the rapid production of skin cells. This is why the skin of people with this condition is inflamed and flaky. Scientists don't fully understand what causes immune cells to malfunction, but they do know that it is due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Many people with psoriasis have a family history of the disease, and researchers have pinpointed some of the genes that may contribute to its development. Almost all of them play a role in the functioning of the immune system.

Some external factors that can increase your chance of developing psoriasis include:

• Infections, especially streptococcal and HIV infections.
• Certain medicines, such as those used to treat heart disease, malaria, or mental health problems.
• Smoking.
• Obesity.