Psoriasis
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a common, non contagious chronic skin disorder that appears in many different forms and can affect any part of the body.Psoriasis can affect any area of the body but it is most commonly found on the scalp, elbows, knees, hands, feet, and genitals. Psoriasis is classified as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the percentage of body surface involved and the affect it has on the patient's life.
There are different types of Psoriasis characterized by different signs and symptoms. Plaque psoriasis, the most common type is distinguished by raised, thickened patches of red skin covered with silvery-white scales. Pustular psoriasis is know for by pus-like blisters, erythrodermic psoriasis is characterized by extreme redness and swelling of a large part of the skin surface, guttate psoriasis is differentiated by small, drop-like cuts, and inverse psoriasis is known for smooth red cuts in the folds of the skin.
Most of the time psoriasis is almost unnoticeable in its early stages, but patients often report an itching or burning sensation as the disease progresses. Psoriasis is not contagious but can be inherited. Research has shown that the disease may result from a disorder in the immune system. Factors such as smoking, sun exposure, alcoholism, and HIV infection may affect how often the psoriasis occurs. Psoriasis affects children and adults and men and woman are affected equally.
Psoriasis Symptoms
There are several types of psoriasis. Symptoms for each type may vary in severity and appear in a wide array of combinations. In general, the major symptoms of psoriasis include:- Bright red areas of raised patches (plaques) on the skin, often covered with loose, silvery scales. Plaques can occur anywhere, but commonly they occur on the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet, or lower back. Nearly 90% of people with psoriasis have plaque-type psoriasis.
- Tiny areas of bleeding when skin scales are picked or scraped off (Auspitz's sign).
- Mild scaling to thick, crusted plaques on the scalp.
- Itching, especially during sudden flare-ups or when the psoriasis patches are in body folds, such as under the breasts or buttocks.
- Nail disorders. Nail disorders are common, especially in severe psoriasis. Nail symptoms include:
- Tiny pits in the nails (not found with fungal nail infections).
- Yellowish discoloration of the toenails and sometimes the fingernails.
- Separation of the end of the nail from the nail bed.
- Less often, a buildup of skin debris under the nails.
- Similar plaques in the same area on both sides of the body (for example, both knees or both elbows).
- Flare-ups of many raindrop-shaped patches. Called guttate psoriasis, this condition often follows a strep infection and is the second most common type of psoriasis. It affects less than 10% of those with psoriasis.
- Joint swelling, tenderness, and pain (psoriatic arthritis).
