Psoriasis is a skin condition that goes on for an extended period of time. It occurs when the immune system of the body is compromised. As a result, skin transformation takes place, and various other symptoms can be noticed as well. In the following article, you can get al the important information and facts about the psoriasis.

Types of Psoriasis

There are numerous categories of psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. The disorder includes spots on the skin. Severe itching and pain can also be felt on the patches of the skin caused in psoriasis. The patches can appear anywhere on the skin as there is no definite pattern of psoriasis, and this condition affects different people. Usually, the plaques appear on the scalp, back, knees, and elbows.

Causes

Many types of research are being conducted to study the causes and effects of psoriasis. Yet, no definite cause has been associated with this skin condition. A combination of genetic and immune factors is known to play a part in causing psoriasis. The symptoms of psoriasis appear and disappear, depending on numerous situations. During remission, the patches disappear. While during the flare-ups, the symptoms deteriorate

Genetic influences

Psoriasis is a severe skin disorder that causes skin changes. According to medical experts, it is possible that people with psoriasis may posses a definite type of genetic pool that increases the chances of the condition. It can run it, family, as well. However, it is not always true that people with these genetic markers get psoriasis.

The genetic markers can increase the risk of people developing psoriasis. For example, infection or too much stress may act as a catalyst for people with a particular genetic feature to get the symptoms of psoriasis.

Environmental reasons

A person can have genetic characteristics that make them vulnerable to psoriasis but not have the disorder. Nonetheless, contact with certain activates can result in symptoms of psoriasis to appear. Possible triggers of psoriasis include tension and anxiety, smoking, skin wounds, some specific types of drugs, bacterial or fungal infections

According to some people, alterations in the weather, allergies, and nutritional aspects also affect the intensity of the symptoms of psoriasis. Some of these conditions or influences can be triggers for the growth of psoriasis and a flare when the disorder becomes bad.

Skin Patches During Psoriasis

Psoriasis can cause changes in the nail structure. In plaque psoriasis, the nails turn pink, which can become infected and itchy. Plaques are much darker like intense white or silver patches on the black skin. Though plaques are likely to appear anywhere on the body, scalp, back, knees, and elbows are more vulnerable to them.

Other Symptoms of Psoriasis

Patches and spots on the skin are the major symptoms of plaque psoriasis. However, it has many other symptoms, as well. Symptoms vary from person to person, but some of them are changes in nails colours, breaking of the nails, joint pain. Arthritis can also occur due to severe pain and inflammation.

Flares

Symptoms of psoriasis come and go depending on different situations and flares. A flare means the times during which the symptoms of diseases gets terrible. It can go on for numerous weeks or even months. The symptoms improve as well as deteriorate during the flares. As a result, the whole cycle keeps repeating.

Multiple Disorders (Comorbidities)

Psoriasis affects the human body on various levels. It has severe impacts on every sector of someone suffering from this condition. People with psoriasis commonly experience the conditions like a combination of autoimmune disorders, such as Crohn’s disease, cardiac diseases, hypertension, metabolic disorders leading to weight problems, diabetes, anxiety and depression.

Psoriasis and other conditions

Medical researches have associated many other conditions with psoriasis as well. A definite link between plaque psoriasis and few of the other disorders has not been established yet. According to medical experts, people with psoriasis should have regular screening for diabetes, cholesterol level, and get checked for other cardiac and health issues.

Conditions with similar symptoms

The symptoms of plaque psoriasis are very similar to some of the other conditions. As a result, the misdiagnosis of psoriasis has come extremely common. Conditions with similar symptoms of the plaque psoriasis are seborrheic eczema, pityriasis Rosea, Alibert-Bazin syndrome, Lichenoid keratoses, Tinea corporis, Atopic dermatitis (eczema), and Sebopsoriasis. Sebopsoriasis is the combination of Seborrheic eczema and psoriasis.

Diagnosis

Plaque psoriasis can be diagnosed by a doctor by examining the skin and nails. Moreover, medical history is important to diagnose psoriasis as it genetically runs in the family as well. If a proper diagnosis cannot be made, a skin biopsy is performed for confirmation. In this biopsy, a small sample of the patient is taken and observed under a microscope. A biopsy is important in narrowing down the possible skin condition.

When to see a doctor

If you are experiencing any kind of rare transformation in the skin or nails, you should consult a doctor. Moreover, people diagnosed with psoriasis should follow the treatment plan to lead an effective life. If your symptoms worsen or the treatment is not yielding any positive impact, you should see the doctor.

Treatment

Unfortunately, even with tons of researches about psoriasis, no definite cure has been found. Various treatment and management plans are devised according to the specific condition and seriousness of the symptoms of psoriasis.

Some of these treatment options are treatments using creams, and ointments to lessen skin symptoms, UV therapy to minimize the symptoms like the patches on the skin and even avert flares, laser therapy is also used to target definite spots and patches on the skin, medicinal injections to decrease the inflammation, drugs to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis, and an effective and healthy lifestyle options to lead a good life with psoriasis.

Topical treatments

Topical treatments are useful in managing the mild symptoms of psoriasis. They are usually the first option of treatment. Ingredients of the topical treatments are emollients, corticosteroids, vitamin D, ammoniated mercury, and topical retinoids

Using the topical creams, lotions, or ointments is helpful in reducing the symptoms of skin disorder as the ingredients present can diminish inflammation, reduce the rate of skin cell growth, calm the skin, decrease dryness and cracking, and make the patches less itchy

It is recommended that you consult a doctor or a medical expert before selecting a topical treatment. Some of the treatments may not be suitable to everyone, so medical opinion is essential in choosing an effective topical treatment. Moreover, there is a lack of research in this area, so some products are not necessarily beneficial as they are not supported by any scientific research.

Systemic treatments

Systemic treatments mean oral medicines or injections are used to regular serious cases of plaque psoriasis. These medicines impact the full body. Such types of drugs are methotrexate, neoral or sandimmune, and acitretin

Systemic therapy greatly helps in reducing the inflammation and altering the response of the immune system. A doctor is responsible for keeping regulating and monitoring any other side effects of such medicines.

Biologics

Biologics target the immune system specifically. Moreover, the fundamental cause of psoriasis is targeted. Many biologics have been invented and innovated by the scientist over time. A doctor will prescribe a suitable biologic to the patient, depending upon the severity of psoriasis.

Phototherapy

In phototherapy, natural or artificial light is used to minimize the symptoms of plaque psoriasis.  In phototherapy, the patient come into measured contact with sunlight or exposed to UV Rays in a lightbox. Moreover, photochemotherapy (PUVA) is used to treat severe skin conditions. It is a combination of UVA exposure and appropriate drugs is used.

Laser therapy

Laser therapy is also an option for people suffering from plaque psoriasis. In laser therapy, the laser is targeted on skin lesions precisely to cause the breakdown of the skin patches. It has become massively popular and effective for reducing the symptoms of psoriasis in recent times.

Lifestyle and natural therapies

Other than the treatment plans, management of the psoriasis is also important through living a healthy lifestyle.  Skin-care tips for people with psoriasis are that they should use hypoallergenic products, use warm water and try to take a short bath every day, do no scrub off your skin as it will cause irritation. Wash the body gently, moisturize the skin with a good hypoallergenic emollient after taking a bath.

Alcohol, excessive caffeine, tobacco and stress should be avoided to prevent flares of the disease. Moreover, proper rest and sleep are necessary.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is likely to occur in people with psoriasis. Consult your doctor for this as you may need vitamin D supplements, along with controlled exposure to the sunlight, to fulfill this deficiency.

Natural Remedies

According to a study, the natural remedies that are helpful in reducing the symptoms of psoriasis are Qing dai (a Chinese herb), curcumin, healthy dietary changes, fish oil as it is a good source of the vitamins that help in controlling the symptoms, and acupuncture

Conclusion

Plaque psoriasis is a usual condition that can be managed with the help of topical treatments. However, severe cases of plaque psoriasis require immediate medical help. In severe conditions, radical treatment options like UV therapy are used.

People with changes occurring in their skin or having unusual join pain should go see a doctor get their condition diagnosed as soon as possible.