Psoriasis

• Types Of Psoriasis

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes excess skin growth. Psoriasis is linked to diabetes, heart disease and depression. There are five different types of psoriasis, with varying degrees of symptoms. It is possible for treatment for one form of psoriasis to result in the development of a different type of psoriasis.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a skin condition where the immune system triggers rapid skin growth. Every day people shed layers of skin naturally and the skin cells develop to replace the skin. When people suffer from psoriasis, an excess amount of skin is produced every day. This leads to a build up of skin that appears as hard red, dry patches of skin.

Psoriasis is caused by an immune system problem, however there are certain triggers that can prompt a psoriasis attack. 

Symptoms of psoriasis

Psoriasis can affect a small area or all of the body. Some patients are unaware they suffer from the condition; for others the appearance of their skin indicates a problem.The severity of psoriasis depends on the type of the condition.

Psoriasis shows as small raised lumps of pink/red dry skin, commonly first appearing on the knees, hands and scalp.

Psoriasis skin often falls off in large flakes - when psoriasis develops on the scalp patients often confuse the condition with dandruff.

Different types of psoriasis have slightly different symptoms and the small blisters on the skin may present instead of hardened lumps of skin.

Areas of the body affected by psoriasis

Psoriasis can affect any area of the body covered in skin. The elbows, knees and scalp are commonly affected. Genital psoriasis is common in males.

Inverse psoriasis often affects overweight people and psoriasis appears underneath the folds of breasts, in the crease of the buttocks and underneath the arms.

Psoriasis can develop on the nails and is often mistaken for a nail fungus.

Psoriasis can also cause a form of arthritis known as psoriasis arthritis and affects the joints.

Psoriasis Treatment

There is no cure for psoriasis. Treatment for psoriasis involves easing the pain and discomfort caused by symptoms and preventing further development of the condition.

PUVA treatment, used to treat a number of dermatological conditions, is effective at managing the symptoms of psoriasis. PUVA involves a patient being exposed to ultra violet (UV) light for a controlled period of time along with taking the drug psoralen.

Laser therapy may be used as an alternative to PUVA and has proven to be as effective.

To reduce the appearance of psoriasis, patients are advised to expose the skin to regular sunlight but to ensure to wear sunscreen as skin affected by psoriasis is prone to sunburn.  

For more information about the condition and for treatment advice, contact a dermatologist .