Psoriasis - Symptoms, Types, and Treatment
Published on Mar 16, 2019 and last reviewed on Feb 03, 2023 - 2 min read
Abstract
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by red and scaly lesions on the body, more commonly over the extensor surfaces of the body.
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by red and scaly lesions on the body, more commonly over the extensor surfaces of the body. Psoriasis is a multifactorial disease, meaning its exact cause is not known, but it is influenced by factors such as environment, genes, and infections.
What Are the Symptoms of Psoriasis?
The symptoms of psoriasis are itching and excessive scaliness. Patients of psoriasis have significant impairment in their quality of life due to depression and suffering associated with the disease. Apart from skin, it also affects the nails and joints of individuals. Patients suffering from it also have scalylesionsin the scalp.
This disease is now considered to be systemic because studies show that it involves not only skin but also affects other systems in the body. Psoriasis is commonly seen with metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of obesity, hypertension, and cardiac disease.
What Are the Types of Psoriasis?
The different types of psoriasis are:
- Psoriasis vulgaris (the most common and plaque-type).
- Guttate psoriasis.
- Erythroderma.
- Flexural psoriasis.
- Rupioid.
- Elephantine psoriasis.
What Are the Risk Factors?
It can occur at any age, in childhood, in adults, or old age. Sometimes, it gets precipitated during pregnancy. Psoriasis can be triggered by infections, drugs, sunlight, smoking, and alcohol.
How Is Psoriasis Treated?
Psoriasis is treated according to its severity.
- For mild disease, only topical steroids are enough. Other topical options are Dithranol, coal tar, and topical vitamin D analog. Phototherapy is a good option for its treatment especially if it is not responding to topical treatment.
- In systemic treatment, most commonly prescribed medicine is Methotrexate. Other options are Ciclosporin, Retinoids and newer biological agents that have significantly improved quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes an itchy, scaly rash on the knees, scalp, and trunk. Psoriasis is a common, chronic disease with no cure. It can be painful, disrupt sleep, and make it difficult to concentrate.
2.
What Are the Symptoms of Psoriasis?
The symptoms of psoriasis include cyclic rashes, itching, soreness, burning, cracked skin that may bleed, small scaling spots, rashes that vary in color, and a patchy rash that varies widely from person to person and looks like dandruff-like scaling on the body.
3.
How Is Psoriasis Cured?
In most cases, steroid creams or ointment are used to treat mild to moderate psoriasis. This treatment alleviates inflammation. It also reduces itching by slowing the production of skin cells. The potency of topical corticosteroids ranges from mild to high.
4.
How to Stop Psoriasis from Spreading?
Tips to control psoriasis include:
- Avoid smoking and alcohol.
- Avoid stress.
- Protect your skin.
- Eat a nutrient-dense diet.
- Get enough sleep.
- Use skin lotions.
5.
What Are the Food Items That a Psoriasis Patient Should Avoid?
The foods that should be avoided in case of psoriasis include the following.
- Red meat and dairy products as they contain arachnoid acid, which is a polyunsaturated fatty acid.
- Eggs.
- Gluten.
- Alcohol.
- Nightshade plants.
- Citrus foods.
6.
Why Does Psoriasis Spread Suddenly?
Flare-ups are common when certain triggers initiate the psoriasis process. The most common trigger of psoriasis is stress. During stress, our body releases chemicals that increase the inflammatory response.
7.
What Food Permanently Cures Psoriasis?
No diet will cure psoriatic disease. Still, eating healthy food can help reduce the severity of symptoms and the likelihood of developing comorbidities. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any diet.
Last reviewed at:
03 Feb 2023 - 2 min read
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Related Questions & Answers
Kindly comment on my psoriasis prescription.
Query: Hi doctor, I have been suffering from psoriasis in my palm. When I was 12 years old, I had this disease for the first time. After taking some medicines it disappeared. But, it used to come on and off. In the past one year, I have faced this problem quite often. In between, I had homeopathy. As it ca... Read Full »
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